Having first attained carbon negative status in its North American operations in 2009, Siemon applied the same aggressive programme of environmental improvement initiatives to reach this impressive green benchmark across its global operations, covering sites in Europe, Asia and South America. Including the development of more energy-efficient and sustainable manufacturing processes, zero-landfill recycling, increased reliance on renewable energy sources - such as solar power - and carbon offsets based on extensive forestland conservation efforts, this comprehensive programme helped Siemon to become the first and only network cabling manufacturer to achieve this considerable and notable green milestone.
The announcement is based on an extensive audit that identified Siemon's 2011 global carbon emission sources and calculated its total carbon footprint, utilising publicly available U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) data. The scope of the study focused on facility-level emissions within organisational boundaries as specified by ISO 14064-1 and included electricity and fossil fuel usage-related CO2 output at all Siemon-owned global facilities, as well as the effects of these sites’ waste management programmes. The audit also compiled fuel consumption for the company's global auto fleet and air travel.
Siemon's 2011 carbon reduction and sustainability programs were also analysed using EPA data. According to the calculations, Branch Hill Farms, a 3000 acre tree farm established and operated by the Siemon Company board of directors, as well as 976.7 metric tons of waste recycled at Siemon sites globally in 2011 and the company's clean solar energy system, further reduced yearly carbon output by a combined 16,885.3 metric tons. Combining its commitment to carbon reduction and cutting edge IT technology, the company has also realised a global 10 per cent reduction in carbon output from travel. This was due to increased adoption of remote meeting tools such as online conferencing and video calls for internal communications and even some customer meetings.
Balanced against approximately 9,452.3 metric tons of CO2 emissions, the combined 16,885.3 metric tons of carbon reductions and offsets noted above brings Siemon's total global carbon footprint figures to negative 7,432 metric tons - a carbon reduction approximately 1.79 times larger than the company's actual carbon output.
"Our success in extending our carbon negativity to our full global operations proves that the perceived roadblocks to sustainability can be overcome, regardless of region,” explained Carl Siemon, the company's CEO. “We found that our basic formula of identifying and quantifying our emission sources and then simultaneously developing more efficient alternative processes to reduce those emissions, plus working to offset them, is economical and effective anywhere in the world."
According to Mr Siemon, his company's approach was twofold: Siemon adheres to longstanding continual improvement policies that drive efficient manufacturing and business processes. A more efficient use of energy and materials is not only sound business practice, but also makes the company a more environmentally sustainable operation, he says. Confident that carbon emissions were being reduced at the source, Siemon developed ways to cut further through better waste management, alternative fuels and offsets. As Siemon continues to improve internal operations and processes, it is also working proactively with suppliers and partners to identify areas where mutual improvements to upstream and downstream impact can be made.
"We didn't set out to be carbon negative," Mr Siemon explained. "We just want to be as efficient and environmentally responsible as possible. Being carbon negative is the natural result of over 50 years of progressive environmental stewardship."
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