Energy Efficiency, Industrial, Sourcing Renewables  -  July 10, 2018

Baxter hits 30% RE, 17% GHG reduction

Baxter International Inc., the global medical products company, announced that in 2017, 30% of the company’s energy use from its operations came from renewable resources. The company also reduced its absolute greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 17% compared to a 2015 baseline, through increased efficiency and resource conservation, surpassing its 2020 goal by 10%.

The announcement came as part of the release of the company’s 2017 Corporate Responsibility Report, which highlights Baxter’s progress toward its 2020 Corporate Responsibility priorities and goals, which include efforts to reduce its environmental footprint.

"Our 2017 Corporate Responsibility report showcases our active engagement with the concerns of diverse communities and constituencies globally, and our commitment to making a meaningful difference that will be felt today, tomorrow and for generations to come," said José (Joe) E. Almeida, chairman and chief executive officer.

Baxter has stated a goal to reduce total energy use by 15% indexed to revenue by 2020, from a 2015 baseline. According to the report, in 2017, the company used 9,011 trillion joules of energy—5% less than in 2015, indexed to revenue. This includes electricity, fuel and purchased steam used by Baxter-managed and Baxter-operated facilities and excludes energy related to company-operated vehicles. In 2017, Baxter decreased absolute energy use by 1% compared to 2016 despite facility expansions and production increases, due primarily to the consolidation of certain facilities. Overall, the company’s energy costs dropped 3% between 2016 and 2017, saving $4.1 million, due to reduced energy use and lower energy prices.

The company employs site-specific energy assessments to identify opportunities to conserve energy and to apply and share new technologies and best practices. In 2017, Baxter performed these assessments at nine facilities worldwide, identifying 134 potential energy and water conservation projects, with possible annual savings of $3.4 million. In the past year, the company implemented 210 energy conservation projects that saved more than $4.6 million and 202 trillion joules of energy on an annual basis, avoiding more than 9,300 metric tons carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2 e) of GHG emissions.