Umicore's position statement on carbon footprint reduction
Context
Public policies in many regions of the world are responding to climate change and the challenge to reduce society’s carbon footprint. This is apparent from international agreements such as the Kyoto protocol and is supplemented with multiple national and/or state actions:
- The European Union has announced its policy for 2020 that targets at a reduction of greenhouse gas emissions of at least 20% below 1990 levels associated with a 20% of EU energy consumption to come from renewable resources and a 20% reduction in primary energy use compared with projected levels to be achieved by improving energy efficiency.
- The Chinese Government has adopted a target of 20% reduction in National Energy Intensity (energy use per unit GDP) and a national renewable energy standard of 15% by 2020.
- Australia has a goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 25% below 2000 levels by 2020.
- In the USA many states have challenging goals such as California’s ambition to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels which means cutting approximately 30% from business-as-usual emission level projected for 2020.
Umicore is present in many product and service areas that can make a positive contribution to the energy and carbon footprint challenges. Umicore’s Vision 2015 identifies four key megatrends that offer significant opportunities through the deployment of Umicore’s expertise in metallurgy, chemistry and materials science:
- Electrification of vehicles
- Scarcity of resources
- Renewable sources of energy
- More stringent emission controls
The combination of our “Materials for a better life”, a closed loop business model and excellence in operations constitutes Umicore’s contribution to a reduction of society’s carbon footprint. The following policy addresses the operational excellence aspects for energy efficiency and reduction of carbon footprint.
Umicore’s policy on energy efficiency and reduction of carbon footprint
Umicore has chosen to pursue specific actions that aim to reduce significantly the company’s carbon footprint and to further increase its energy efficiency. These actions cover five areas:
a) Current operations
Umicore aims to achieve by 2015 a group-wide consolidated 20% reduction of CO2 emissions compared to 2006 and using the same scope of activities as 2006.
b) Capital investments
All capital investment must be reviewed for carbon neutrality.
c) Acquisitions
Umicore will incorporate carbon intensity criteria in its assessment of acquisitions.
d) People and mobility
All employees are encouraged to make use of low carbon or carbon neutral mobility.
e) Scope 3 CO2 emissions
Umicore will participate actively to the development of an appropriate accounting system of Scope 3 emissions so that it can demonstrate the contribution of its products and services to a low carbon economy.