PPG Industries (NYSE: PPG) has again been recognized as a leader for its carbon disclosure transparency and emissions management by the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) within the S&P 500 Index companies in the CDP's 2009 Leadership Index (CLDI).
PPG scored 81 of a possible 100 points in the CLDI, ranking second in the materials sector, which had an average score of 59. In addition, PPG ranked third among materials companies for the CDP's pilot "performance-based" metrics, which measure a company's plans and actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Companies report data voluntarily to the CDP.
"We are pleased to be recognized yet again as one of the world's leading companies in carbon disclosure and for our performance to reduce emissions, especially among a high-performing peer group," said Reg Norton, PPG vice president, environment, health and safety. "PPG recognizes the need to address climate change, and as a corporate citizen, we not only have a responsibility to set aggressive greenhouse gas emissions-reduction and energy-conservation goals, we see it as a fundamental business strategy that will enable us to sustain success into the future."
In December 2007, as part of its continued commitment to sustainable practices, PPG set a goal to reduce its total energy intensity by 25 percent from 2006 to 2016 and its total global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 10 percent from 2006 to 2011. In 2008, the company issued its first-ever corporate sustainability report, which details its successful progress toward emissions-reduction goals. The full report is available on the company's Web site at http://corporateportal.ppg.com/PPG/corporatesustainability.
As a manufacturer of energy-efficient products, PPG provides customers with products that reduce environmental impact. In 2008, PPG generated more than $3.8 billion in sales from "green" products, a 24 percent increase over the prior two years. The company is a world-leading manufacturer of low- and zero-volatile organic compound (VOC) paints, and Pittsburgh Paints Pure Performance paint by PPG was the first to earn Green Seal Certification. PPG also produces the industry's best-performing solar control, low-emissivity glass, Solarban 70XL glass, which transmits 63 percent of the sun's natural light while blocking 73 percent of its solar energy. Additionally, PPG is the first U.S. manufacturer to earn Cradle to Cradle Certification at the Silver tier for all of its architectural glass products. For the sustainable energy market, PPG manufactures fiber glass rovings and fiber glass-reinforced fabric used in wind turbine blades. The company also provides protective coatings for wind turbine towers as well as Solarphire high-transmissive glass and mirrors used in solar energy production.
Launched in 2000, the Carbon Disclosure Project holds the largest database of corporate climate change information in the world and represents more than 475 signatory investors with combined assets under management of more than $55 trillion. The CDP solicits information annually from the world's largest companies. The CDP's mission is to facilitate a dialogue between investors and corporations, supported by high quality information from which a rational response to climate change will emerge.