Climate Change & Energy Management
Reducing Greenhouse Gases
Greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reductions have been a long time priority for 3M. Although the science of global climate change is evolving, 3M has taken and continues to take voluntary, responsible action to reduce GHG emissions. 3M reduces its global greenhouse gas emissions (including both the basket of greenhouse gases outlined in the Kyoto protocol and other greenhouse gases not included in the protocol) through manufacturing process improvements, energy conservation and additional pollution control equipment.
Setting Goals to Drive Progress
Rigorous greenhouse gas accounting systems and reduction goals are key
components of 3M’s greenhouse gas management strategy. 3M develops an annual
inventory of its greenhouse gas emissions worldwide using the
World Resource Institute/World Business Council for Sustainable Development GHG Protocol.
See Sustainability In-Depth: 3M’s GHG Inventory Development (PDF, 51KB) for more information
on the inventory.
Global Goal - In 2002, 3M set a goal to reduce our worldwide GHG emissions by
50% (from a 1990 base year). 3M achieved this goal in 2006 with a 53% reduction
in worldwide GHG emissions.
3M has continued to drive additional reductions with a new goal to reduce our
worldwide GHG emissions by 5% by 2011 (from a 2006 base year). This 5% absolute
reduction goal is on top of the 53% worldwide reduction already achieved through
2006 and anticipates growth in 3M's operations from 2006 to 2011. In 2008, 3M
reduced global GHG emissions by 16% from 2006 which is a 69% reduction from a
1990 base year.
United States Goal - 3M is partnering with the Environmental Protection
Agency through their
Climate Leaders program
to reduce GHG emissions. 3M set a Climate Leaders goal to reduce our U.S. GHG
emissions by 30 percent by 2007 (from a 2002 base year). At the end of 2007, 3M
had exceeded this goal by reducing U.S. greenhouse gas emissions by 60% from
2002.
Energy Efficiency
Energy efficiency is an important part of reaching our GHG reduction goals.
Strong energy conservation strategies have helped us achieve an 80 percent
improvement in energy efficiency in the United States since 1973. Since 1990,
our energy
requirements have increased with the installation of energy-intensive,
pollution control equipment to reduce emissions of volatile organic compounds
(VOCs). At the end of 2008, 3M had reduced VOCs by 95% from 1990 levels. 3M has been making advances in solventless technology since 1990. As 3M's solventless manufacturing processes advance, the need for emission controls and associated energy demands will decrease. More Information on 3M's energy management.
Investing in Renewable Energy
3M is also working to manage its greenhouse gas emissions impact by purchasing and installing on-site renewable energy.
- In 2006, 3M's Perth, Canada plant began installing a 2,000 square foot solar wall on the south side of the warehouse. The solar wall is expected to displace 329 million Btu's of electricity for the site each year. The new wall will both preheat the air and reduce the building transmission loss.
- 3M has been purchasing wind energy at its Austin, Texas location since March of 2001. This location purchases approximately 1,250,000 kWh annually equaling 13% of its annual energy use.
In addition, 3M is also exploring opportunities to utilize landfill gas, on-site and off-site wind energy, and biodiesel at other 3M locations.
Results:
- 3M reduced worldwide, absolute GHG emissions, in 2008, by 69% from a 1990 base year.
- 3M reduced U.S., absolute GHG emissions, in 2008, by 69% from a 2002 base year.
- In 2005, 3M exceeded its goal to reduce energy use indexed to net sales by 20% off a 2000 base year, reducing energy use by 29%.
- 3M reduced worldwide energy use (indexed to net sales) at its operations by 43 percent from 1998 – 2008.
- 3M reduced U.S. energy use (indexed to net sales) at its operations by 80 percent from 1973 – 2008.
