Why we need to change today for a clean tomorrow

We are in a new phase of the energy transition. Everywhere you look, businesses and national governments are publicly recognizing the need to change and are making bold commitments to reach net zero in the coming decades.

This is, of course, the right thing to do – but it’s also vital for business. Whether it’s adapting to new standards and regulations, managing reputational risk, or evolving their business model while maintaining existing lines of revenue, organizations face considerable external challenges.

In Germany, we are blessed with one of the largest and arguably the most innovative industrial and manufacturing sectors in the world. Companies in chemicals, glass and ceramics, pulp and paper, metals, automotive and FMCG – as well as our municipal utilities – are the powerhouse of the German economy and essential drivers of growth and jobs.

These industries, however, are highly energy intensive. Leaders in these sectors know they must find lower-carbon solutions and are beginning to make firm net-zero commitments. But getting there is another matter. Simply knowing where to start can be a challenge and even those who have made great strides so far may need help understanding how they can best incorporate future technologies.

The important thing here is that there is no off-the-shelf approach to decarbonization. As businesses, we all face specific circumstances and financial realities, and our journeys to net-zero will all look different.

This journey does, though, need to be secure and sustainable, with a bespoke plan that encompasses everything from industrial processes and energy supply to technologies that are not yet commercially available. To proceed on this journey, businesses need a true partner – someone that can come in, understand their situation, and implement the right measures to the right areas at the right time.

I’m incredibly proud, therefore, to announce Uniper’s commitment to be our customers’ go-to partner for decarbonization solutions, offering both planning and execution. Our purpose to empower energy evolution - built on decades of experience as an energy innovator - coupled with our market know-how and investment in future technologies like hydrogen, means that we can help businesses create meaningful change today while setting them on the road to a net-zero future.

We have first-hand experience of the challenges these organizations face. After all, we are decarbonizing our own business and have committed to becoming carbon-neutral in our European generation by 2035 and across our entire organization by 2050. We’ve taken some significant steps and still have a long way to go, but the important thing is that we know where we are headed.

Whatever your situation, whatever your timeline and whatever your challenges, Uniper will help you change today for a clean tomorrow.