HVACR manufacturers jointly commit to supply chain decarbonisation

A range of electrical equipment manufacturers working across the heating, cooling and building engineering sectors have committed to ensure a transition to net zero carbon operations throughout their supply chains.

Companies including Glen Dimplex, Honeywell, Siemens, Schneider Electric, Nu-Heat and EnviroVent have committed via industry body BEAMA to introduce industrial decarbonisation strategies and sustainable product development for the entirety of their operations by 2050.

These stated commitments are intended to support a net zero electricity system in line with the UK Government’s legal targets to have fully reduced or offset national carbon emissions by 2050.

BEAMA stated, “Leading electrical manufacturing companies, responsible for £13bn of UK operations, are committed to delivering net zero by 2050. With this we will align the highest integrity science-based targets, working with our customers and suppliers to deliver effective climate action, and lead in the development of cradle to cradle products for the future.”

Signatories of the agreement say they will support the trade body to help steer the development of regulations and standards to provide full life cycle assessments of their products.  While standards do already exist to provide these assessments for products, the BEAMA members claim the pathway to fully review embedded carbon in their products and components across the supply chain is unclear.

Indirect emissions

A specific aim of the BEAMA Climate Commitment is to ensure the sector can manufacturer fully sustainable products with a focus on reducing scope 3 carbon emissions. These relate to the indirect emissions produced outside of the company’s direct operations and energy use, accounting for the carbon produced throughout a company’s supply and value chain.

BEAMA said that the pledge is also focused on creating a global circular economy that will also consider the ways materials are being used in product design and looking at how its members manufacturing processes can reduce the negative impacts on the natural environment.

The trade body added. “This can’t happen overnight as complex supply chains need to reform the fundamental basis of the materials used for product development.”

“BEAMA members here support action to reform the supply of material into our sector, for products and packaging and work with government and our supply chain to create a competitive market for sustainable products.”