Definition

The greenhouse gas emissions reported by Solvay correspond to the scope of the Kyoto Protocol and comprise the following compounds or compound families: CO₂, N₂O, CH₄, SF₆, HFCs, PFCs, and NF₃. To calculate their impact on climate change, greenhouse gas emissions are converted from metric tons to the CO₂ equivalent using the Global Warming Potential of each gas based on a 100-year timeframe, as published by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change in its fifth assessment report.

The indicator takes into account:

• Direct emissions for each greenhouse gas released from Solvay’s industrial activities (Scope 1 of Kyoto Protocol). For CO₂, the reporting of direct emissions includes emissions from the combustion of all fossil fuels as well as process emissions (e.g. thermal decomposition of carbonated products and chemical reduction of metal ores);
• Indirect CO₂ emissions related to the steam and electricity purchased from third parties and consumed internally (Scope 2 of Kyoto Protocol). For electricity purchased, indirect emissions are calculated by applying market-based methods. In 2019, electricity supply contracts were analyzed in order to determine the most appropriate CO₂ emissions factor of each site.

Management approach

Solvay is committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 1 million tons no later than in 2025 at constant scope, to decouple effectively its emissions from its growth, the Group intends to act on all levers: improving its energy efficiency and energy mix, and investing in clean technologies. To this end, the Group is developping a growing pipeline energy-climate transition opportunities in collaborations between a dedicated team of experts in energy transition and operational at the industrial sites. Energy conversion actions are being developed in collaborations between a dedicated team of experts in energy transition and operational teams at the industrial sites. Opportunities to reduce energy consumption identified in the Solwatt energy efficiency program active since 2012 continue to be developed in parallel. For greenhouse gas emissions not related to energy, specific taskforces have been set up with strong technical inputs in order to develop the clean technologies required.

In July 2019, Solvay increased the internal carbon price applied to greenhouse gas emissions from €25 to €50 per metric ton CO₂, to take into account climate challenges in its investment decisions.

An externally verified and structured greenhouse gas emission reporting system and responses to rating agencies such as the Carbon Disclosure Project help the Group align its efforts with the magnitude of its greenhouse gas challenges.

Indicators and objectives

Variation due to changes in reporting scope attributable mainly to the integration of the cogeneration unit Rosen (Rosignano, Italy) in Solvay perimeter +0.5 million tons of CO₂.

For a given year, greenhouse gas emissions intensity reflects the amount of scope 1 and 2 emissions covered by the Kyoto Protocol included in the financial scope expressed in kg CO₂ eq. per euro of EBITDA.

In 2019, greenhouse gas intensity decreased by 0.34 kg CO₂ eq. per euro of EBITDA.

In 2019, direct CO₂ emissions are slighlty higher than in 2018 mainly due to Rosen (Rosignano, Italy). 

In 2019 direct other greenhouse gas emissions according to the Kyoto Protocol were 0.43 million tons CO₂ eq. lower than in 2018. This change is attributable mainly to an decrease of 0,56 million tons CO₂ eq. of CF₄ emissions in Spinetta (Italia) and an increase of 0.14 million tons CO₂ eq. of CH₄ emissions in Green River (US).

Since the implementation of the market-based method, a detailed review of emissions factors for purchased electricity covering all sites is done every year.

The decrease of 0.1 million tons of CO₂ for indirect CO₂ emissions linked to purchased electricity is explained by additional electricity purchases with lower carbon content.

Indirect CO₂ emissions linked to purchased steam decrease of 0.4 million tons of CO₂. This change is attributable mainly to the integration of the cogeneration unit Rosen (Rosignano, Italy) in Solvay perimeter.

Due to Rosen integration, emission related to "Fuel and energy-related activities" increase of 0.3 million tons of CO₂ . 

Downstream scope 3 emissions related to processing use and end-of-life of products have been identified as significant through the Sustainable Portfolio Management assessment. 

2019 key achievements

At Solvay Spinetta site in Italy, an innovative clean technology developped in-house and comissioned in 2019 led to a decrease of 0.56 million tons CO₂ equivalent of CF₄ emissions in 2019.

In Paulinia, Brazil, a process excellence program avoided 0.08 million tons CO₂ equivalent of N₂O emissions in 2019.

Solvay continued to step up its involvement in renewable energy production in the area of sourcing in 2019.

• Works are ongoing to expand use of biomass energy beyond just the facilities in Brotas (Brazil), Dombasle (France), Rheinberg (Germany), Zhangjiagang (China), and Gunsan (South Korea), Panoli (India) and by constructing  new facilities in Devnya (Bulgaria) and conversion of a coal boiler into biomass in Rheinberg (Germany)
• The Solvay Jasper County Solar Farm (United States) and in West Deptford ( United States ) are now fully operational and new Solar projects in Linne-Herten (Netherlands), Walcourt-les-Petons (Belgium), and West Deptford (US) are under study;
• A New Wind project is underway in Changshu (China);
• A Biogas contracts have been signed in Melle (France) and in St Fons (France).