Q: What does the Net-Zero Standard involve?

The <a href="https://sciencebasedtargets.org/resources/files/Net-Zero-Standard.pdf" title="https://sciencebasedtargets.org/resources/files/Net-Zero-Standard.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer">SBTi's new Net-Zero-Standard</a> is the world’s first framework for corporate net-zero CO2 target setting in line with climate science. It includes the guidance, criteria and recommendations companies need to set science-based net-zero CO2 targets consistent with limiting global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius. According to the SBTi, MVV is net zero compatible, meaning that the company will be able to reduce its CO2 emissions along the whole of the value chain to net zero by 2040 at the latest. What counts here is the actual reduction in CO2 emissions, also at customers and suppliers, without any use of offsetting certificates or projects.

Question 1

What does the Net-Zero Standard involve?

Accepted Answer

The SBTi's new Net-Zero-Standard is the world’s first framework for corporate net-zero CO₂ target setting in line with climate science. It includes the guidance, criteria and recommendations companies need to set science-based net-zero CO₂ targets consistent with limiting global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius.

According to the SBTi, MVV is net zero compatible, meaning that the company will be able to reduce its CO₂ emissions along the whole of the value chain to net zero by 2040 at the latest. What counts here is the actual reduction in CO₂ emissions, also at customers and suppliers, without any use of offsetting certificates or projects.

Question 2

What is the SBTi and how does it work?

Accepted Answer

The Science Based Target Initiative (SBTi ) is an association of international non-government organisations (NGOs) that includes the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP), the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC), the World Resources Institute (WRI) and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF).

The criteria referred to by the SBTi when validating corporate climate targets are regularly adjusted in line with the latest findings of climate research. Participating companies and organisations are only certified after a science-based review process lasting several months. The most ambitious possible target is net zero.

Question 3

What role does MVV play at the SBTi?

Accepted Answer

As pioneers, we have been involved from the very outset and had our targets scientifically reviewed and certified. Our decarbonisation targets were verified by the SBTi as being compatible with the 1.5-degree trajectory in 2021 and as net zero compatible in 2022. Both in 2021 and in 2022, MVV was the first German energy company to receive certification for its climate protection strategy based on the SBTi’s strict criteria for each respectively higher standard.

The net zero certification newly awarded by the SBTi is not only a confirmation of our climate targets. Above all, it is a confirmation of our strategy that sets out our path to becoming a #climatepositive company. With our ambitious targets, we are therefore a global leader when it comes to climate protection.

That said, net zero, i.e. climate neutrality, is only an interim step for us. That is because we will become #climatepositive from 2040 at the latest.

Our SBTi history:

2022: First German energy company with confirmed net zero targets

2021: First German energy company with confirmed 1.5-degree targets

2020: First German energy company with confirmed 2-degree targets

2015: MVV was the first European company to commit to the SBTi’s science-based climate targets – even before the Paris Climate Agreement.

Question 4

Which CO2 targets were certified?

Accepted Answer

The net zero targets that have been certified are the same as those underpinning our Mannheim Model. They are merely defined by reference to more technical aspects and based on the SBTi’s strict logic.

The certification refers to net zero, i.e. climate neutrality, by the target year 2040. The “climate positive” statement currently cannot be certified by the SBTi, as this is not possible based on its existing assessment criteria.

The SBTi stipulates highly precise targets for participating companies, which are in turn subdivided into various subtopics. Here is an overview of the targets and their allocation to our own climate protection targets.

Public MVV target based on SBTi standards	Refers to	Associated MVV target
Multinational German energy company MVV Energie AG commits to reduce Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions by 83% per kWh by 2030 from a 2018 base year.*	Scope 1	“Reduction of more than 80% by 2030 compared with 2018”
MVV Energie AG commits to reduce scope 1 and 3 GHG emissions from all sold electricity by 83% per kWh by 2030 from a 2018 base year.*	Electricity generation and sales Scopes 1 and 3	“Reduction of more than 80% by 2035 compared with 2018”
MVV Energie AG commits to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions across the value chain by 2040 from a 2018 base year.*	Scopes 1, 2, 3	“Climate neutral at the latest by 2040”
MVV Energie AG commits to reduce scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions by 99.8% per kWh by 2040 from a 2018 base year.*	Scopes 1, 2
MVV Energie AG commits to reduce scope 1 and 3 GHG emissions from all sold electricity by 99% per kWh by 2040 from a 2018 base year.*	Electricity generation and sales Scopes 1 and 3
MVV Energie AG commits to reduce absolute scope 3 GHG emissions from use of sold products by 99% by 2040 from a 2018 base year.	Subset Scope 3, especially gas sales
MVV Energie AG commits to reduce all other absolute scope 3 GHG emissions by 95% by 2040 from a 2018 base year.	Subset Scope 3
*The target boundary includes biogenic emissions and removals from bioenergy feedstocks	Inclusion of biogenic emissions

You can find the SBTi certification here

Question 5

Does the delivery of the sewage sludge lead to a higher traffic load in the neighbourhood of the industrial park?

Accepted Answer

The number of truck movements will increase. Due to the very good location of the industrial park with its link to the B2 federal road, adjacent residential areas will only be slightly affected by the truck movements. All available synergies will be used for the supply, empty truck journeys will be avoided as far as possible.

