Kirchhoff Consult publishes its own 1.5°C-compliant climate transition plan

Kirchhoff Consult GmbH, a communications and strategy consultancy for financial communications and ESG, has developed and published a 1.5°C-compliant climate transition plan for its climate strategy. The plan outlines Kirchhoff Consult’s strategic approach to decarbonising its own operations, in order to make a measurable contribution to achieving the goals of the Paris Climate Agreement. The transition plan was developed based on the scientifically sound XDC (X-Degree Compatibility) model from the climate tech company right°.

"Adapting to climate change and safeguarding against physical and transitional climate risks remains one of the greatest challenges of our time for businesses and is a key prerequisite for economic resilience, competitiveness and stability,“ says Dr Jan-Ole Brandt, Director of ESG/Sustainability at Kirchhoff Consult. "Despite the current ESG and climate backlash, particularly in the US, capital markets, regulatory requirements and stakeholders are calling on companies to focus on their own future fitness. Integrating sustainability into corporate strategy plays a crucial role here.”

Kirchhoff Consult has been producing an officially certified carbon footprint report since the 2023 financial year.

Greenhouse gas emissions: 40 per cent reduction planned

To contribute to limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius, Kirchhoff Consult has now developed a comprehensive transition plan as the core of its own climate strategy. The plan addresses specific decarbonisation levers that will reduce company-wide greenhouse gas emissions by a good 40 per cent between 2023 and 2030 compared to the base year.

As a service provider in the NACE 70.2 sector (public relations and management consulting), Kirchhoff Consult's emission hotspots are energy-related emissions from gas and electricity consumption and mobility. Accordingly, the expansion of renewable energies and sustainable mobility forms the central decarbonisation levers of the transition plan.

Expansion of renewable energies: switch from gas to district heating

A significant step is the move to a new company location at Gaußstraße 71–75 in Hamburg planned for mid-2026, a LEED-certified office building that meets the highest sustainability standards. This enables the heating system to be converted from natural gas to district heating. In addition, extensive measures to promote sustainable mobility have already been introduced: employees are encouraged to use local public transport (financing of the Deutschlandticket) through financial subsidies to reduce emissions from commuting. Kirchhoff Consult’s car fleet is gradually being converted to used car leasing and 100 per cent electric vehicles, which are charged exclusively with renewable electricity.

Mobility: fewer short-haul flights, more rail travel

In addition, domestic air travel for business trips will be significantly reduced. Short-haul flights – such as the Hamburg–Frankfurt route – will be avoided in favour of rail travel. In doing so, Kirchhoff Consult is consistently following the principle of ‘avoid before reduce before compensate’.

Unavoidable emissions are offset by high-quality climate protection measures. To this end, Kirchhoff Consult is working with its partner ZukunftMoor to support the rewetting of German moors, which are among the most effective natural CO₂ sinks.

‘With its transition plan, Kirchhoff Consult is underlining its own commitment not only to supporting clients in the development of science-based and resilient sustainability and climate strategies, but also to leading by example – even in times of political and social backlash. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions that affect the climate is not a short-term trend, but a long-term responsibility,’ according to Antonia von der Beeck, Senior Consultant ESG/Sustainability at Kirchhoff Consult.
 

‘Our Path to Net Zero’ available for download here: 1.5°C-compliant transition plan (PDF)

Further information on the 1.5°C-compliant climate transition plan is also available here: Sustainability Report 2025 (PDF)