Greenhouse gas emissions trading
UK and EU trading schemes
Rolls-Royce joined the UK Emissions Trading Scheme when it was set up in 2002 by voluntarily signing up to targets for significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions from 35 of its UK sites.
The Group has also participated in the EU Emissions Trading Scheme and has operated a number of Climate Change Agreements (CCA). Data is independently verified by Det Norske Veritas (DNV). As a result of the continued reduction in energy consumption, the Group has generated surplus credits from these schemes equivalent to 20,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide.
Options for renewable power generation on Group sites are also being assessed. We are investigating the feasibility of generating lower-carbon and renewable energy within our sites and decreasing the carbon intensity of our grid supplied electricity. Currently some 30 per cent of our grid supplied electricity is from carbon-free sources.
US trading schemes
The Group joined in 2003 the voluntary Chicago Climate Exchange (CCX) greenhouse gas emissions trading scheme in the US.
The scheme required participants to secure by 2006 a four per cent
reduction in their emissions, compared to the average achieved over
the period 1998-2001. The participating business units
(Rolls-Royce
Corporation, Energy Systems and
Rolls-Royce Canada) reduced
emissions by over 30 per cent. The Group has joined phase II of the
scheme, which runs from 2007 to 2010.
More case studies
Case study
Inchinnan - better energy control
At our Inchinnan facility in Scotland, we are
changing the way in which we operate the
furnaces used to heat treat compressor blades.
Historically there have been several different
approaches to furnace management with many
often left at a continuous operating condition
even when not treating parts.
Rolls-Royce, with its partners, has now standardised the heat up and cool down process adopted on the site. Furnaces which typically operate at around 900-1000°C are now control cooled to around 400-500°C when not required and then automatically heated on demand to operating temperature. This technique has become known as the 'cool to economy system'.