Climate Change and Energy

The use of fossil fuel energy produces carbon emissions that are causing our climate to change. Our customers expect us to lead by example when it comes to energy reduction. It also makes financial sense for the business as less energy used means reduced costs.

Energy consumption and emissions are an inevitable part of our business operations. We need to do all that is reasonably possible to reduce them either to zero, or as close to zero as practically possible. We have set the 2030 goal of a 30% reduction in carbon emission.

Everyone at ERIKS is responsible for reducing our energy consumption and emissions. Our Sustainability Champions are designated colleagues that lead the way with initiatives and advice, as well as data collection and reporting to show the effectiveness of our efforts.

We currently monitor and measure our scope 1 and 2 emissions. Scope 1 are direct emissions from ERIKS owned or controlled sources and scope 2 are indirect emissions from our purchase of energy. Since our base year in 2016, we have seen an overall reduction in both our scope 1 and 2 emissions. Overall emissions have reduced by 13% against our 2016 baseline year, with a 1% reduction between 2018 and 2019.

In 2019, we continued to change the profile of our energy sources, maintaining zero fuel from coal, while increasing the use carbon efficient District Heating by 35%. Overall, our energy purchased decreased by 12%. Our petrol consumption reduced by 23% and propane by 17%. We experience a small 3% rise in diesel fuel. Where possible, we offset emissions from our transport fuel consumption.

Due to the complexity of our supply, we have yet to determine our scope 3 emissions, which are all indirect emissions associated with our operations (not included in scope 2). Scope 3 emissions include all emissions in our value chain, both upstream and downstream.