Working together to conserve biodiversity

Sustainable development is the core business of the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH. Maintaining the balance of nature is just as vital in this context as social responsibility, political participation and economic capability. Consequently, we work to promote a responsible approach to the environment, both in our many projects around the world and within our own corporate structures.

As such, we are involved in numerous environmental measures, as well as being a founding member of Biodiversity in Good Company, an initiative which now brings together 27 companies in order to promote biodiversity conservation. These members have committed to integrating biodiversity as a topic in their sustainability strategy and internal management systems.

For GIZ, biodiversity conservation begins on our own front doorstep. For example, we used native plant species in the grounds and on the roofs of our new buildings in Eschborn and Bonn, sealing our commitment to achieving an ecological balance in the very fabric of our head offices. In both locations, our staff are also involved in taking care of our own beehives. Bees promote plant biodiversity and facilitate pollination in crop cultivation, horticulture and fruit production. And it is not only plants and the environment that benefit from the work of our employees: proceeds from the sale of honey within the company are donated to charitable causes.

The bee-keeping initiative is one of many activities around the world that we are presenting and implementing at GIZ as part of this year’s German Action Days for Sustainability. The initiative is being run by the German Council for Sustainable Development from 30 May to 5 June and contributes to the Agenda 2030. This is now the fifth time that GIZ has been involved.