Green Energy Solutions Grow More Appealing to Businesses
From the halls of Congress to the
streets of small-town America, climate change awareness is reaching an all-time
high, and business leaders are taking note. For example, 80% of Fortune 500
companies see climate change as a commercial risk, according to a survey by the
Carbon Disclosure Project, and rightly so. Commercial and industrial (C&I)
energy users—who account for almost half of all US greenhouse gas emissions—are
likely targets for future government action.
Corporate America Responds
Some large corporations such as
Dell, PepsiCo, and Google are getting ahead of the green curve by reducing the
amount of greenhouse gas emissions their operations release into the atmosphere
through the use of fossil fuels, often called a carbon footprint. Indeed some
major corporations—including the big box retailers Home Depot and Wal-Mart—are
going one step further. Not only are they establishing their own internal
initiatives to reduce their carbon footprint, they’re also asking their
suppliers to do the same.
These businesses understand the
reputational value of being recognized as stewards of the environment. They are
seizing upon an opportunity to differentiate themselves from their competitors
in the eyes of consumers. Plus, by taking steps to be environmentally
responsible businesses, they are putting themselves in a better position to
respond to potential legislation.
New Approach Taken by NYC’s Old Academic
Institution
A growing number of C&I
customers are looking for energy strategies to reduce their environmental
impact, not just manage their energy spend. Hess engineers worked with Fordham
University to develop a comprehensive energy curtailment plan. Fordham
University is taking part in a Demand Response program from Hess that supports
the University’s environmental initiatives while also supplying income through
Hess’ Energy Marketing Division. With these tools in place, Fordham University
is able to closely monitor its energy usage, and identify ways to save money by
reducing energy-wasting practices. Not only does the Demand Response program
contribute to Fordham’s sustainability efforts, but in the wake of looming
stateside education budget cuts, it is helping the university’s efforts to hold
down tuition costs.
 |
Photo: Hess Corp.
Fordham University is taking part in a Demand Response
program from Hess that supports the University’s environmental initiatives while
also supplying income through Hess’ Energy Marketing Division. |
Going Beyond Energy Efficiency to Reduce
Carbon Footprints
While C&I organizations and
institutions are embracing energy efficiency strategies to reduce their
environmental impact, energy efficiency is only a start. Energy efficiency
efforts alone can only deliver about a 15% to 20% reduction in an operation’s
overall greenhouse gas emissions. So, organizations striving to reduce their
carbon footprint, or to become completely “carbon neutral,” will require a
combination of energy efficiency and reduction programs with carbon offsets.
A carbon offset represents the
reduction of one metric ton of carbon dioxide, or its equivalent in other
greenhouse gases. Carbon offsets fund projects, both domestically and around the
world, that either reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the atmosphere through
projects such as methane-capture projects, or avoid emissions in the first place
through the use of renewable energy such as wind, solar, and water power.
Advertisement
EPA Proposes National Greenhouse Gas
Reporting
Programs like C-Neutral are a sign
of the times. In early March, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
announced a proposal under the authority of the federal Clean Air Act for the
first comprehensive national reporting system for carbon dioxide and other
greenhouse gas emissions.
The
EPA’s proposal would cover about 13,000 large-scale facilities across the US,
which represents 85% to 90% of greenhouse gasses emitted in this country.
Although most small businesses would remain unaffected by this proposal, it is
sure to be the one of many steps taken by the Obama administration to address
climate change and other environmental concerns.
Author's Bio: John Sutherland is director of products/programs for Hess Corporations Energy Marketing division.
July-August 2009
Green Energy Solutions Grow More Appealing to Businesses
Photo: Hess Corp.
From the halls of Congress to the
streets of small-town America, climate change awareness is reaching an all-time
high, and business leaders are taking note. For example, 80% of Fortune 500
companies see climate change as a commercial risk, according to a survey by the
Carbon Disclosure Project, and rightly so. Commercial and industrial (C&I)
energy users—who account for almost half of all US greenhouse gas emissions—are
likely targets for future government action.
Corporate America Responds
Some large corporations such as
Dell, PepsiCo, and Google are getting ahead of the green curve by reducing the
amount of greenhouse gas emissions their operations release into the atmosphere
through the use of fossil fuels, often called a carbon footprint. Indeed some
major corporations—including the big box retailers Home Depot and Wal-Mart—are
going one step further. Not only are they establishing their own internal
initiatives to reduce their carbon footprint, they’re also asking their
suppliers to do the same.
These businesses understand the
reputational value of being recognized as stewards of the environment. They are
seizing upon an opportunity to differentiate themselves from their competitors
in the eyes of consumers. Plus, by taking steps to be environmentally
responsible businesses, they are putting themselves in a better position to
respond to potential legislation.
New Approach Taken by NYC’s Old Academic
Institution
A growing number of C&I
customers are looking for energy strategies to reduce their environmental
impact, not just manage their energy spend. Hess engineers worked with Fordham
University to develop a comprehensive energy curtailment plan. Fordham
University is taking part in a Demand Response program from Hess that supports
the University’s environmental initiatives while also supplying income through
Hess’ Energy Marketing Division. With these tools in place, Fordham University
is able to closely monitor its energy usage, and identify ways to save money by
reducing energy-wasting practices. Not only does the Demand Response program
contribute to Fordham’s sustainability efforts, but in the wake of looming
stateside education budget cuts, it is helping the university’s efforts to hold
down tuition costs.
|
Photo: Hess Corp.
Fordham University is taking part in a Demand Response
program from Hess that supports the University’s environmental initiatives while
also supplying income through Hess’ Energy Marketing Division. |
Going Beyond Energy Efficiency to Reduce
Carbon Footprints
While C&I organizations and
institutions are embracing energy efficiency strategies to reduce their
environmental impact, energy efficiency is only a start. Energy efficiency
efforts alone can only deliver about a 15% to 20% reduction in an operation’s
overall greenhouse gas emissions. So, organizations striving to reduce their
carbon footprint, or to become completely “carbon neutral,” will require a
combination of energy efficiency and reduction programs with carbon offsets.
A carbon offset represents the
reduction of one metric ton of carbon dioxide, or its equivalent in other
greenhouse gases. Carbon offsets fund projects, both domestically and around the
world, that either reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the atmosphere through
projects such as methane-capture projects, or avoid emissions in the first place
through the use of renewable energy such as wind, solar, and water power.
EPA Proposes National Greenhouse Gas
Reporting
Programs like C-Neutral are a sign
of the times. In early March, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
announced a proposal under the authority of the federal Clean Air Act for the
first comprehensive national reporting system for carbon dioxide and other
greenhouse gas emissions.
The
EPA’s proposal would cover about 13,000 large-scale facilities across the US,
which represents 85% to 90% of greenhouse gasses emitted in this country.
Although most small businesses would remain unaffected by this proposal, it is
sure to be the one of many steps taken by the Obama administration to address
climate change and other environmental concerns.