Question 6

How are these pollutants eliminated?

Accepted Answer

The sewage sludge is first dried and then incinerated. This leads to the decomposition of pollutants. Heavy metals are effectively removed by the filter devices installed. The flue gas cleaning system at the new plant will filter out the residues in a multistage process after incineration.

The combustion complies with the strict emission limits of the 17th BImSchV. The plant is operated according to the latest state of the art and is continuously monitored. In addition, annual individual measurements are carried out by an approved external measuring institute. All measured values are transmitted to the supervising authorities and evaluated there.

These measurement results are published in the annual environmental statement of MVV Industriepark Gersthofen GmbH.

Question 7

How can sewage sludge be disposed of sensibly and sustainably?

Accepted Answer

The thermal recycling of sewage sludge in mono-incineration plants creates the basis for the recovery of phosphorus from the ash. The legally required recycling process is a prerequisite for the planned construction of such a plant in the Gersthofen Industrial Park.

Question 8

How is the sewage sludge delivered and stored?

Accepted Answer

The sludge is delivered by truck. The sewage sludge is unloaded in the delivery hall and temporarily stored in closed silos. The delivery hall is equipped with an extraction system.

Question 9

Is an increased odour nuisance to be expected?

Accepted Answer

No odour nuisance is to be expected from delivery in a closed hall with extraction.

Question 10

What does "thermal recycling" mean?

Accepted Answer

Thermal recycling means that the sewage sludge is first dried and then incinerated. The resulting heat is used as an energy source in the Gersthofen industrial park. The valuable phosphorus content can be recovered from the combustion ash.

Question 11

What happens to the ash from the sewage sludge recycling plant?

Accepted Answer

There are valuable phosphorus components in the sewage sludge ash. With an appropriate treatment process, it is possible to recover these proportions. This raw material, which is only available in limited quantities worldwide, is needed, among other things, for the production of fertilizers. The processes required for recycling are currently in the development stage.

Question 12

What is it about the extraction of phosphorus?

Accepted Answer

Phosphorus can be recovered from the ashes of incinerated sewage sludge. This valuable and globally limited raw material is needed, for example, for the production of fertilizers. There are no natural deposits in Germany; phosphorus must be imported. The phosphorus recycling process is currently in the development stage.

Question 13

What is the timetable for the sewage sludge utilisation plant?

Accepted Answer

Construction and approval applications have been submitted to the authorities. The hearing took place in the form of an online consultation in March 2022, and approval by the Government of Swabia is expected in the 1^st quarter of 2023.

Question 14

What makes Gersthofen Industrial Park an ideal location for a sewage sludge incineration plant?

Accepted Answer

Gersthofen is located at the heart of the Bavarian-Swabia region and has optimal transport links. That means short transport routes for the sewage sludge. Not only that: To date, there are no sewage sludge incineration plants in the Greater Augsburg region.

We can draw on synergies offered by the infrastructure available at the existing power plant, the modern control centre and above all the valuable expertise on hand with our staff.

The waste heat from incineration can be directly integrated into the energy supply at the industrial park.

Sewage sludge is a regenerative fuel, meaning that the energy produced is classified as CO₂ neutral. That is an important aspect in the sustainable development of Gersthofen Industrial Park.

The new plant will enable us to safeguard the location and create several new jobs.

Question 15

What pollutants are contained in sewage sludge?

Accepted Answer

The sewage sludge collected at sewage plants is contaminated by pollutants from domestic wastewater, such as cleaning agents, ingredients of medicines, non-degradable micro-plastics and DIY chemicals. The sludge may also be contaminated by organic compounds that are introduced into the wastewater via municipal surface drainage (such as road drainage and tyre abrasion). These pollutants cannot be degraded at a sewage plant!

Question 16

What quantities can be burned in the new plant and how will the energy be used?

Accepted Answer

The planned plant is designed for the use of digested (i.e. stabilised) and dewatered or dried sewage sludge from municipal wastewater purification plants. The plant capacity depends on the water content of the sewage sludge delivered. That results in the difference to the annual capacity of 85,000 tonnes up to a maximum of 116,800 tonnes stated in the approval application.

The surplus heat from incineration will be used to cover demand at Gersthofen Industrial Park.

Question 17

Where does the sludge come from?

Accepted Answer

The sewage sludge comes from municipal sewage treatment plants in the region, with a large part coming from Augsburg. We thus offer the surrounding communities a safe, reliable and environmentally friendly, but also legally compliant disposal route.

Question 18

Why can the sewage sludge not be disposed of as before?

Accepted Answer

Up to now, sewage sludge has either been spread as fertiliser on agricultural fields or co-incinerated in coal-fired power plants and domestic waste incineration plants.

To protect groundwater, the Fertiliser Ordinance severely restricts or in some cases entirely prohibits the disposal of sewage sludge via agricultural channels. Over-fertilisation with sewage sludge may increase the pH value of the water and pollute it with environmentally harmful heavy metals.

Not only that: The Sewage Sludge Ordinance calls for the phosphorous contained in the sewage sludge to be recycled. This means that it is no longer possible to co-incinerate sewage sludge at energy from waste plants and makes it necessary to treat the sludge at specialised mono-combustion plants. Moreover, the planned coal exit means that disposal via co-incineration at coal-fired plants is no longer assured.

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