Mayor and Head of the Environment Department Christiane Hinninger says: “Whether it’s manufacturing, the insurance industry, the gaming and lottery sector, or municipal institutions—all participants demonstrate through their actions how sustainability can be put into practice in day-to-day operations. They are taking responsibility and making it clear just how much companies can achieve, both on a large and small scale.”

Dr. Klaus Friedrich, head of the Environmental Office, welcomed the workshop participants alongside host Michael Meiers, CEO of SV SparkassenVersicherung Holding AG. “Even after more than 25 years, businesses continue to participate in ÖKOPROFIT Wiesbaden with the same enthusiasm,” says Friedrich. “In doing so, they impressively demonstrate that more sustainable business practices represent a real benefit for both companies and the environment.”

The projects presented range from the construction of a new storage facility for drums and containers holding hazardous substances to the more efficient use of office space in light of the rise in remote work. Other companies are improving their energy balance by switching to LED lighting and implementing demand-based heating controls. Additionally, educational programs on sustainability are raising employee awareness about the conscious use of resources.

The construction of a 527-square-meter drum and container storage facility by Erbslöh Geisenheim GmbH was named the best initiative among the companies. This initiative helps minimize environmental risks and reduce truck transport and emissions. This saves over 3,000 liters of diesel and more than eight metric tons of carbon dioxide per year. The Kunsthaus took first place among municipal participants, impressing the audience with its measures to conserve heating energy. In total, by adjusting heating to actual usage in twelve studios and the Kunsthalle, 15,000 kilowatt-hours of heating energy and three metric tons of carbon dioxide can be saved annually.

In total, the participating businesses can save approximately 16 metric tons of carbon dioxide, just under 60,000 kilowatt-hours of energy, and around 122,000 euros annually through the measures presented. Further measures will be developed until the project’s conclusion and presented in April 2027 as part of the certification process.

What makes this round special is that, as part of the expanded ÖKOPROFIT+Klima program, participants prepare a carbon footprint assessment for their company’s location in addition to obtaining environmental management certification. This enables them to systematically track their emissions and comply with political and legal requirements.

Evelyne Wickop, head of the Environmental Management Division at the Environmental Agency, says: “For many years, not only companies of all sizes and industries but also government agencies, municipal enterprises, and city-owned corporations have been participating in ÖKOPROFIT. The next round begins in spring 2027, and informational sessions are already being offered.”

ÖKOPROFIT is a nationwide, recognized environmental and climate protection program in which businesses lay the groundwork for corporate environmental and climate management and expand their activities within a strong network. The City’s Environmental Office is responsible for managing this collaborative project between the city and the business community; partners include the Wiesbaden Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IHK Wiesbaden), ESWE Versorgungs AG, and the Wiesbaden Climate Protection Agency (Klimaschutzagentur Wiesbaden e.V.).

Further information and registration details can be found at www.wiesbaden.de/oekoprofit (opens in a new tab).

The ÖKOPROFIT participants in the 2026/2027 introductory program are:

1. DEURAG Deutsche Rechtsschutz-Versicherung AG

2. Erbslöh Geisenheim GmbH

3. Cultural Affairs Office of the State Capital of Wiesbaden, Kunsthaus 

4. Department of Economic Affairs and Employment of the State Capital of Wiesbaden

5. SEG Wiesbaden mbH

6. Spielbank Wiesbaden GmbH & Co. KG

7. WiBau GmbH