GE Reports On Progress Of Ecomagination, Sets New Goals

May 29, 2008

Email this story Print this post Add your comments

GE has announced the expansion of its “ecomagination” strategy, committing to reduce its global water use by 20 percent by 2012.

GE also reported that revenues from its environmental portfolio topped $14 billion in 2007, up more than 15 percent compared with 2006, and the company’s “cleantech” fund — investment in cleaner technology research and development — surpassed $1 billion for the first time.

The announcements coincide with a new report (PDF) on the progress of GE’s ecomagination strategy.

GE set out in 2005 to grow revenues from its ecomagination products to $20 billion in 2010 and now forecasts that it will surpass $20 billion by 2009, which raises the company’s annual ecomagination revenue goal to $25 billion by 2010. GE said it would invest more than $1 billion on cleaner technology research and development for 2007, drawing closer to its pledge to invest $1.5 billion annually on ecomagination R&D by 2010.

In 2007, GE’ says its GHG emissions were 7.02 million metric tons, a reduction of eight percent from its 2004 baseline. GHG Intensity and energy Intensity improved by 34 percent and 33 percent, respectively, compared to 2004. The company says it has also reduced its total energy use by seven percent since 2004.

Each year, GE adjusts its 2004 inventory to account for divestments and acquisitions. With the divestment of its Plastics business in 2007, its adjusted baseline inventory is now approximately 32 percent lower than its initial 2004 inventory.

Although the number of large GE GHG inventory sites is approximately the same as in 2004, about 27 percent of the sites in its original inventory have been replaced by newly acquired sites and the company is measuring its progress

GE’s mechanisms to manage GHGs and energy include “energy treasure hunts,” a Lean manufacturing-based process originally developed by Toyota. More than 200 treasure hunts have been conducted globally across GE to date, and that process has driven a reduction in GHG emissions of 250,000 metric tons, according to the company.

GE has also started an eCO2 awards and certification program recognizing those sites that achieve at least a five percent GHG reduction. To be certified, sites must demonstrate that reductions were achieved independently of any changes in production levels. During 2007, 46 sites were certified and 10 sites received eCO2 awards based on results and use of GE technology.

According to GE’s ecomagination website, if seven percent of the land area of Arizona were covered with GE’s GEPV-200-M solar modules, it could generate an amount of energy equal the average daily electricity demand of the entire U.S. If a typical 75,000-square-foot “Big Box” retail store in the the U.S. mid-Pacific region covered its roof with GE’s GEPV-200-M modules, it could generate more than 6.1 million kWh of electricity each year.

click to enlarge

Email this story Print this post Add your comments

Advertisers

Stay competitive through sustainability.

Find out how at the SAP Sustainability Resource Center. >>

Unclear about the EPA's new GHG Rule?

Learn how it could affect your business. >>

EPA mandatory emissions reporting starts Jan 1st

CSA Standards can help your organization get ready for compliance. Find out how. >>

Best Practices: Product Environmental Compliance

How to achieve compliance at a significantly lower cost. Download the full report. >>

Join the Discussion

Recent Daily News [ see all ]

11/20/2009
11/19/2009
11/18/2009

Charts [ see all ]

European Paper Industry Cuts CO2 Emissions by 42% since 1990

S. America Takes Most Urgent View of Copenhagen Talks

Nike Tops Annual Climate Action Scores

Oceans May Trap more Carbon than Forests

Jobs

View All Jobs >> Post a Job >>

Comments and Discussions

miggs on European Paper Industry Cuts CO2 Emissions by 42% since 1990
"Yet another example of the potential of combined heat & power to transform..."

Stevenson on News Corp. Taps Hara for Energy Efficiency, Environmental Management
"All of us should think of ways to save energy now. It is not a myth,..."

Trade Association on Trade Group on EPA Chemical Regs: ‘If Everything is a Priority, Then Nothing is a Priority’
"Seriously… that..."

Gary Markowitz on Supermarkets Tackle Emissions Reductions, Fuel Efficiency
"Supermarkets waste over 10 percent of their energy through improper..."

peter in ireland on Ontario May Follow California’s Lead on TV Energy Efficiency
"Governor Schwarzenegger is shooting himself in the foot! 1...."

Environmental Leader on S. America Takes Most Urgent View of Copenhagen Talks
"The survey respondents (the PDF report mentions 4,000 respondents in 38..."

Jake on UPS Trying New Hydraulic Hybrid Trucks
"A point of clarification: the Reuters press release referenced herein reports that 20 UPS will purchase..."

Environmental Leader