Business Leaders Reducing Green House Gas Emissions
Written by John Hawes
Business Leaders Reducing Green House Gas Emissions - In Canada and around the world, more and more industry leaders and communities are discovering that there are many opportunities that make both economic and environmental sense. They’re finding out that both energy conservation and energy efficiency save money and create new industries and new jobs.
"If we get it right, our company and our supply chain will never have to take another drop of oil." - Ray Anderson, CEO of Interface Inc., the world's largest flooring manufacturer.
Businesses and Institutions
Many companies are dramatically reducing greenhouse gas emissions, often exceeding the Kyoto target. So far, this is generally achieved at minimal cost or with considerable savings.
• Abitibi-Consolidated (Forest Products): Reduced emissions on average 10 per cent below 1990 levels, and 27 per cent below 1988.
• Alcoa (Aluminum Manufacturing): Committed to reducing emissions by 25 per cent from 1990 levels by 2010, and by 50 per cent from 1990 levels over the same period if their inert anode technology succeeds.
• Alcan (Aluminum Manufacturing): Reduced emissions by over two million tonnes worldwide over the last decade; plans to cut another 500,000 tonnes in the next four years.
• BP (Petroleum & Renewables): Achieved its target, eight years early, of reducing emissions 10 per cent worldwide below 1990 levels at no net cost. Energy investments in renewables to grow 40 per cent in 2002.
• Canadian Chemical Producers' Association: Members reduced emissions 39 per cent below 1992 levels, primarily due to declines in emissions of nitrous oxide.
• Canterra Towers (Buildings): Oxford Properties reduced energy consumption by 30 per cent and emissions 28 per cent below 1992 levels, saving tenants $1.5 million dollars in operating costs.
• Dofasco (Steel Production): Reduced emissions 22 per cent below 1990 levels by 1999, and 20 per cent per unit of production. Target: to further improve specific energy intensity by 10 per cent by 2010.
• DuPont (Chemical Manufacturing): Reduced emissions worldwide by 45 per cent and improved energy efficiency by 15 per cent over 1990 levels. Uses renewables for 10 per cent of global energy use. Target: to reduce emissions by 65 per cent.
• Dow (Chemical Manufacturing): Reduced emissions by 14 per cent below 1990 levels, and reduced the level of CO2 per kg of product by 50 per cent. Target: to reduce emissions per unit of production another 10 per cent.
• General Motors: Reduced emissions by 37 per cent below 1990 levels, with a 30 per cent reduction in emissions per vehicle produced. Target: to reduce emissions by 56 per cent by 2005.
• IBM (Information Technology): Reduced energy consumption worldwide by 25 per cent through conservation, pocketing $527 million. Canada's operations reduced emissions by 33 per cent since 1990.
• Inco (Mining & Manufacturing): Reduced emissions by seven per cent below 1990 levels by 1999. Target: to reduceemissions by a further one per cent annually to 2005.
• Interface Inc. (Commercial Carpet Manufacturer): By striving to be a fully sustainable enterprise, Interface has saved $262-million since 1994 by consuming less raw material and energy, managing waste and conserving water. These measures have already had an enormous effect. The company has reduced its number of smokestacks by over one-third and almost halved its greenhouse gas emissions.
• Mining Association of Canada: Metal mining in Canada reduced total emissions by 25 per cent below 1990 levels and improved per-unit emissions of metal concentrate by 13.8 per cent. Nonferrous metal smelting and refining decreased emissions by 1.8 per cent and improved intensity by 15.9 over the same period.
• Nike (Garment Manufacturing, U.S.): Action Plan - To reduce CO2 emissions worldwide from business travel and from facilities and services to 13 per cent below 1998 levels by 2006.
• Toronto-Dominion Centre (Buildings): Cadillac Fairview reduced electricity consumption in Canada's largest office complex by about 21 million kWh annually - enough energy to power 6,000 homes - saving $2.5 million per year in energy costs.
• Shell (Petroleum & Renewables): Reduced emissions 11 per cent worldwide between 1990 and 2000, surpassing its target. Diversifying its investments in solar and wind technologies.
• University of British Columbia: The University has signed a $35.2- million contract to undertake of the largest energy efficiency retrofits in Canadian history, with 288 buildings getting upgrades to heating, lighting, water and ventilation systems. Energy costs will be slashed an estimated 20 per cent, while water consumption is expected to drop 40 per cent. The retrofit will also cut UBC's greenhouse gas emissions by 15,000 tonnes a year. The program encompasses everything from switching to fluorescent and LED lighting, to installing insulation in the walls of aging buildings, to setting up a single, centralized office to monitor and optimize the performance of heating and lighting systems throughout the campus.
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