The environmental impact of our services

In this report, ABB clearly estimates the environmental impact of each product and solution in the offering. The environmental impact is also influenced by the quantity of items requested. Please note that, in some cases, certain products or solutions may not be fully mapped due to local customization, though we are actively working to provide complete data. The calculated environmental impact applies only to the ABB electrification services portfolio.

CO2e Lifetime Emissions

CO2e Lifetime Emissions: Measured in kilograms.

Through thorough analysis, we have identified key factors contributing to the environmental impact of our services.

• When a product is offered: environmental product declaration (EPD) is considered (if available):

1. Manufacturing: this phase includes specific raw materials and manufacturing processes, including single use packaging as well as paper documentation. All transportation stages of suppliers are considered as well as the energy mix for the production.
2. Distribution: Customized according to the customer's location, approximated by selecting the customer’s headquarter in the country and considering the typical means of transportation based on the distance.
3. Installation: ABB Field service engineer travel is considered.
4. Use: based on power losses.
5. End of Life: in accordance with environmental product declarations (EPD).

If the EPD is unavailable, we estimate the environmental impact using corrective factors based on weight and material composition.

• When a pure service is included in the offering:

1. Travel: ABB Field service engineer or customer’s personnel (eg. For classroom training).
2. Software and PC Consumption (where applicable. Eg for remote training).
3. Room Heating/Cooling  (where applicable. Eg: for classroom training).

ABB is working to expand these calculations to cover our entire service offering, so some results may not yet be available.

The Lifetime CO2e emissions are compared to:

• The distance a petrol car would travel (15 km per liter fuel efficiency).
• The number of trees required to sequester the equivalent carbon in one year.
• The number of round trips in economy class between Zurich (Switzerland) and New York City (USA).

CO2e Total Avoided Emissions

This metric shows the kilograms of avoided CO2e emissions compared to alternative ABB solutions, where applicable:

• Retrofit: The CO2e emissions are compared to those of a new ABB switchgear.
• Preventive Maintenance: Emissions are calculated based on a comparison with corrective maintenance. The environmental conditions (temperature, humidity, dust, etc.) and utilization conditions (number of operations, frequency of operations) are estimated for each industry segment and influence the maintenance activity.
• Training: Emissions are calculated based on the comparison between remote and classroom training. The environmental impact is calculated per individual attendee.
• Replacement and Repair: Emissions from replacing or repairing products (e.g., circuit breakers) are compared to full switchgear replacement.

Associated monetary impact

To express the environmental impact of our services in monetary terms, we calculate an "associated monetary impact" based on the environmental toll [USD], following the methodology from the University of Delft (EcoCost study). This value represents the cost to prevent the environmental impact of the service. It does not affect the quoted price.

 

Material Avoided

This metric shows the kilograms of avoided material usage (e.g., copper, steel, plastics, packaging) compared to alternative ABB solutions, where applicable:

• Retrofit: The materials are compared to those of a new ABB panel/switchgear.
• Replacement: The materials are compared to full switchgear replacement.

References

Our environmental impact calculations are supported by several globally renowned emission factor databases, ensuring accuracy and reliability.  

1. ABB EPD Library 
2. Greenhouse gas reporting: conversion factors 2024 - GOV.UK
3. Climatiq  
4. Boavizta server impact 
5. Greenview Hotel Footprinting Tool dataset 2022 
6. University of Delft for EcoCost study 
7. IPCC — Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
8. EEA:
   Ref 1
   Ref 2