New York – Ingersoll Rand (NYSE:IR), a world leader in creating comfortable, sustainable and efficient environments, stood on the global stage in September as part of the 2014 CGI Annual Meeting and United Nations Climate Summit to declare the importance of, and the company’s commitment to, reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Ingersoll Rand’s Commitment to Action will avoid the same amount of CO2 emissions that can result from powering nearly 2 million homes for one year.
The commitment increases energy efficiency and reduces the company’s climate impact with operational and product-related climate targets, including:
- 50 percent reduction in the greenhouse gas refrigerant footprint of the Company’s products for the customers by 2020 and lower global warming potential alternatives across Company’s portfolio by 2030;
- $ 500 million investment in product-related research and development over the next five years to fund the long-term reduction of greenhouse gas emissions; and
- 35 percent reduction in the greenhouse gas footprint of the company’s office buildings, manufacturing facilities and fleet by 2020.
“Energy efficiency requires action now and can be the most effective way of reducing greenhouse gas emissions,” said Michael W. Lamach, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Ingersoll Rand. “We are leading our industry toward a more sustainable world and are signalling to our customers, employees and shareholders that our future products will match our legacy of efficient, reliable and sustainable solutions. When we create more sustainable choices, improve our operating footprint globally, and continue to develop lower greenhouse gas emission options, our customers – and the climate – benefit.”
Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Ingersoll Rand Products
Ingersoll Rand will introduce products across its industrial and climate portfolio that are significantly more energy and operationally efficient. Two of the company’s climate brands, Trane® and Thermo King®, will introduce products over the next five years that use refrigerants with lower global warming potential and fit into the environmental plans of customers without compromising safety, performance and efficiency.
The company is committed to addressing all factors that contribute to its products’ greenhouse gas emissions: energy consumption and refrigerant charge, leakage and technology. Although HVAC and transport refrigeration products are designed to prevent leaks, products can sometimes leak refrigerant during manufacturing or shipping – or during or following installation from loose joints and from repetitive service. Ingersoll Rand will standardize its approach to minimizing refrigerant leakage in product design and reliability, manufacturing and servicing practices.
Funding Research and Development to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions
As part of Ingersoll Rand’s product plans, the company has committed a total of $ 500 million to product-related research and development by 2020. It will:
- Work with other industry experts to help identify a lower global warming potential roadmap for areas without viable alternatives, especially in hot climates;
- Work with universities to develop and test alternative technologies to address areas, such as atmospheric life, heat transfer properties, and overall performance; and
- Work with building owners and industrial and transport customers to understand their needs and demonstrate the performance of next-generation technologies.
Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Ingersoll Rand’s Operations
The company will reduce operational greenhouse gas emissions by lowering its energy consumption, investing in technology, and improving its fleet fuel economy. This includes:
- Continuing to retrofit facilities with new energy and operationally efficient equipment;
- Changing fleet procurement requirements to include lower fuel consumption options when new vehicles are purchased or leased;
- Reducing the use of high global warming potential foam-blowing agents;
- Celebrating the continued work of the Ingersoll Rand Green Teams and further employee engagement, education and training; and
- Continuing to develop tools to quantify and measure progress.
“Protecting the climate requires a deeper commitment from all the citizens of the world, including our corporate citizens,” said Durwood Zaelke, President of the Institute for Governance and Sustainable Development. “Customers must demand more and industry leaders must harness our inventive genius to deliver the climate-friendly products of the future. Ingersoll Rand’s climate commitments show that it is listening – and delivering.”
Further details of Ingersoll Rand’s commitment are now publicly available on the website.
Source: Ingersoll Rand.
About Ingersoll Rand
Ingersoll Rand (NYSE:IR) is an Irish global diversified industrial company founded in 1871, and advances the quality of life by creating comfortable, sustainable and efficient environments. Their people and family of brands – including Club Car®, Ingersoll Rand®, Thermo King® and Trane® – work together to enhance the quality and comfort of air in homes and buildings; transport and protect food and perishables; and increase industrial productivity and efficiency. They are a $12 billion global business committed to a world of sustainable progress and enduring results. For more information, visit www.ingersollrand.com.