Air Products has set a goal to reduce its global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by seven percent per production index by 2015. The company's production-intensity based emission reduction goal aligns with its 2015 intensity-based energy efficiency goals for large air separation units (ASUs) and hydrogen, carbon monoxide and synthesis gas (HyCO) facilities. These plants represent approximately 80 percent of the company’s total global energy requirements.
These energy goals are expected to achieve a seven percent reduction in energy consumption at the company’s large ASUs per quantity of gas produced and a seven percent reduction in fuel and feedstock consumption per quantity of hydrogen produced at HyCO plants by 2015, using 2007 as the baseline year.
Air Products says it is the only industrial gas company to have its GHG emissions reduction goal accepted under the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Climate Leaders program.
"EPA's Climate Leaders are some of the largest and most competitive companies in manufacturing, finance, information technology and other major sectors of the economy," said Beth Craig, director of EPA’s Climate Protection Partnership Division, in a statement. "We applaud Air Products for setting a goal to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. They’re proving that they can be both industry leaders and leaders in the fight against climate change."
In September, the EPA decided to shut down the voluntary Climate Leaders program, which has been helping organizations reduce their GHG emissions since 2002. The federal agency says it will phase down services it offers under its program over the next year and encourages participating companies to transition to state or non-governmental programs.
However, Air Products says it intends to uphold its GHG emissions reduction goal, even as the Climate Leader's program is phased out, investing in efficiency improvements at existing plants and new high-efficiency production facilities. The company expects to achieve a minimum energy reduction of 875 million kilowatt hours/year and 12 million MM BTU of natural gas at 2007 operating rates.
Air Products also recently joined the EPA's SmartWay Transport Partnership. The company has set a preliminary intensity-based emission reduction target of two percent for 2010, using 2009 as the baseline year.
EL reported on Air Products' latest sustainability report in June.
