Grüner Strom Label e.V.:
It all started with an electricity switch for you. How did you come to choose a Green Electricity-certified tariff?
Rainer Zahlten:
It came about more by chance than anything else. At the time, the association was discussing ways to save electricity. One of the main factors was the cost. In 2016, through a contact with Stadtwerke Münster, we came to the green electricity tariff Münster:natürlich, which is awarded the Grüner Strom-Label.
I would have liked to hear about the Grüner Strom-Label sooner, because with so many green electricity products on offer, it is not easy to get an overview of trustworthy offers. By using the Grüner Strom-Label, we can be sure that 100 % of our electricity comes from renewable sources and that the extra amount is invested wisely.
Grüner Strom Label e.V.:
You mentioned in the preliminary interview that this was just the first step, what happened after that?
Rainer Zahlten:
In addition to purchasing green electricity, we were able to drastically reduce our electricity consumption through various measures.
For example, we have changed the lighting in our three sports facilities and replaced heating systems with more efficient models. In addition, a solar system has been on the roof of the neighboring school for several years. One of our three sports facilities is now completely powered by the electricity generated there.
Charging stations for e-bikes and e-load bikes are also planned. With these measures, we want to motivate our members to leave their cars behind more often and promote awareness of alternative mobility concepts.
We want to communicate to the outside world that each individual can bring about positive change in their own environment.
Grüner Strom Label e.V.:
What is the general claim behind these measures?
Rainer Zahlten:
We as an association are intensively concerned with our own responsibility towards the public and youth. Our aspiration is to keep the earth fit for the future for the younger generations. This includes the responsible use of finite resources. Our younger members in particular attach great importance to this and actively demand sustainable behavior.
In contrast to many other clubs of comparable size, we are fortunate that the under-18s make up around 50 percent of our club members. Accordingly, we consciously position ourselves as a modern and sustainable club with a focus on sustainability.
The main question is: What do we as a sports club actually want to stand for? This is clearly also about setting an example for the next generation. The children and young people are very well informed and ask directly about environmental and climate protection issues.
Grüner Strom Label e.V.:
That sounds as if TuS Ascheberg is a convinced advocate of the energy transition. Would you sign it like that?
Rainer Zahlten:
We are generally open to new opportunities and are constantly developing. However, this growing process is also actively pushed, because it is important to TuS to actively participate in the energy transition as an end consumer. The certification with the Grüner Strom-Label simplifies this participation immensely, since a direct promotion effect is included in every awarded electricity tariff.
This direct promotional effect is the core criterion of Green Electricity certification. The electricity providers support the expansion of renewable energies with a fixed amount per kilowatt hour sold. This means that consumers can be sure that their choice of tariff is an active contribution to the energy transition.
