How ADAC Lower Saxony/Saxony-Anhalt Takes Responsibility for Residual Emissions

The ADAC NSA's Sustainability Strategy: Net Zero by 2030

ADAC Niedersachsen/Sachsen-Anhalt e.V. supports over 1.5 million members—from roadside assistance to travel planning. Sustainability is not a one-off project, but rather an integral part of the 2030 Sustainability Strategy.

The strategy has two main objectives:

• Net Zero by 2030: Consistently avoid and reduce emissions, and support complementary climate protection measures for unavoidable residual emissions.
• Empowering Employees: Embedding sustainability in everyday work and promoting sustainable practices.

Cornelia Wurm has been responsible for this area as Sustainability Manager since April 2025. Her goal is to make sustainability concrete, transparent, and measurable. This includes both structural measures, such as electric vehicle charging stations, and initiatives like the internal CSR Day, which help to gradually embed environmental issues into the company culture.

Transformation Despite Complexity: Where the Decarbonization Path Hits Its Limits

The goal is clear: net zero by 2030. To achieve this, ADAC Niedersachsen/Sachsen-Anhalt e.V. follows a clear principle: prevent, reduce, and, where necessary, promote climate protection.

At the same time, the decarbonization pathway shows that not all emissions can be completely avoided today. Challenges exist, among other things, in the following areas:

• Indirect emissions (Scope 3): Many emissions originate in the upstream supply chain and can only be influenced to a limited extent.
• Infrastructure and Vehicle Fleet: The transition to more sustainable solutions requires time, investment, and the right framework conditions.
• Residual emissions: Some emissions cannot yet be completely avoided for technical and economic reasons.

For ADAC Lower Saxony/Saxony-Anhalt e.V., it was therefore clear that responsibility must also be taken for these residual emissions. However, this was contingent on the supplementary climate contribution being of high quality, transparent, and strategically sound.

Transparency Instead of “Buying Your Way Out”: The Quality Criteria for Real Impact

ADAC Lower Saxony/Saxony-Anhalt e.V. did not want to view or communicate climate protection as a way to “buy one’s way out” of emissions. For this reason, the sustainability team established clear quality criteria before selecting projects.

The project to be supported should:

• in addition and generate a verifiable climate benefit,
• be transparent in its methodology and impact,
• be independently tested and validated,
• be designed for the long term,
• and allow for a clear distinction from traditional compensation promises.

The climate contribution is therefore deliberately presented for what it is: an additional contribution to a verified regional climate protection project—not as a way to offset or “buy off” the company’s own emissions. Reducing emissions within the company itself remains the top priority.

A Regional Contribution to Climate Action Instead of Anonymous Offsetting: The “Rosenau” Forest Project

Through the “Rosenau” forest project, ADAC Niedersachsen/Sachsen-Anhalt e.V. is supporting forest restoration across 214 hectares in Saxony-Anhalt and Lower Saxony. There, vulnerable monocultures are being converted into climate-resilient, species-rich mixed forests.

The project combines long-term climate protection with regional forest restoration and biodiversity. Its impact was verified by TÜV Nord and developed in accordance with the Forest Climate Standard. The ADAC can track the project’s progress at any time via digital dashboards.

For ADAC Niedersachsen/Sachsen-Anhalt e.V., the selection of climate protection projects focused in particular on regional relevance in order to make a direct contribution at the local level. The added value thus extends beyond the project’s contribution to climate protection. The regional focus creates transparency and makes the project’s impact clear to stakeholders.

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Frequently asked questions

Why is ADAC Lower Saxony/Saxony-Anhalt e.V. supporting a forest climate project?

Despite consistent efforts to reduce emissions, it is not possible today to completely eliminate all emissions. Through the “Rosenau” forest project, ADAC Niedersachsen/Sachsen-Anhalt e.V. is supporting a regional climate initiative that combines long-term forest restoration, biodiversity, and climate protection.

Is the ADAC's climate contribution a form of CO₂ offsetting?

No. ADAC Niedersachsen/Sachsen-Anhalt e.V. deliberately does not present its contribution as compensation or a way to “offset” its own emissions. The contribution is a supplementary climate protection measure for unavoidable residual emissions—while reducing its own emissions remains a priority.

What are residual emissions?

Residual emissions are emissions that, despite mitigation and reduction measures, cannot currently be completely eliminated. They arise, for example, in areas where technological solutions or the necessary framework conditions for complete decarbonization are still lacking.

What does "net zero" mean?

"Net Zero" describes a state in which a company reduces its greenhouse gas emissions as much as possible and addresses any remaining emissions through appropriate measures.

To learn more about the difference between net zero and climate neutrality, read our article: Net Zero vs. Climate Neutrality: What’s the Difference?

What is the "Rosenau" Forest Project?

Pina Earth’s “Rosenau” forest project is a regional forest restoration project in Saxony-Anhalt. Across 214 hectares, vulnerable monocultures are being converted into climate-resilient mixed forests. The project’s impact was assessed by TÜV Nord and developed in accordance with the Forest Climate Standard.