Themes like net zero dominated the ARBS seminar program this year with a number of organisations announcing plans to become carbon neutral.
The first step is to perform a carbon emissions assessment. One company that provided details of its carbon neutral plan was ebm-papst A&NZ.
The company has engaged Pangolin Associates, an independent third-party emissions consultant, to perform a carbon emissions assessment of its operations.
The assessment includes the emissions produced by the company’s Australian and New Zealand operations, up-stream transportation, and manufacturing processes.
Managing director of ebm-papst A&NZ, Simon Bradwell, said the organisation is committed to continuous environmental improvements through informed and incremental changes.
“We are committed to measuring and publishing the carbon footprint of all our operations. We fully embrace the challenge of transparency and accountability, and we encourage other individuals and businesses to do the same,” Bradwell said.
“Our ambitions are not always easy to implement and sometimes are not possible, but understanding our carbon footprint allows us to strive to be better.
“We believe the environment deserves the right to a seat in the boardroom. When making decisions, our focus is to achieve sustainable and environmental outcomes, as well as commercial imperatives.”
Bradwell said the company will look for ways to implement these actions into the business.
He pointed to a quote by ebm-papst founder, Herr Sturm: “Each new product must surpass its predecessor economically and ecologically.”
“Introducing sustainable and environmentally conscious operations helps others reduce their impact,” he said.
“By introducing formal measurement, we create awareness that inspires us to make consequential improvements and we encourage our employees to reflect on this philosophy in their own spheres of influence.”
ebm-papst A&NZ will measure their carbon footprint on an annual basis and purchase carbon credits to offset all of its generated emissions.
In fact, the company’s carbon credits support the 210 MW Musi Hydro Power Plant Project in the Bengkulu region in Sumatra, Indonesia.
Sumatra, Indonesia’s largest island, is home to fertile soil that is ideal for growing commodities such as coffee.
Despite this, new economic opportunities are limited by rudimentary infrastructure and poor electricity access – and growing energy demands threaten Sumatra’s unique natural ecosystems.
This grid-connected run-of-river hydroelectricity plant is built on the upper banks of the Musi River near Sumatra’s port city of Bengkulu.
By harnessing the kinetic energy of the powerful running water, the Musi river hydroplane has a total-installed capacity of 210 MW and delivers over 765,000 MWh to Sumatra’s grid every year - that’s enough to meet the demands of over 700,000 Indonesians on average each year.
“This project addresses issues in rural Sumatra such as poor electricity access and the lack of quality employment opportunities – as well as fostering sustainable economic development,” Bradwell said.
The Musi River Hydro plant has created quality jobs and upskilling opportunities for locals in what has been traditionally a farming community.
A portion of project revenue is reinvested in the local community to build an orphanage, construct new roads, bridges, and traditional marketplace – giving the local farmers better access to their rice paddies and the opportunity to pursue additional income.
A reforestation program has also been established in the surrounding catchment area to safeguard the natural landscape.
“As a Climate Responsible company, we are pleased to offset our Carbon Footprint through the purchase of Carbon Credit offsets using Pangolin Associates, an Australian Climate Active registered consultant,” Bradwell said.