The United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change presents convincing evidence that man-made emissions of greenhouse gases – mainly carbon dioxide (CO2) – are influencing global climate.
ABB shares the concern about global warming and is committed to the pursuit of emission reductions. We support the on-going UN process for a new and ambitious global treaty to succeed the Kyoto agreement by 2012, keeping global warming below +2º Celsius. ABB takes part in efforts by the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) and in the Combat Climate Change Initiative (3C), aiming at shaping constructive policy recommendations, in particular for post-2012 commitments.
While recognizing that reshaping the world’s energy supply sources will take time, ABB believes that other actions to cut greenhouse gas emissions can already be taken now: For example, pursuing energy savings and energy efficiency throughout the energy value chain from suppliers to end-users of energy will have an immediate beneficial impact on emissions.
Efforts to mitigate climate change, such as the expansion of renewable power generation, its integration into the power grids, and improving the efficiency of industrial energy consumption and processes, are market drivers for ABB.
Our contribution
ABB’s 2010-2011 Sustainability Objectives reconfirms our commitment to reduce the energy intensity at all sites by 2.5% annually. Progress is reported from ABB units all over the world. Energy audits and special energy efficiency programs are conducted at the 23 most energy-intensive sites. ABB has also set the target to develop guidelines to monitor the environmental impact of transport of goods, and monitor and reduce environmental impact from business air travel.
ABB’s greatest contribution to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions is through its products. For example, our advanced industrial information technology for the control and optimization of integrated systems, smart electrical power grids, buildings and industrial processes saves energy and reduces emissions.
The interconnection of power systems with high-voltage direct current (HVDC and HVDC Light) technology makes large savings through a more even distribution of loads and a more efficient use of primary energy resources, thereby reducing CO2 emissions. It also enables large-scale integration of renewable energy into the power grids.
ABB’s high-efficiency motors and variable-speed drives for motors contribute to large emission reductions. ABB low-voltage drives installed worldwide save some 170 million megawatt-hours of electricity a year, corresponding to an ongoing reduction of CO2 emissions of 140 million tons each and every year – more than the yearly emissions from 35 million cars.
ABB’s products are designed to give optimal performance over their complete life cycles. Using Life Cycle Assessments, ABB delivers products and systems that require less material, have higher efficiencies and consume less energy, which means lower greenhouse gas emissions – particularly over long operating lifetimes.
ABB is ideally positioned to offer solutions to the climate challenges, and is continuing to invest in new technology.