Our responsibility includes conserving and protecting energy resources and reducing GHG emissions. Our commitment to act is based on our belief that a reduction in our direct or indirect use of fossil fuels - and resulting reduction in GHG emissions - will benefit the environment and us, as a business and as citizens, both now and in the future.
We understand that our use of these limited resources and the resultant GHG emissions must be minimized, not only to reduce our costs and improve our operational efficiency, but also to minimize any contribution to climate change that our operations and practices have, thereby ensuring availability of these vital resources for generations to come.
Our Approach
We recognize the significance of climate change and believe that businesses must play a role in confronting it. We have developed a comprehensive response to the challenge of climate change and its expected impacts. The program includes:
- Ensuring we consider climate change in the way we run our business and plan for growth
- Engaging and partnering with others to find solutions - business partners, industry members, investors, and NGOs
- Communicating transparently with our stakeholders about our progress in managing our greenhouse gas emissions
- Supporting environmentally effective and economically sound public policies
- Monitoring the effects of climate change on our business so that we can adapt.
Actions
Greenhouse gas inventory
We get our energy from five main sources: coal, waste wood, natural gas, fuel oil, and electricity. We have conducted a greenhouse gas inventory since 2005 covering our worldwide facilities and operations, including travel. This exercise identified our major GHG emissions and their sources, enabling us to prioritize our actions and reduce energy consumption and emissions.
Addressing climate change
These are some of our initiatives to address climate change, while promoting cost efficiencies:
- Improving energy efficiency across the company, by optimizing lighting, heating and cooling. See performance data.
- Installing a waste-to-energy process that will fuel a boiler at our tequila plant in Mexico with methane generated by a new wastewater treatment facility.
- Promoting video and web-based meeting technologies, which reduce the need to travel.
- Encouraging environmentally-responsible travel by including information within our online booking system that helps employees choose the best environmental option. This work won us the 2008 GetThere Travel Visionary Award.
- Using an electronic “RideShare Board” which helps employees share a leased hybrid vehicle for joint business travel.
Working with others
We were included in the 2008 Carbon Disclosure Project’s (CDP) Leadership Index after completing their annual survey.
CDP is a not-for-profit organization that promotes corporate action and the reduction of financial risk from climate change. The Leadership Index highlights the constituent companies within the S&P 500 Index which have displayed the most professional approach to corporate governance in respect of climate change disclosure practices.
We attained the second-highest score among the leading companies in the retail and consumer sector.
We also participate in The California Climate Action Registry (CCAR) where we report our greenhouse gas emissions inventory. Our involvement supports voluntary GHG reporting, and we benefit from the collaboration by learning about climate-change strategies and best practices in GHG accounting and verification.
Awards and Recognition
- Carbon Disclosure Project: Included in Leadership Index 2008
- California Climate Action Registry: Awarded Climate Action Leader status for 2006 and 2007
- 2008 GetThere Travel Visionary Award
- 2008 Flex Your Power Award
- 2007 Environmental Protection Agency’s Best-of-the-Best Stratospheric Ozone Protection Award
- 2008 California Governor's Environmental and Economic Leadership Award (GEELA)
Performance
Energy Total Usage
[Measured in MMBTUs]
Notes: Energy usage is determined from either direct metering or by allocation methods. Numbers may differ slightly from previous reports due to refining of data management systems.
Between 2005 and 2006 our energy usage has decreased mainly due to energy efficiency improvements, and in other instances due to reduced production. The total energy usage increased between 2006 and 2007 due to addition of production facilities internationally. This addition also changed the percentage source of energy due to significant use of fuel oil.
Between 2007 and 2008, despite the addition of new processes at one facility, BF total energy use has decreased due to a combination of reduced production at some facilities, and energy efficiency improvements.
“Other” category includes gasoline, propane, and charcoal.
Green House Gas Emissions
[Measured in Metric Tons]
Notes: Data includes 2007 GHG emissions verified by Cameron Cole, and are also publicly available in more detail on the California Climate Action Registry's website: https://www.climateregistry.org/CARROT/public/reports.aspx.
2007 data differs slightly from previous reports, as the last corporate responsibility update was released before verification of CY2007 data. Data for CY2008 has not yet been verified and is subject to change.
Direct emissions include use of fuel for stationary and mobile uses, including coal, natural gas, and fuel oil.
Between 2007 and 2008 we realized significant reductions in business travel by utilizing other communication technologies. In the same time period, although some facilities made meaningful reductions in GHG emissions, total direct and indirect emissions increased due to increased capacity and addition of new processes at one facility.