Bendix to reduce carbon footprint

Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC has revamped its climate action plan to achieve carbon neutrality by 2021 and cutting its carbon emissions in half by 2030.

The goals are part of the company’s renewed commitment to adopt the aggressive climate strategy recently launched by its parent company, the Munich, Germany-based Knorr-Bremse AG.

The company’s progress toward eco friendly practices is no surprise as its current strategy builds on a decade of work from the previous ECCO2 initiative which ran from 2009 to 2019.

Maria Gutierrez, director of corporate responsibility and sustainability for Bendix, said the development of an eco-friendly company was its goal for several years.

“It’s part of our DNA and our responsibility to our community and the world we live in,” Gutierrez said. “We all have to come together to make the world better for future generations to come.”

During that effort, Bendix exceeded the combined goals to reduce energy consumption by 30% from its 2009 baseline, by achieving a 42% reduction over the past 10 years, according to a news release from the company.

Bendix also saved more than 27 million kilowatthours of energy and an estimated $2 million over that time frame, through projects focused on more efficient use of lighting, HVAC and compressed air.

In July 2019, Bendix joined the U. S. Department of Energy’s Better Buildings, Better Plants Program and committed to improving energy productivity in U.S. facilities by 25% over 10 years.

Bendix’s Bowling Green facility received ISO 50001 Ready recognition from the U.S. Department of Energy in October 2019.

The program recognizes facilities and organizations that establish ISO 50001-based energy management systems.

It is a self-paced, nocost way for organizations to build a culture of structured energy improvement that leads to deeper and sustained savings that does not require any external audits or certifications.

Bendix’s current strategy is aligned with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, a set of 17 overarching environmental objectives promoting prosperity while protecting the environment.

Gutierrez said Bendix has made significant progress toward achieving both responsible consumption and production, which includes the implementation of zero waste to landfill projects and cultural changes throughout the company.

“We’ve been striving for energy reduction and changing our carbon footprint,” she said. “We’re a global company and we make an impact. We want that impact to be positive.”

Currently, Bendix is placing a heightened focus on climate action by implementing tactics to pursue climate neutrality in the near future as well as an increased reduction in carbon emissions by 2030.

“Climate change is one of the greatest challenges facing the planet today, and we believe that, as a business, we are an essential part of the solution,” Gutierrez said. “We are running out of time to avoid the worst effects of global warming.

“That is why we are setting a bolder ambition to reach a net-zero future. Our journey to net zero has already started. Now, by adopting these goals, we are accelerating our efforts.”

Bendix is set to cut its greenhouse gas emissions from the 2018 baseline in half by 2030 in accordance with science-based targets and the goals of the Paris Climate Agreement.

The reductions will occur across two scopes representing emissions from its own operations and emissions generated from the use of external energy sources.

Bendix also commits to achieving carbon neutrality across all global operations from 2021 onwards, to help combat the worst impacts of climate change.

This will be accomplished by increasing the share of renewable energy and by offsetting remaining emissions with highquality certificates.

The new level of carbon reductions will be achieved through three main tactics: continued energy efficiency projects; on-site generation of renewable energy; and the obtaining of green energy combined with carbon offsets to aid the reach of carbon neutrality from 2021 onward.

“We’re hoping this inspires other companies to reduce their environmental impact,” Gutierrez said.

Bendix is investing in energy efficiency projects, and on-site or its own generation of renewable energy, she said.

These include on-site solar energy generation at the Huntington, Ind., campus, which began in October 2020 with a finish date of June 2021.

The project is expected to yield a 4% reduction in carbon emissions for Bendix Huntington, along with estimated annual energy savings of $142,000.

“These projects are good for the environment, but also save money,” Gutierrez said. “We’re actually working with our staff to educate our employees about green energy, LED light bulbs and more.

It can be a complex topic.”

Another energy efficiency and carbon reduction project also is underway at the Acuña, Mexico, campus with an anticipated completion of December 2020.

This project includes lighting- efficiency upgrades, compressed air management systems, and an energy submetering system enhancement, leading to an estimated 4% carbon reduction.

The company also plans to double its company wide awareness efforts by conducting a yearlong campaign.

The campaign will include communications and virtual employee engagement activities to help educate and raise awareness on the issue of climate change and how all Bendix employees can contribute by reducing their carbon footprint.

“It’s something we’re passionate about,” Gutierrez said. “We send out newsletters and do an activity once a month to get people involved.

“We want to hold ourselves accountable for the impact we make on climate change and the world.”