In May, German electronics and electrical engineering giant Siemens AG released its Sustainability Report for 2010. The Manufacturer took a look at some of the highlights.
In the UK, Siemens has made a range of commitments in the past. These include a 15% reduction in CO2 emissions between 2008 and 2011, a 20% reduction in waste production between 2009 – 2011, a 20% increase in recycled waste 2009 – 2011, and a target of 1% of profit reinvested back into the local communities surrounding Siemens by 2012.
Last year, Siemens IT Solutions achieved an outstanding score on the Corporate Assessment of Environmental, Social and Economic Responsibility, and Siemens plc was awarded the Carbon Trust Standard in June 2010.
Focusing on energy, clean water, healthcare and sustainable urban development, one of Siemens’ projects in the UK is the Gunfleet Sands offshore wind farm – a source of renewable energy that has the potential to reduce the amount of CO2 released into the atmosphere by 400,000 tonnes a year.
Siemens says in its report that the installed capacity of Siemens wind turbines in the UK exceeded 2,400 MW, dating to December 2010. The turbines are estimated to save 3.6 million tonnes of CO2 per year compared to fossil fuel power plants such as coal.
Over the past three years Siemens has also tried its hand – arguably successfully – at providing clean transport for London with a hybrid-powered test fleet of traditional red London buses. The electric motor powering the buses is a BL5 type, which makes the buses more economical at the same time as making the engines a lot quieter compared to a conventional diesel bus. The hybrid engine produces up to 40% less CO2 emissions, and consumes around 30% less fuel.
Siemens AG places emphasis on the fact that it is already addressing a Sustainable Urban Infrastructure approach with those in charge of transport and energy policy in London. Plans have either already been implemented or are in place to introduce charging stations for electric cars, toll collection systems across the capital, and a tracking system that monitors the London buses via satellite.
