Gmund constantly strives to minimize emissions of greenhouse gases. During the past two years, Gmund has reduced emissions of carbon dioxide by an additional 25% and simultaneously increased from 71% to 75% the percentage of electrical current that Gmund produces from regenerative energy sources.
Even ultramodern technology has not yet made it possible to manufacture paper entirely without generating CO₂. Gmund will compensate for unavoidable CO₂ emissions generated through the production of GMUND - ACT GREEN by supporting a monitored climate-protection project in Central America.

WHY CLIMATE NEUTRAL?

The warming of our planet by the greenhouse effect is a global phenomenon. The climate-neutrality principle is based on this realization. To compensate for emissions generated at one location, climate-protection projects can be supported elsewhere on Earth. For climate-neutral paper, exactly the same amounts of emissions that are generated in the production process are offset by supporting a climate-protection project at a different location, e.g. a hydroelectric project in Guatemala.

WHY CLIMATE-NEUTRAL PAPER?

It is not yet too late to mitigate the consequences of global climate change. Action is urgently necessary, especially to minimize emissions of greenhouse gases such as CO₂. Increased concentrations of atmospheric CO₂ and other greenhouse gases lead to the so-called “greenhouse effect” and thus exacerbate global warming. CO₂ emissions are also caused when paper is manufactured. The present state of technology can reduce, but not entirely eliminate emissions of greenhouse gases such as CO₂, but it is possible to compensate for these discharges by reducing emissions elsewhere.

WHY WATER POWER IN GUATEMALA?

Water power has a centuries-old tradition in the paper industry. Gmund too has used the regenerative energy of water for more than 180 years. Gmund’s own turbines presently generate more than 50% of the electrical energy needed for Gmund’s manufacturing processes.

Guatemala is not a wealthy industrialized nation. Domestic funding is not available there for investments in climate protection. The country must rely on outside assistance.

The climate-protection project that Gmund is supporting:
- Substitutes electricity produced by water power for electrical current that
   would otherwise be generated by burning fossil fuels
- Creates 400 jobs during the construction phase and 30 permanent jobs    afterwards
- Provides greater energy security for Guatemala
- Expands the power grid to deliver current to ca. 5,000 more people
- Reforests the shores of the Aguacapa River, thus reducing erosion and enabling
   plants and soils to capture more carbon