Emissions Reduction: A Function of Greater Efficiency
We are committed to the reduction of our greenhouse gas emissions. In the spirit of “measurement drives management,” we are working to improve our data collection methodology for both energy consumption and GHG emissions to ensure ongoing reduction progress and transparent reporting. Currently, our GHG intensity performance measurements are tied only to our direct and indirect energy consumption.
By the fourth quarter of 2010, we plan to deploy an energy sustainability management solution to more effectively measure process emissions and to improve the accuracy of our energy consumption data. Our goal is to fully report both Scope 1 and Scope 2 CO2 emissions by 2011. Once we have achieved this goal, our next step will be to develop the metrics needed for Scope 3, which includes our supply chain. At that time, we should be in a position to present a more complete representation of the overall carbon-based footprint of our Company and its products.
As with many product manufacturing companies, our carbon-related emissions intensity largely reflects the energy intensity of our plants. Accordingly, we believe it is appropriate to closely link our GHG and energy reduction goals. These goals will be achieved through capital investments in proven energy reduction technologies, as well as implementation of solutions and practices designed to transform how we manage greenhouse gases within our operations. We also will utilize renewable energy sources, such as those currently in use in our European Unilin operations, as appropriate.
