GHG Emissions, Industrial  -  November 5, 2020

Bendix commits to cutting emissions in half by 2030

Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems announced Nov. 4 that it is committed to halving CO2 emissions by 2030 and achieving carbon neutrality in all global operations by 2021.

In its sustainability strategy, the producer of air management and braking solutions for commercial vehicles has focused on responsible consumption and production and climate action, aligning the company with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. These new targets, using a 2018 baseline, also align with Bendix’s parent company, the Munich, Germany-based Knorr-Bremse, and its own sustainability targets. 

“Climate change is one of the greatest challenges facing the planet today, and we believe that – as a business – we are an essential part of the solution,” Maria Gutierrez, director of corporate responsibility and sustainability at Bendix, said in a statement. “We are running out of time to avoid the worst effects of global warming. That is why we are setting a bolder ambition to reach a net-zero future. Our journey to net zero has already started. Now, by adopting these goals, we are accelerating our efforts.”

Bendix plans to achieve its new energy targets by increasing the use of renewable energy and offsetting remaining emissions with high-quality certificates. To reduce emissions from its own operations, Bendix intends to invest in energy efficiency projects, including onsite renewable energy generation, lighting upgrades, new compressed air management systems and an energy submetering system enhancement, which should reduce emissions 4%.

A new solar project that began construction in October, for example, at the company’s campus in Huntington, Ind., is expected to reduce emissions 4% at the location and result in annual energy savings of $142,000.