Contributions of IKI projects to greenhouse gas mitigation 2015–2023
At a glance
CO2 equivalents directly mitigated
Based on the aggregated results of the standard indicators ‘Action Mitigation’ and 'SI 1 - Mitigation'.
Comparable to ...
The annual carbon footprint per capita in Germany is 8.6 tonnes of CO2 equivalents (Source: Climate Watch Data, as of May 2025). The above mentioned results thus correspond to the annual emissions of about 2.13 million people living in Germany, or more than the population of Hamburg.
If we take the annual carbon footprint per capita of Kenya (1.35 tonnes of CO2 equivalents, source: Climate Watch Data, as of May 2025), the values correspond to the annual emissions of about 25 per cent of Kenya’s population.
What is measured
In the reporting period from 2015 to 2023, data on greenhouse gas mitigation from IKI projects was collected using two indicators: ongoing IKI projects that submitted an interim report before 2022 and have not voluntarily switched over to the new set of Standard Indicators report using the old ‘Action Mitigation’ AM indicator. This indicator captures reductions, which typically result from the implementation of pilot actions or direct investments. Not all of these measures are financed directly via the IKI.
‘Action Mitigation’ definition: ‘emission reduced or carbon stocks enhanced in project area (in tonnes of CO2 equivalents (t CO2eq)).’
All new projects report using the ‘Standard indicator 1 - Mitigation’ (SI 1 - Mitigation).
‘SI 1 - Mitigation’ definition: ‘Greenhouse gas emissions reduced or carbon stocks enhanced directly or indirectly by project measures (in tonnes of CO2 equivalents (t CO2eq)).’
By means of the ‘SI 1 - Mitigation’, the IKI records greenhouse gas mitigation data at three levels. Direct greenhouse gas mitigation financed by the IKI is recorded at the first level (Level 1: Direct mitigation). In addition, indirect mitigation contributions achieved through IKI-financed technical support for climate action measures are recorded at the second level (Level 2: Indirect mitigation). It is important to note that the indicator refers exclusively to mitigation effects that occurred during the project term (ex-post). Additional projections on reductions that occur after the project term, e.g. through the continuous use of new technologies, are not included. The third level covers impacts that occur as a result of policy advice on laws, policies and strategies at national or sub-national level strengthening the mitigation potential in the partner countries (Level 3: Long-term mitigation through improved political framework conditions). In the latter case, the IKI contribution to mitigation is not quantified in CO2 equivalents, as it remains too far in the future and depends on the degree and quality of implementation of the supported frameworks. Nevertheless, ambitious and realistic policies, laws and strategies are an important cornerstone for a shift towards greenhouse gas neutrality. The IKI measures its contribution in the number of projects working in this field.
The details
The highest greenhouse gas savings are reported by IKI projects as part of AM. A total of 30 projects submitted plausible actual values for this indicator. Compared to the previous year’s SI analysis, the reported actual values increased by around 2.6 million tonnes of CO2 equivalents to 16.8 million tonnes. Six of the aforementioned 30 projects, plus six additional projects that have not yet submitted any data, are still being implemented and will report further mitigation effects in the coming years. The four projects with the highest reported values all originate from the IKI funding area ’Conservation and restoration of natural carbon sinks’ and make up three quarters of the overall reported actual values. In addition, all IKI projects included under the AM indicator have set themselves the goal of avoiding a total of almost 31 million tonnes of CO2 equivalents by the end of their implementation.
Plausible current values for the Standard Indicator Action Mitigation
In total, 30 projects reported on the Standard Indicator Action Mitigation.
In terms of indirect greenhouse gas reductions under SI 1 - Mitigation, the IKI recorded an increase of almost 490,000 tonnes of CO2 equivalents to around 1.5 million tonnes compared to the previous year.
A total of six IKI projects are currently reporting plausible indirect greenhouse gas mitigation.
Plausible current values for ‘SI 1 - Mitigation’ Indirect mitigation
According to their own information, five projects achieved a direct reduction in greenhouse gases. The reported values are 11,040 tonnes of CO2 equivalents. The indicator was introduced in 2022 and it can be assumed that direct mitigation effects will primarily occur towards the end of the term of the individual projects.
In addition, 36 IKI projects contribute to a long-term improvement of mitigation potential (not quantifiable in tCO2e) through their work on improved frameworks (e.g. NDCs, NAPs, etc.). These projects thus make an important contribution to advancing climate action in the IKI partner countries.
Project example: Supporting the national energy efficiency fund in Ukraine
Supported by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK) and the EU Commission, the Ukrainian government established the Energy Efficiency Fund (EEF) in 2019 to finance renovation measures in apartment buildings. Before the start of the war, 861 renovation projects had already been promoted. Since then, the EEF has launched a new programme to promote repair measures and is working to keep up the dynamics in the renovation of residential buildings not damaged in the war. The IKI project supports the EEF in further capacity development (both within the EEF Secretariat and among those implementing renovation measures) and in the further development of its funding instruments given the current challenges.
The project’s technical support for the renovation of buildings has already indirectly saved more than 38,000 tonnes of CO2 equivalents.
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