Monday 12 January 2015

Aggregate Industries on climate change

We have long recognised the consequences of CO2 emissions and how both the manufacture of our products and their use in the built environment contribute to climate change... there is a real focus and drive to minimise the environmental impact of all we do.
In 2012 our total process carbon emissions were 236,800.24 tCO2e 
In 2013 our total process emissions increased to 254,495.44 tCO2e
If AI has long recognised the consequences, why are CO2 emissions still rising? People across the world look to carbon polluters like AI and Swiss-parent Holcim to actually do something about the climate-changing emissions from cement and concrete, not just to talk about it.

AI's Sustainability Report 2013 mentions "climate change" just once, but the company maintains that: 
By 2016 we will reduce process carbon emissions by 20% on 2012 levels in absolute terms
It has to. Continuation of its carbon-heavy business model depends upon making changes. Not only does the 2008 Climate Change Act commit the UK to cutting greenhouse gas emissions by at least 80% by 2050, but carbon emissions are costing society £4 billion per year. Yet, in 2008, AI said the same:
Carbon remains a key focus for both us and society... We continue to work towards our 2012 target of 20% reduction per tonne of production from the 2008 verified baseline. 
Process emissions (kgCO2/t) 2008: 5.03, 09: 5.56, 10: 4.98, 11: 5.15, 12: 5.12, 13: 5.55
Total emissions (kgCO2/t) 2008: 8.63, 09: 9.25, 10: 9.13, 11: 9.57, 12: 9.74, 13: 8.68
AI claims to be serious about climate change, but its flatlining record would indicate otherwise.