Key insights

• 🕵️ Investigation uncovers potential billion-euro fraud involving fake carbon-saving projects in China
• 🛢️ Supposed energy-efficient equipment in Chinese oil fields, approved as environmental projects in Germany, did not exist
• 🔍 Insiders reveal that many projects sold to German companies are fraudulent
• 🌍 Carbon credits worldwide are under scrutiny as a result of these findings
• ⛽ Oil companies in Germany can invest in projects abroad to reduce carbon emissions and obtain carbon credits
• 👀 Limited oversight and lack of site visits by the agency's employees leave room for potential exploitation and irregularities
• 📝 Concerns raised over potential forgery of documents and misuse of company names
• 🚧 German environmental certification scandal involving Chinese projects leads to investigations and protests, highlighting flawed monitoring and control systems

Q&A

• What were the consequences of the German environmental certification scandal involving Chinese projects?

  The scandal led to investigations and protests, highlighting flawed monitoring and control systems. Auditing companies came under investigation for fraud, and 45 projects worth one billion euros were under suspicion. The scandal resulted in protests and political reactions, shedding light on the flawed monitoring and control systems.

• What suspicions were raised about the auditing process of Chinese investment projects in Germany?

  Suspicions of fraud and possible collusion between a Chinese company and German auditors were raised, pointing to inconsistencies in auditing reports and the questionable credibility of the process. Additionally, satellite images and photos contradicted auditing reports, raising concerns about the auditing process. The involvement of auditing companies with excellent reputation in the questionable projects and reports also created doubt.

• Why did German authorities launch a full-scale investigation into Beijing Karbon?

  German authorities launched a full-scale investigation into Beijing Karbon after a tip-off from China. The company is suspected of setting up an opaque network of companies and subcompanies, allegedly involved in identity theft and fraudulent activities. Chinese business partners were allegedly asked not to talk to the press. Additionally, Beijing Karbon offered carbon credits to German buyers, with one buyer investing 25 million euros.

• What raised concerns over potential forgery of documents and misuse of company names?

  An investigation revealed alleged fraudulent carbon projects in China submitted to German authorities, leading to concerns over potential forgery of documents and misuse of company names. Existing installations in China were being submitted as new climate projects to German authorities. Additionally, concerns were raised over the submission of allegedly fraudulent projects by different Chinese companies, with evidence of companies that seemingly don't exist.

• How do German oil companies obtain carbon credits in return for reducing emissions in other countries?

  German oil companies can invest in projects abroad to reduce carbon emissions and obtain carbon credits in return. The Federal Environment Agency approves projects based on the condition that the facilities are genuinely new. However, limited oversight and lack of site visits by the agency's employees leave room for potential exploitation and irregularities.

• What did the investigation by DW and ZDF uncover?

  The investigation uncovered a potential billion-euro fraud involving fake carbon-saving projects in China. Supposed energy-efficient equipment in Chinese oil fields, approved as environmental projects in Germany, did not actually exist. Insiders in the carbon trade market in China revealed that many projects sold to German companies are fraudulent.

• 00:03 A potential billion-euro fraud involving fake carbon-saving projects in China has been uncovered through an investigation by DW and ZDF. Documents and on-site visits revealed that supposed energy-efficient equipment in Chinese oil fields, approved as environmental projects in Germany, did not exist. Insiders in the carbon trade market in China revealed that many projects sold to German companies are fraudulent.
• 03:03 German oil companies can invest in reducing carbon emissions at facilities in other countries, like China, and obtain carbon credits in return. The Federal Environment Agency approves projects but lacks thorough oversight, leading to potential exploitation and irregularities.
• 06:00 An investigation reveals alleged fraudulent carbon projects in China submitted to German authorities, leading to concerns over loopholes and potential forgery of documents.
• 08:52 German authorities launched a full-scale investigation into Beijing Karbon after a tip-off from China. The company is suspected of setting up an opaque network of companies and subcompanies, allegedly involved in identity theft and fraudulent activities. Chinese business partners were allegedly asked not to talk to the press. Beijing Karbon offered carbon credits to German buyers, with one buyer investing 25 million euros.
• 11:49 Suspicions of fraud in a Chinese investment project in Germany point to possible collusion between Chinese company and German auditors. Inconsistencies in auditing reports raise questions about the credibility of the process and the involvement of auditing companies with excellent reputation.
• 14:24 German environmental certification scandal involving Chinese projects leads to investigations and protests, highlighting flawed monitoring and control systems.