industry can lead on climate change - energy storage solutions

Some big companies-
From Pepsi to Walmart to America. P. S. —
I recognize the responsibility of businesses to address the causes of climate change before it's too late.
We do not have to wait for international treaties or new regulations to enter into force.
At Siemens, I lead a global industrial manufacturing company that produces everything from wind, gas turbines and automation systems to high
Train and M. R. I.
We understand that it is not just prudent to act.
This is profitable.
That's why today, we are committed to cutting our global carbon footprint by half by 2020 and neutralising our global operations by 2030.
We will achieve this by eliminating the vast majority of carbon emissions, while supporting projects other than Siemens to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, so-called carbon offsets.
Our net carbon dioxide emissions will be zero.
Siemens has more than 340,000 employees worldwide, operates in more than 200 countries and operates nearly 300 major production bases.
Last year, we were in charge.
Carbon emissions are 2 million metric tons.
That means our global carbon footprint.
Several quarters in Washington, D. C. C.
Our headquarters in the United States is located.
So how can a company reduce its carbon footprint by half in just five years?
We aim for facilities, vehicles and fuel.
Over the next three years, we plan to invest more than $0. 11 billion to improve the energy efficiency of offices and factories, including factories in the United States, Germany, China, Brazil and the United Kingdom.
These investments are based on existing strategies and promising results.
At our gas turbine plant in Berlin, we installed automatic heating and ventilation systems and transferred to more energy sources
Efficient lighting.
In our factory in Sacramento, where we build electric lights
We have solar panels installed to meet the energy needs of about 80% of the plant.
Although time-consuming and labor-intensive, we are required to go to the system by system and location, but the effort is rewarding.
Between 2010 and 2014, the carbon efficiency of our factory has increased by about 20%.
We will also require all new buildings, including our new global headquarters in Munich, to play a leading role in the certification of Energy and Environmental Design.
In addition, we will focus on the fleet of about 45,000 cars in our company, generating about 300,000 metric tons of carbon emissions per year.
In Germany and elsewhere, we have reduced emissions by buying more fuel
Provide efficient cars for our staff and service team.
Now, we will do so on a global scale.
We will increase the use of distributed energy systems at our own sites.
Combine solar panels, wind and efficient gas turbines with smart energy management, smart grid and energy storage solutions.
Finally, we will buy clean energy.
To make up for unavoidable emissions in the short term, we will buy electricity from renewable energy sources such as wind parks and from the "carbon credits" of credible organizations dedicated to reducing global carbon emissions, from afforestation to the renewal of power plants.
Through these steps, we want to prove to other companies that reducing the carbon footprint is not only possible, but also profitable.
With today's software and technology, it's easier than ever to improve efficiency.
Although the plan requires a lot of investment, there will be a return soon.
In fact, we expect our $0. 11 billion investment to pay for itself in five years, saving $20 million a year thereafter.
In other words, reducing the carbon footprint is not only a good corporate citizenship --
Good business.
I don't want this effort to sound simple.
This requires strong support at all levels of the company, especially at the board level.
It takes us a little longer.
A long-term perspective when making investment decisions.
This means accepting a longer energy return period.
Efficiency measures.
But we all have to do something.
While we still hope that global policy makers will reach an agreement at the UN climate change conference in Paris later this year, we also know that the business community does not have to wait for action.
So when we wait for Pope Frances's expected call for decisive action on climate at the United Nations, the opportunity is obvious: we have technology, we have business motives, and we have a responsibility.
Now we just have to commit.