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Johnson Controls recently received the 2004 Gold Medal for International
Corporate Achievement in Sustainable Development, awarded annually
by the World Environment Center (WEC). Johnson Controls was honored
with the 20th annual award for creating tremendous shareholder
value through businesses and initiatives that enable energy efficiency
and reduced carbon dioxide emissions; facilitating resource efficiency,
reuse and recycling; and promoting green building design concepts.
The gold medal is awarded each year to a corporation that demonstrates
preeminent industry leadership and contributes to worldwide environmental
quality and sustainable development.
The jury cited Johnson Controls for its commitment to environmental
conservation, conscientious citizenship and sustainable development. “Through
its long-time policies and practices, Johnson Controls has demonstrated
its leadership in sustainable development,” noted Dr. Joel
Abrams, Professor Emeritus of the University of Pittsburgh and
chair of the independent Gold Medal jury. The decision was based,
in part, on the company’s “High Performance Green Buildings” initiative,
through which Johnson Controls creates buildings designed to conserve
energy and water, use natural materials and lighting, treat landscapes
with respect, and minimize emissions. Broadly accepted, this concept
can have a
profound effect on global energy consumption and resource depletion.
“
Johnson Controls is providing global leadership in revolutionizing
the way businesses and contractors build their facilities,” notes
Dr. Abrams. Johnson Controls, through its internal programs and
efforts on behalf of its customers, is considered one of the largest
deliverers of energy efficiency in the U.S. In the United States
alone, energy efficiency projects implemented by Johnson Controls
since 1990 are expected, by 2020, to produce energy savings of
$95 billion and to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 1.3 billion
tons.
Johnson Controls is also a founding member of the Supplier Partnership
for the Environment, an organization of automakers and vehicle
suppliers that works with the U.S. EPA to develop a business-centered
approach to environmental protection in the automotive industry.
As part of its environmental initiatives, the company
developed Eco-cor™, made from plant fibers and recycled plastics,
for use in automotive interior components. In addition to its waste
reduction benefits, Eco-cor has the advantage of reduced weight,
which contributes to improved vehicle fuel efficiency.
In 2003, the Johnson Controls’ automotive interiors business
reduced manufacturing waste disposal costs approximately 18 percent
through diversion of waste products into a variety of recycling
and recovery applications. All of its North American interiors
plants are ISO 14001 certified and, as part of this compliance,
environmental management plans include input from stakeholders,
including local community
interest organizations.
The jury also acknowledged a range of the company’s achievements
in the areas of waste reduction, sustainability and social responsibility.
The Johnson Controls’ automobile battery business is a model
for reuse and recycling. Currently, approximately 96 percent of
all Johnson Controls automotive batteries are recycled and its
manufacturing plants recycle 99.9 percent of all lead used. Waste
reductions are also achieved through the application of life cycle
assessments with the goal of zero waste-to-landfill; application
of ISO 14001; installation of air filters; integrating renewable
natural based materials into product lines; and assisting
customers and suppliers with recycling and reclaiming materials.
Johnson Controls’ commitment to working with a diverse range
of suppliers was demonstrated in 2002, when the company first achieved
$1 billion in annual spending with diverse suppliers. To further
increase supplier diversity, Johnson Controls encouraged joint
ventures between itself, key suppliers and minority-owned companies.
The jury also cited high corporate expectations for global suppliers
that go beyond mere regulatory compliance by pushing for suppliers’ operating
standards to reflect Johnson Controls’ own high standards.
Suppliers’ performance is monitored and the implementation
of ISO 14001 management systems is actively encouraged.
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