By Nick Ramos, Director of Environmental Affairs at Bridgestone Americas and TAEBC Board Member
Organizations around the world are setting ambitious sustainability goals and looking to advanced energy solutions to help them make this transition. Bridgestone Americas is no exception – we are currently progressing toward material circularity and carbon neutrality, among many other forward-thinking initiatives. We are a sustainable solutions company today, tomorrow and in the years ahead.
Bridgestone’s environmental mission
Bridgestone’s environmental mission is “to help ensure a healthy environment for current and future generations…” We are committed to working toward a sustainable society for all, focusing on three key objectives: being in harmony with nature, valuing natural resources and reducing CO2 emissions.
A decade ago, we set our environmental vision for the future, establishing ambitious 2020 targets in line with our three focus areas. I’m happy to say that Bridgestone met its 2020 targets one year ahead of schedule. But we’re not done.
After reaching our 2020 targets, we introduced Milestone 2030 – new initiatives for achieving our long-term targets. Some of these objectives include reducing our absolute CO2 emissions by 50% and increasing the ratio of recycled and renewable material to 40%.
We’re well on our way to achieving these goals. Yet we’re not going to stop our investment in a more sustainable future in 2030.
Looking to 2050 and beyond
Like many other organizations and communities, Bridgestone has committed to the goal of reaching carbon neutrality by 2050. To achieve carbon neutrality, we continuously evaluate the renewable energy levers at our disposal and determine the best ways to reduce our Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions. For us, energy efficiency and conservation solutions are the top priority. We also incorporate renewable energy projects, purchase power agreements, virtual power purchase agreements and renewable energy certificates. A mix of all these solutions will help us meet our 2050 goals.
One example of this work is our 2021 solar project. Bridgestone installed a 2-megawatt solar array on eight acres at our Aiken County manufacturing plant in South Carolina. This solar farm will reduce CO2 emissions by around 1,400 metric tons a year, generating enough electricity to power over 200 homes. Renewable energy solutions like this one are one of the many ways organizations like ours can reduce energy costs and help build a more sustainable world for future generations. I’m proud of the work we are doing and will do in the years to come.
The power of connection
The Aiken solar project and several other sustainability initiatives at Bridgestone are successful thanks to the support of state and local leaders and community partners. With so many organizations setting sustainability goals, we need to work together and celebrate our triumphs to turn our goals into a reality. One way Bridgestone seeks out this connection is through our membership in the Tennessee Advanced Energy Business Council.
TAEBC champions advanced energy as a job creation and economic development strategy. A few years ago, Bridgestone joined TAEBC because we believe advanced energy solutions and corporate sustainability goals are not only good for the environment but all Tennesseans.
While I am new to my role on the TAEBC board, I believe one of the biggest benefits to Bridgestone’s membership in TAEBC is the connection to others in the industry. It’s incredibly difficult to make large-scale sustainability changes at any organization. The more we network, share our stories and learn from others, the easier it will be for all of us.
Membership in organizations like TAEBC and attending networking events, like the TAEBC Annual Member Meeting, helps all of us learn more about available options and the best path forward. There is a benefit to collaboration in meeting organizational sustainability goals, especially in the thriving advanced energy industry in Tennessee.
Ramos spoke on this topic on a recent Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation webinar with Cortney Piper, Executive Director of TAEBC. Sign up for our newsletter to learn more about our members, advanced energy news and upcoming events. Or, if you’re not already a member, become a member today!