An important milestone in Intersport Germany’s holistic sustainability strategy is the expansion of renewable energies at HQ in Heilbronn. To ensure a self-sufficient energy supply and reduce CO2 emissions, the company is investing a total of up to €10 million in the renovation of approximately 20,000 square meters of roof space and in the installation of photovoltaic systems on the roofs of the facility.
The Intersport sustainability strategy is an integral part of the overarching corporate strategy “Best in Sports: Up for Future.” It comprises five fields of action: people, product range, environment, retailers and consumers. All measures are designed to make relevant contributions to the future of sports retailing in cooperation with Intersport retailers. The focus is on CO2 savings and the expansion of renewable energies at the site as well as the promotion of the circular economy in the product range.
Target 2030: Climate-neutral headquarters in Heilbronn
One of the sustainability goals in the environmental field of action is not only to reduce CO2 emissions at the headquarters in Heilbronn but to become climate-neutral and achieve a degree of energy self-sufficiency of 70 to 80 percent. “With the combined heat and power plant in place since 2017, which generates electricity as a byproduct of heat production, we are currently already achieving around 50 percent electricity self-sufficiency at the site. With the new photovoltaic systems, we want to increase the degree of self-sufficiency by another 20 to 30 percent,” explains Lars Sommer, Head of Site Management and Sustainability at Intersport Deutschland eG. “In addition to self-sufficiency, the reduction of our CO2 emissions also plays an important role. Since 2015, we have already been able to save over 10,000 tons of CO2 through green electricity.”
In order to reduce energy self-sufficiency and CO2 emissions, Intersport is investing a total of up to €10 million in roof renovations and new photovoltaic systems, as already mentioned. Installation of the photovoltaic systems in construction phase 1 (roofs of the old warehouse and the upper parking garage level as well as an open space on the north side of the site) began in April 2023. The photovoltaic modules on the old warehouse and the parking garage will be put into service at the end of September 2023. The solar system in the open space will be connected to the grid around the end of the year. Once this is done, Intersport Germany will be able to generate more than 1 million kWh of its own electricity per year.
Investments in climate neutrality, energy self-sufficiency and biodiversity
Construction phases 2 to 4 comprise roof renovation and the installation of photovoltaic systems on the roofs of the other logistics halls and an expo hall, all originally built in 1985. The roof refurbishments are being carried out in sections so as to have only a minor impact on operations in the logistics halls. The refurbishment from construction phase 2 onwards was started in July 2023. Following the renovations of the 20,000 sqm roof area, the installation of the additional photovoltaic modules will be tackled so that the project can be completed in 2024.
Other measures to reduce the ecological footprint at the company headquarters include waste prevention, increased e-mobility, the offer of job bikes as a climate-friendly alternative for employee mobility and the switch to a paperless office. In addition, the further expansion of the vegetarian catering offer and the promotion of biological diversity on the entire premises at the headquarters in Heilbronn with a biotope that promotes biodiversity through wildflowers, orchards, beehives and sheep.
