The Association of Climate Protection Companies and its founding member ebm-papst Group welcomed numerous representatives from politics, business and science as organizers of the Climate Protection Day. The event offered a wide range of specialist forums and workshops on topics such as: digital innovations, climate communication, CSRD, climate qualification and securing skilled workers.

To kick off the Climate Action Day, Dr Robert Habeck, Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection, welcomed all participants via video and highlighted the enormous potential of digitalization, saying that it helps to "make our economy more efficient, technologically advanced and greener." Digitalization could, for example, significantly accelerate the increase in energy efficiency in the building and industrial sector. The calculated savings potential through digitalization alone is estimated to be up to 30 percent. Habeck appealed: "I can only encourage you all to take advantage of the great opportunities offered by digitalization in your transformation towards climate neutrality."

Habeck praised the ebm-papst heroes of the future, the company's apprentices, who he said play a major role on the road to climate neutrality. "They contribute their ideas to climate protection and are constantly expanding them. With their commitment to a sustainable future, the young generation is showing how we can shape the future together. That impresses me. We need more of that." With regard to the climate protection companies and the Climate Protection Day, Habeck explained: "I know that the climate protection companies have exactly the right conditions to get started with the future. Where else, if not here?"

Thekla Walker, Minister for the Environment, Climate and Energy of the State of Baden-Württemberg: "Successful climate protection is only possible together - for a climate-neutral future to succeed, we all have to pull together! That's why opportunities for exchange such as today's Climate Protection Day in Heilbronn are important in order to learn from each other and to take away innovative best practices for our own actions. Companies like you are important role models: With your ambitious climate protection measures, you are protecting the environment and showing that it can be done!"

Game changer digitalization and artificial intelligence

The two hosts Jörg Schmidt, Chairman of the Board of the Climate Protection Companies, and Dr. Klaus Geißdörfer, Managing Director of the ebm-papst Group, emphasized the importance of corporate climate protection for the green transformation in their welcoming address. The two hosts see digitalization in particular as a key driver of innovation that enables efficiency gains and opens up new opportunities that ultimately benefit people and the environment.

Jörg Schmidt: "The right use of digitalization and artificial intelligence can become a game changer in order to achieve our climate protection goals faster. The Climate Protection Day is an excellent platform for exchanging ideas and learning from one another. True to our association motto: 'Think ahead, set an example, lead the way!"

Dr. Klaus Geißdörfer: "Sustainability is not a burden, but a significant added value. That is my clear conviction and my motivation. As a society, we must work closely together and create solutions for a better climate. As co-host of this year's Climate Protection Day and a proud member of the Climate Protection Companies, we are delighted to help shape a platform that promotes the all-important exchange and transfer of knowledge on the topic of climate protection."

The right mindset and heartset for transformation

In a keynote speech, futurologist Prof. Dr. Anabel Ternès von Hattburg spoke about how the revolution through leadership requires a new mindset and approach to manage a multifaceted transformation. She explained how a new mindset and heartset are crucial to tackling today's challenges and enabling sustainable change. Prof. Dr. Anabel Ternès von Hattburg emphasized: "Only when we are ready to transform our thinking and feeling can we create true leadership and positive change in the world."

The main panel of the Climate Protection Day was dedicated to the current transformation challenges facing companies, politicians and consumers. The central question discussed was: How can the green transformation megaproject be successfully driven forward over the next 20 years?

The Climate Protection Day was organized by the Association of Climate Protection Companies together with the Future Heroes of the ebm-papst Group. Future heroes Marvin Bezia, Alexa Dietz and Luisa Rollmann: "Climate Protection Day is a very special project for us: We trainees represent the future of ebm-papst and are therefore also committed to important topics such as sustainability and climate protection." With the strong commitment of its heroes of the future in the run-up to and during Climate Protection Day, the ebm-papst Group once again demonstrated the central importance of dual vocational training in the company and the excellent development opportunities offered by modern training.

As part of an accompanying exhibition, companies and organizations presented their activities and offers in the field of corporate climate protection to the event participants.