Baxter Cuts GHG Emissions by 21%

June 19, 2009

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Baxter International Inc. outlines its sustainability priorities and progress in greenhouse gas emission (GHG) reductions, waste generation, water usage and energy consumption as part of its 10th annual sustainability report.

In 2008, the Deerfield, Ill.-based healthcare company extended its commitment to reduce GHG emissions from operations from a 20 percent reduction by 2010 to a 45 percent reduction by 2015. Both are indexed to revenue and compared to 2005 and include offsets purchased.

From 2005 to 2008, Baxter decreased net GHG emissions from operations on an absolute basis from 743,000 to 738,000 metric tons carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e). This includes total offsets of 37,000 metric tons CO2 e for 2008 (4.8 percent of total emissions from operations). During the same period, the company reduced net GHG emissions indexed to revenue by 21 percent, meeting its original 2010 GHG emissions goal two years early and on target to meet its 2015 goal, says the company.

During 2008, Baxter’s operations generated 62,880 metric tons of total waste, up from 61,130 metric tons in 2007. This represents a 3 percent increase in absolute terms and an 11 percent decrease indexed to revenue, compared to 2005. The company has extended the target year to reduce total waste by 30 percent indexed to revenue from 2010 to 2015, compared to 2005.

In 2008, Baxter’s global operations used approximately 13.7 billion liters of water. The company used 7 percent less water in 2008 than in 2005 in absolute terms and 26 percent less indexed to revenue, exceeding the company’s 2010 water-reduction goal.

Baxter also extended its commitment to reducing energy usage from operations from its original 2010 goal of a 20 percent reduction indexed to revenue, compared to 2005, to a 30 percent reduction by 2015. Energy usage from operations includes the energy used by Baxter-managed and -operated facilities, and sales and truck fleets.

From 2005 to 2008, energy consumption for Baxter operations increased 2.8 percent in absolute terms, from 8,945 to 9,216 trillion joules. During the same period, Baxter improved overall energy efficiency (energy usage indexed to revenue) by 18 percent.

Baxter also increased facility energy usage of renewable power to 16 percent of total energy usage in 2008, compared to 15 percent in 2005. In 2008, the company installed solar energy systems in China, Portugal and Spain, and plans to identify more sites in 2009.

In 2008, Baxter also purchased 29,500 megawatt hours of certified renewable energy certificates in the United States. The company has achieved carbon neutrality by offsetting GHG emissions associated with on-site fuel consumption and electricity use at three sites globally. In some cases, Baxter also has purchased renewable energy certificates to offset GHG emissions associated with product manufacturing and product delivery to customers.

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