2011-12-09 - ABB South Africa gave its support to a national initiative to increase energy efficiency in business at a signing ceremony in Durban during COP 17.
The pledge signed by Carlos Poñe, CEO ABB South Africa, is a commitment together with other leading local and international companies to increase energy efficiency in their operations, supply chain and among customers.
"We are committed to saving energy in our operations as part of our sustainability priorities," says Poñe. "As a leader in power and automation technology, we have an important role to play in helping our customers to increase their energy efficiency and at the same time lower their carbon emissions."
The Energy Efficiency Leadership Network pledge confirms the commitment of South African business to energy efficiency and a sustainable future.
The pledge replaces the National Energy Efficiency Accord, started in 2005 between the Department of Energy and business, which was also a voluntary commitment to energy savings with specific targets.
Since signing the accord, ABB together with other leading companies across a broad range of industries have made significant achievements on energy efficiency initiatives at a company level. ABB's Longmeadow head office, manufacturing and logistics facility is a shining example of energy efficiency and has won a national award for its innovation in achieving energy savings.
The signing ceremony was attended by the Minister of Energy Dipuo Peters as well as representatives from the International Energy Agency and non-governmental organisations advocating energy efficiency as part of a low-carbon future.
Chesney Bradshaw, sustainability manager, ABB South Africa, who attended the event said the pledge was an important public commitment by ABB to energy efficiency and an opportunity to showcase ABB's energy efficient technologies.