How is Emerson Driving Sustainability with Technology?
Emerson's 2024 Sustainability Report details the technological strides influencing its environmental and social responsibility initiatives.
As a technology and engineering leader, Emerson is embedding sustainability through its entire operational model and product lineup.
With an ambition underpinned by technological expertise and collaborations, Emerson is strategically positioned to contribute to global net zero efforts.
Emerson's approach to climate action
Emerson is targeting a 90% reduction in absolute Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2030, advancing towards full value chain net-zero by 2045.
The company achieved a 48% reduction in these emissions in 2024, compared to 2021, driven by a 30% cut in energy intensity and transitioning to 57% renewable electricity across global operations.
Scope 3 emissions, accounting for 97% of the firm's footprint, saw a 13% decrease, thanks to reductions in product energy use (Category 11).
The path to achieving the 2030 emissions target includes energy efficiency projects, renewable electricity sourcing, vehicle fleet electrificatio, and use of low-carbon fuels to mitigate Scope 1 emissions.
A carbon price of US$90 per ton of CO₂ in 2024 is guiding investment decisions to support sustainability goals.
Emerson also contributes to grid decarbonisation by aligning with RE100 and the Clean Energy Buyers Association, leveraging its automation technologies to facilitate energy transition projects.
“We are taking action to enhance our environmental sustainability performance while supporting our customers in achieving their own sustainability goals,” comments Lal Karsanbhai, CEO and President of Emerson.
“In 2024, 57% of the electricity used across our global operations came from renewable sources, bringing us closer to our goal of achieving net zero operations by 2030.
“At the same time, we are advancing more sustainable product design by embedding environmental considerations into our innovation and engineering processes and delivering technologies and solutions that help our customers meet their sustainability objectives.”
Sustainability driven by technology
Through the “Greening By Emerson” strategy, the company is driving customer capabilities in emission reduction, efficiency improvement and regulatory compliance.
Emerson's technologies are vital in infrastructure across energy, manufacturing, life sciences and transportation sectors.
Their automation systems have been instrumental in implementing New Zealand’s first grid-scale solar farms and the PosHYdon green hydrogen platform in the Dutch North Sea.
Collaborations like the one with Spartan Controls and ConocoPhillips in Canada have cut more than12 million tons of CO₂ emissions since 2016.
Emerson's solutions are also employed in carbon capture and storage (CCS) facilities in South Korea and the US, providing real-time monitoring and data analytics support for these processes.
Promoting circularity and resource efficiency
In 2024, Emerson advanced its circular economy agenda, aiming for zero waste to landfill by 2032.
The company diverted 58% of its operational waste from landfills, enhancing recycling, reuse and composting initiatives.
Initiatives such as Waste Treasure Hunts help manufacturing sites identify opportunities for waste reduction.
Innovations in packaging also contribute to sustainability.
For instance, Emerson's team in China has switched to recyclable packaging, while sustainable packaging pilots in the US have minimised foam usage and eliminated plastics.
Furthermore, Emerson collaborates with the University of North Texas to develop green metal powders for manufacturing, reducing the carbon footprint by half compared to conventional methods.
Commitment to water stewardship and biodiversity
Water sustainability forms another key aspect of Emerson's environmental objectives.
With a target to decrease purchased water use by 10% by 2032, the company reported a reduction to 1,321 megalitres in 2024, down from 1,346 megalitres the previous year.
Technologies for water mapping, advanced leak detection and stormwater reuse are applied to priority sites to support these goals.
Emerson completed its first global biodiversity assessment to evaluate the proximity of its operations to sensitive ecosystems, noting that only 2% of facilities are near high-value conservation areas.
This analysis informs site management strategies and compliance with evolving biodiversity guidelines.
As Emerson advances in its sustainability journey, the formation of a new Sustainability Reporting Governance Framework in 2024 prepares it for future disclosure regulations, reinforcing its leadership in environmental compliance and technology-driven sustainability.
“I’m excited to share the progress we’ve made in our newly released sustainability report which summarises our efforts in Planet, Our People, Integrity and Responsible Sourcing at Emerson,” says Michael H. Train, CSO at Emerson.
“As we look ahead, we remain energised by our mission, to drive lasting impact and create a world that’s healthier, safer, smarter and more sustainable.”
