Bonn/Konstanz, March 19, 2019. The flower island of Mainau, one of the best-known tourist attractions in the southwest, is becoming even more sustainable and is now purchasing gas with a 25 percent biogas content from its local supplier, Stadtwerke Konstanz. The biogas comes from residual materials from a sugar beet factory. Among other things, the leaves of the sugar beets, from which no sugar can be produced and which are therefore usually disposed of, are recycled into raw biogas using a special biogas plant, which is then processed and fed into the natural gas network. For the remaining 75 percent natural gas, the direct emissions generated in the gas combustion process and by emissions from the upstream chain are fully offset by supporting a climate protection project. To ensure that social and environmental benefits are guaranteed in addition to the highest possible greenhouse gas emission savings, the selected climate protection project has been awarded the "Gold Standard" developed by the WWF and other environmental associations.

Climate-neutral gas supply: Thus, the gas supply of Mainau Island is 100 percent climate-neutral as of this year. "It is important to us to source environmentally friendly energy as locally as possible in line with our Mainau energy and climate protection concept. In this respect, this fits perfectly with the cooperation between Mainau Island and the municipal utilities for more climate and environmental protection in Constance, which we want to tackle more intensively together," says Bettina Countess Bernadotte.

Certified with most demanding biogas seal: The biogas is certified with the independent and most demanding biogas seal in Germany, the "Grünes Gas-Label". "Especially with biogas products, it is usually complex for consumers to distinguish between actually and only apparently sustainable offers. To guarantee an ecological energy supply, biogas must be produced in an environmentally compatible manner at all processing stages. This is guaranteed by the "Grünes Gas-Label", says Christian Knops, Head of Green Gas Certification, from the association Grüner Strom Label e.V., which carries out and monitors the certification.

Keywords
Biogas, Green Gas, Mainau, Constance Municipal Utility, Constance, Energy Turnaround, BUND, NABU

About Grüner Strom Label e.V.
The Grüner Strom Label e.V. certifies green energy products. The association awards two seals of approval for this purpose: the Grüner Strom-Label for green electricity with added value and the Grünes Gas-Label for environmentally compatible biogas. The association is backed by non-profit environmental and consumer associations and peace organizations, including NABU, BUND, EUROSOLAR and the Verbraucher Initiative. Grüner Storm-Label or Grünes Gas-Label are the only seals of approval for green electricity and biogas in Germany that are supported and recommended by leading environmental associations. www.gruenerstromlabel.de

About Stadtwerke Konstanz
Stadtwerke Konstanz GmbH, a company owned by the city of Constance, is one of the largest energy supply and transport companies on Lake Constance. In addition to supplying green electricity, natural gas and drinking water, its core business also includes telecommunications services and the operation of the Constance city bus and the Constance-Meersburg ferry service. The company also includes Bodensee-Schiffsbetriebe (BSB) and Konstanzer Bäder as subsidiaries. This makes the company probably the most broadly positioned municipal utility in Germany in terms of its range of activities.

Contact
Christopher Pape
Corporate Communications
Tel: +49 (0) 7531 803-2141
c.pape(at)stadtwerke-konstanz.de

Constance Municipal Utilities GmbH
Max Stromeyer Street 21-29
78467 Constance
www.stadtwerke-konstanz.de