LG Electronics USA announced today that it will voluntarily cut its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions 50% by the end of 2020, compared with a 2007 baseline.
We’re likely to see more company announcements during the Climate Change Summit, which begins today in Durban, South Africa. It’s unlikely the Summit will result in nations upping their GHG reduction targets, which need to be more in line with LG’s. The US, for example, has a voluntary target of cutting GHGs 17% by 2020, from 2005 levels.
LG Electronics USA has operations in a dozen states with facilities using about 19.4 million kilowatt hours annually.
It’s going beyond producing Energy Star electronics to reducing its internal company emissions.
LG will cut emissions in half using standard, widely available cost-effective technologies:
- Expand energy management systems and technology,
- Purchase electricity from green energy sources,
- Increase computing efficiency in data centers and desktop/laptop computers,
- Improve facility energy efficiency through HVAC and lighting technologies,
- Identify and implement emerging technologies as they become commercially available and/or viable,
- Use Emergy Star equipment and building materials,
- Optimize office space, and
- Engage employees to drive change and help achieve the goal.
LG is buying 100% renewable energy for its Englewood Cliffs, NJ headquarters and has plans for a comprehensive employee engagement program. Employees will learn how to save energy and reduce waste. 2012 priorities are energy conservation, sustainable transportation and recycling.
LG Electronics USA’s efforts dovetail with LG’s global initiatives, which focus on producer responsibility through consumer take back/recycling programs, energy efficiency and GHG reduction in manufacturing and the supply chain, consumer education aimed at reducing the environmental footprint of product use, reduction of hazardous substances, promotion and development of renewable energy technologies, and developing innovative green life cycle product designs.
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