7 Acts - Germany Edition
These 7 Acts have been adapted to reflect Germany’s climate policies, energy landscape, food systems and healthcare infrastructure, offering practical, evidence-based actions tailored to the German context.
Act 1: Move your Money
To A Bank That Doesn’t Invest in Fossil Fuels
Switching to a sustainable bank is one of the most impactful climate actions you can take. Many major German banks continue to finance coal, oil and gas projects, but several ethical banks now offer accounts that avoid fossil fuel investments entirely.
Sustainable Banks in Germany
GLS Bank – Pioneer in ethical banking; fully transparent investments in renewable energy, social housing and sustainability projects.
https://www.gls.de
EthikBank – Strong exclusion criteria for fossil fuels and arms; publishes full investment ethics.
https://www.ethikbank.de
Tomorrow Bank – Mobile bank with climate protection focus; funds certified climate projects.
https://www.tomorrow.one
Triodos Bank – European sustainable bank funding renewable energy and social impact sectors.
https://www.triodos.de
UmweltBank – Specialises in financing solar, wind and ecological construction projects.
https://www.umweltbank.de
Pax-Bank – Ethical-investment Catholic cooperative bank with sustainability screening.
https://www.pax-bank.de
Helpful tools:
WWF Bank Check (Germany)
https://www.wwf.de/themen-projekte/klima-energie/klimafreundliche-geldanlage/bankentest
Fair Finance Guide Germany
https://www.fairfinanceguide.de
Act 2: Move your Power Supply
To A 100% Renewable Resource
Switching your electricity supplier is one of the simplest and most effective ways to cut your carbon footprint. In Germany, more than 12% of healthcare emissions — and a significant portion of household emissions — come from electricity, heating and cooling. By choosing a certified green provider, you support renewable energy and reduce reliance on imported fossil fuels.
Top Renewable Electricity Providers in Germany:
These providers offer verified Ökostrom generated from wind, solar and hydro, with no fossil fuel involvement.
Utopia: Best Green Energy Providers (Germany)
A trusted independent comparison of genuine renewable electricity suppliers.
https://utopia.de/bestenlisten/die-besten-oekostrom-anbieter/
Bürgerwerke
A cooperative of 125+ local energy communities providing 100% citizen-owned renewable power.
https://buergerwerke.de
EWS Schönau
A pioneer in community-owned renewable electricity with strong fossil-free policies.
https://www.ews-schoenau.de
Green Planet Energy
Backed by Greenpeace; invests heavily in new renewable power plants.
https://www.greenplanetenergy.de
Naturstrom AG
One of Germany’s oldest 100% renewables suppliers; TÜV-certified.
https://www.naturstrom.de
Polarstern Energie
Ethical green energy company supplying renewable electricity and gas alternatives.
https://www.polarstern-energie.de
Prokon
Germany’s largest renewable energy cooperative; all energy generated from its own wind farms.
https://www.prokon.net
Why Switch?
Lower your carbon footprint immediately
Reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels
Improve energy security
Support Germany’s transition to renewable power
Often cost-competitive with mainstream suppliers
For Healthcare Facilities
Hospitals and clinics in Germany have major opportunities to save money and cut emissions by shifting to renewables.
Solar for Healthcare Facilities (Enviria)
Specialists in installing or leasing solar systems for hospitals — including “roof rental” models.
https://enviria.energy/solar-optionen/gesundheitswesen
Case Study: MEDIAN Clinics (2024)
One of Germany’s major clinic groups began rolling out PV systems across facilities in 2024.
https://www.median-kliniken.de/artikel/news/erste-pv-anlage-der-median-kliniken-in-deutschland-geht-ans-netz/
DKG Climate Protection Measures for Hospitals
Detailed report on pathways for German hospitals to reduce emissions.
https://www.dkgev.de/fileadmin/default/Mediapool/3_Service/3.1_DKI-Analysen_und_Gutachten/DKI-Gutachten_Klimaschutz_in_deutschen_Krankenhaeusern_final-update.pdf
Region-Wide Renewable Energy Trends
Germany has seen a strong shift toward renewables due to:
Rising energy security concerns
National targets under the Erneuerbare-Energien-Gesetz (EEG)
Decentralised citizen-owned energy projects
Falling solar and wind costs
This makes now the ideal time to switch your supply to 100% renewable power.
