Survey finds most companies are measuring their GHG emissions

Survey finds most companies are measuring their GHG emissions

Washington (Platts)--18Oct2006

A new survey of nearly 100 global companies shows about 75% are actively
measuring their "carbon footprint" -- the range of greenhouse gas emissions
from their direct and indirect operations.

The survey, conducted by widely-known management firm The Conference
Board and released Wednesday in New York, looked at how companies are
integrating greenhouse gas management into their overall business strategy,
the board said in a statement.

More than 95% of the surveyed companies reported that they see GHGs "as
creating both business risk and opportunity," the statement said.

About half the survey participants said they have programs to "actively
reduce or offset GHG emissions." An additional 33% are developing GHG
management programs, while 15% have no plans to do so. Nearly all the programs
reported involve reductions in energy use, while 83% are simultaneously
focused on reducing GHGs, the survey said.

One-third are focused primarily on direct emissions--those resulting from
fuel consumption or from materials used in their processes--while two-thirds
include both direct and indirect emissions from electricity used and other
measures.

"Fewer than 20% have attempted to measure their competitors' carbon
footprints, which may reflect the complexity and difficulty in doing so or
indicate that the issue is not perceived as a major competitive challenge at
this time, the board said.

Only 15% of the companies surveyed said they now engage in voluntary
emissions trading under the Chicago Climate Exchange or direct transactions,
according to the survey. But another 40% percent are considering it, it said.

For companies engaging in voluntary trading, motivations include:
anticipation of potential regulation; to develop a track record for possible
credit for prior emissions reductions; reputation benefits; to learn the
process, the survey added.

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