DuPont Expands 2015 Sustainability Commitments to Include R&D, Revenue Goals
10 October 2006
DuPont is broadening its sustainability commitments and will expand its business offerings addressing safety, environment, energy and climate challenges in the global marketplace. The company expects to generate additional revenues of $6 billion or more by 2015 from the targeted effort.
DuPont will continue to pursue and report on its 2010 goals to hold total energy use flat versus 1990 and to source 10% of its energy from renewable sources at a cost competitive with best available fossil fuels. In 2005, the company’s total energy use was 6% below 1990 levels and 5.5% of DuPont’s total energy use was from renewable sources. DuPont also has reset its footprint goals, which it largely achieved ahead of its self-imposed 2010 deadline.
DuPont is one of the world’s leading companies in developing and commercializing renewable, bio-based materials; advanced biofuels (e.g., biobutanol); energy-efficient technologies; enhanced safety and protection products; and alternative energy products and technologies.
The company also is developing new products that enhance the environmental profile of its traditional businesses. These include refrigerants with lower greenhouse warming potential; automotive finishes with lower VOC content; and engineering polymers and coatings based on renewable materials.
As part of its 2015 Sustainability Goals that are focused on the marketplace, DuPont has committed to:
Double R&D investment in environmentally smart market opportunities.
Grow annual revenue $2 billion or more from products that create energy-efficiency and/or reduce greenhouse gas emissions. DuPont estimates these products will contribute at least 40 million tones of additional CO2 equivalent reductions by its customers and consumers.
Double annual revenue to $8 billion from non-depletable resources.
Introduce at least 1,000 new safety products or services.
DuPont’s new environmental footprint goals are:
Greenhouse Gas Emissions. Since 1990 DuPont reduced its global greenhouse gas emissions measured as CO2 equivalents by 72%. By 2015, the company will further reduce its greenhouse gas emissions at least 15% from a base year of 2004. Charles Holliday, DuPont’s Chairman and CEO, noted that the company’s 72% reduction to date was achieved six years ahead of schedule and avoided costs of $3 billion.
Fleet Fuel Efficiency. DuPont will introduce fleet fuel vehicles that represent the leading technologies for fuel efficiency and fossil fuel alternatives. By 2015, the company will ensure that 100% of its off-site fleet of cars and light trucks meet these criteria. DuPont will continue to ensure these vehicles are safe as well as fuel efficient, and will track and report on its fuel efficiency improvements.
Water Conservation. DuPont commits to reducing water consumption by at least 30% over the next 10 years at its global sites that are located where the renewable fresh water supply is either scarce or stressed as determined by the United Nations analysis of river basins globally. For all other sites, DuPont will hold water consumption on an absolute basis through the year 2015, offsetting any increased demand from production volume growth through conservation, reuse and recycle practices.
Air Carcinogens. Since 1990, DuPont has reduced its global air carcinogens by 92%, well beyond legal requirements. By 2015, the company will further reduce its air carcinogen emissions at least 50% from a base year of 2004. This will bring total reductions since 1990 to 96%.
Independent Verification. By 2015, DuPont will ensure that 100% of its global manufacturing sites have successfully completed an independent third-party verification of the effectiveness of their environmental management goals and systems. This information will be publicly available and communicated to local communities.
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