Act 3: More Plant Based Food
Shop Seasonal and Local Where Possible
Food systems are a major driver of emissions. In German healthcare, up to 17% of a hospital’s carbon footprint can come from food alone. Shifting toward plant-based, seasonal meals is one of the most effective ways to reduce emissions while improving health outcomes.
Germany, Austria and Switzerland all offer excellent resources, campaigns and guides to support individuals and institutions in adopting healthier, climate-friendly diets.
Why It Matters:
Reduces greenhouse gas emissions significantly
Lowers pressure on land, water and biodiversity
Supports better patient, staff and community health
Often cheaper for hospitals and households
Aligns with WHO and EAT-Lancet dietary guidance
Austria & Switzerland Resources to Inspire Germany’s Approach:
Austria – Climate-Friendly Hospital Food
Study on how plant-based meals reduce emissions and improve costs in Austrian hospitals.
https://www.klimamitkochen.at
Switzerland – Hospital Food Emissions Study (Swiss Federal Office of Energy)
Swiss hospitals found 17% of total emissions come from food — a key reason to shift menus.
https://gesundheitswesen.suisseenergie.ch
Quick Idea’s to Get Started:
For individuals:
Try one plant-based day each week
Choose seasonal fruit & vegetables
Reduce red meat and dairy
Buy local where possible
Avoid highly processed foods
For healthcare institutions:
Introduce a daily plant-based menu option
Train catering teams on sustainable recipes
Use seasonal procurement for kitchens
Reduce meat portions gradually
Monitor food waste
Plant-Based & Sustainable Food in Germany:
German Nutrition Society (DGE): Sustainable Diet Guidance
Official dietary recommendations incorporating environmental impact, health and cultural factors.
https://www.dge.de
Hospital Food Transformation Initiatives
Many German hospitals are now integrating:
More plant-based main dishes
Seasonal menus
Reduced meat purchases
Food waste monitoring systems
A practical example:
DKG Climate Report on Hospital Sustainability includes recommendations for climate-friendly kitchens.
https://www.dkgev.de/fileadmin/default/Mediapool/3_Service/3.1_DKI-Analysen_und_Gutachten/DKI-Gutachten_Klimaschutz_in_deutschen_Krankenhaeusern_final-update.pdf
Seasonal Eating in Germany
Choosing seasonal, local produce dramatically reduces emissions and improves nutrition.
Seasonal Calendar (Germany)
https://utopia.de/ratgeber/saisonkalender-gemuese-obst/
Act 4: More Green Travel
Choose Low Carbon Ways to Move Around
Green Travel Options in Germany:
Deutschlandticket (€49/month)
Unlimited travel on regional trains, buses, trams and S-Bahn/U-Bahn networks nationwide.
https://www.deutschlandticket.de
JobRad – Company Bike Leasing
Lease an e-bike or bicycle through your employer and save up to 40% through tax benefits.
https://www.jobrad.org
Swapfiets – Monthly Bike Subscription
A low-cost city bike subscription with repairs included. Perfect for everyday cycling.
https://swapfiets.com
Deutsche Bahn (DB) – Low-Carbon Long-Distance Travel
High-speed ICE trains offer a fast, sustainable alternative to domestic flights.
https://www.bahn.com
Transport is one of Germany’s largest sources of emissions. Switching even a few regular journeys to public transport, cycling or walking can significantly reduce your carbon footprint — and improve health and wellbeing.
Germany has excellent, affordable low-carbon mobility options that make sustainable travel easier than ever.
Act 5: More Pre-Loved
Choose Local Low-Carbon Brands
No content in document.
Act 6: Measure Your Carbon Footprint
And cut where you can.
Monitoring your carbon footprint helps identify where the biggest climate gains can be made — from household energy use to travel and food choices. Germany offers several trusted tools and calculators to help individuals and organisations measure their emissions accurately.
Carbon Footprint Tools in Germany
UBA CO₂-Rechner (Umweltbundesamt)
Germany’s official government carbon calculator for households.
https://uba.co2-rechner.de
CO₂-Rechner from Brot für die Welt
A simplified lifestyle calculator that helps raise awareness of everyday emissions.
Use the Brot für die Welt tool
Act 7: Motivate your loved ones
Your actions can influence others - sometimes more than you realise.
Share your journey or small climate steps with friends, family, or on social media.
Encourage colleagues in your workplace to be change agents.
If you’re hosting an event, make it low-waste and climate-conscious — your guests will notice.
Even simple conversations can spark bigger shifts.