PPG becomes Founding Reporter of The Climate Registry

Company takes action on climate change

PPG Industries (NYSE: PPG) has become a Founding Reporter of The Climate Registry as it sets aggressive greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction goals. The Climate Registry is a non-profit organization established to measure and publicly report GHG emissions in a common, accurate and transparent manner consistent across industry sectors and borders.

“PPG has demonstrated exemplary environmental leadership by courageously stepping forward to support The Climate Registry in its preliminary stages,” said Gina McCarthy, chair of The Climate Registry. “We are deeply grateful for its integral support in helping to address the challenge of climate change.”

By joining the group, PPG has voluntarily committed to measure, independently verify and publicly report its GHG emissions on an annual basis using The Climate Registry General Reporting Protocol. The protocol is based on the internationally recognized GHG measurement standards of the World Resources Institute and World Business Council for Sustainable Development.

“I applaud PPG for becoming the first Pennsylvania-based company to join The Climate Registry,” said Pennsylvania Environmental Protection Secretary Kathleen A. McGinty, a board member of the registry. “The company’s commitment to reducing greenhouse gases reflects an understanding that conducting business in an environmentally-conscious manner is also sound financially. I encourage all companies in Pennsylvania to join this important program and get a jump on crafting solutions that are a boost to their businesses.”

The global supplier of paints, coatings, chemicals, optical products, specialty materials, glass and fiber glass set its GHG emission goals late last year. PPG said it aims to reduce its total energy intensity 25 percent from 2006 to 2016 and its total global GHG emissions 10 percent from 2006 to 2011.

“Reducing greenhouse gas emissions demonstrates our corporate-wide commitment to improving the global environment and increasing the efficiency of our operations,” said James A. Trainham, PPG vice president, science and technology.

In addition to taking action to reduce emissions, PPG continues to improve its energy efficiency. The company reduced its energy use by just over 1 percent annually each of the last five years, saving about $40 million overall. Meeting its new energy savings goal would realize a savings of $15 to $20 million a year at today’s energy prices.

PPG previously committed to reducing its GHG emission intensity from sources in the United States 18 percent from 2002 to 2012. It achieved this in 2006, six years earlier than the projected date.

Pennsylvania and 38 other U.S. states, five Canadian provinces, three Native American tribes, two Mexican states and the District of Columbia are the founders of The Climate Registry.