As part of the joint award ceremony of the Corporate Climate Protection Network (UNK) and the European programme Young Energy Europe (YEE), the German Federal Ministry for the Environment and the German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DIHK) honoured the best projects of the current Scout cohort at the House of German Business.

IHks Train Over 1,000 Energy Scouts Annually

The trainees and young professionals systematically identify potential savings in energy and resources within their companies and independently implement efficiency measures. In doing so, they not only contribute to climate protection but also help their companies to save costs and become more resilient to market changes.

Each year, around 65 Chambers of Commerce and Industry (IHKs) across Germany qualify over 1,000 Energy Scouts in German companies. At the same time, the German Chambers of Commerce Abroad (AHKs) trained 263 Energy Scouts last year in ten European countries as part of Young Energy Europe. The best projects are determined annually in a competition and celebrated at the joint award ceremony in Berlin.

Schneider: Climate Protection Pays Off Quickly

© BMUKN/ Sascha Hilgers

Federal Environment Minister Carsten Schneider:
"Climate protection pays off quickly and thus acts as a key driver for innovation and value creation. The Energy Scouts projects illustrate this very vividly. The trainees showed an acute awareness of untapped potentials and immediately put them into practice. With this experience, they are well-prepared for their further careers and are a real asset to their companies. If the successful Energy Scout concept also finds imitators in Central and Eastern Europe, it proves to be a vital pan-European component for companies on the path to climate neutrality."

Adrian: "Savings Potential Directly in Everyday Work"

© DIHK / Werner Schuering

DIHK President Peter Adrian:
"The Scouts demonstrate that climate protection within companies begins with specific measures. They identify savings potential directly in everyday work and develop economically viable approaches. They then implement these jointly within the company. With their ideas, expertise, and sense for practical improvements, they create solutions that benefit both climate protection and businesses."

This Year’s Winners Among the German Teams

A total of 68 teams qualified for the national award ceremony via regional competitions in Germany. This year's winners of the special German awards particularly impressed with their projects in the categories of Energy and Climate, Resource Efficiency, and Biodiversity. This year marks the tenth anniversary of the award ceremony.

Energy & Climate: Tremonia Mobility GmbH and H. & J. Brüggen KG

In the "Energy & Climate (Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises)" category, the jury recognised the project of Tremonia Mobility GmbH, which focuses on optimising the compressed air system in the production area. Through technical adjustments and more efficient use of compressed air by staff, the company saves approximately 25,000 kilowatt hours of energy and about 9.5 tonnes of CO₂ annually; the annual cost saving is around 5,500 euros.

In the "Energy & Climate (Large Companies)" category, the jury awarded H. & J. Brüggen KG for a project to optimise the control of production ovens. Staggered shutdowns of heating zones save approximately 9,900 cubic metres of natural gas annually, corresponding to a reduction of about 20 tonnes of CO₂; the cost saving amounts to approximately 15,000 euros per year.

Resource Efficiency: Dr. Hahn GmbH & Co. KG

In the "Resource Efficiency" category, Dr. Hahn GmbH & Co. KG won with a project to optimise packaging processes in production. By adjusting packaging machines and using film material more efficiently, the company saves approximately 66 megawatt hours of energy, about 66 tonnes of CO₂, and around 4.7 million packaging bags annually; the yearly cost saving is approximately 12,000 euros.

Biodiversity: Gestamp Umformtechnik GmbH

In the "Biodiversity" category, Gestamp Umformtechnik GmbH secured the award with a project to ecologically enhance the factory premises. By transforming a previously mowed lawn area into diverse planting areas with five extra apple trees and insect and small animal habitats made from reused materials, the project sustainably strengthens biodiversity at the location; the project was largely implemented through donations and reuse.

European Energy Scouts: Platform for Knowledge Transfer

The Energy Scouts programme promotes the exchange of practical experiences among young professionals from different countries. In 2025, the 263 Energy Scouts from 100 companies identified specific savings potential in 112 projects, making measurable contributions to energy and resource efficiency in their companies.

The measures implemented lead to annual cost savings of around nine million euros. A significant portion is attributed to reducing electricity consumption by nearly 33 gigawatt hours per year, complemented by decreased use of fossil fuels like natural gas, heating oil, and fuels. Overall, the Energy Scouts calculated a potential to avoid about 26,000 tonnes of CO₂ annually in their operational processes.

The recognition of the 26 best Energy Scouts teams from ten European countries highlights the tangible results achievable through international collaboration and practical projects.

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