This week, the IPCC warned that we have only 12 years left to stem catastrophic climate change, that "every extra bit of warming matters", that "global emissions of CO2 need to decline by 45% from 2010 levels by 2030", that "no-one can opt out anymore", that we need "rapid, far-reaching and unprecedented changes in all aspects of society", that "the next few years are probably the most important in our history"; as the co-chair of the IPCC working group put it:
It certainly mobilised Aggregate Industries into action; the next day the company tweeted an infographic with its CO2 figures, and crowed:
#Sustainability is at the heart of our business. Last year we planted over 40,000 trees and over 1,000 metres of hedgerows 🌳. Take a look at our infographic below to find out more https://t.co/68VbgtR7k1 pic.twitter.com/KUNtqM4MRm— Aggregate Industries (@AggregateUK) October 9, 2018
But who knows what’s going on at AI? Last year, the company initially declared that total CO2 emissions in 2016 amounted to 17.88 kgCO2e/tonne:
It was a quantum leap from 2015, with emission figures from two Lafarge Cement plants now included.
But AI has since revised that figure, and is now saying that emissions in 2016 were in fact almost double what was originally reported, at 31.68 kgCO2e/tonne. Figures in 2017 are not much better either:
When you consider that production at AI amounts to some 42 million tonnes of material each year, which includes over 1.4 million tonnes of cement, we’re talking big numbers and big discrepancies; 31.68 kgCO2e/tonne equates annually to 1.3 million tonnes of CO2.
Over the years, as we've posted, AI has spouted a lot of nonsense about its efforts on climate change:
In 2006: In a watershed year which saw the publication of two significant reports on climate change and its effects on the economy and the environment, we have a clear message: it’s happening and we have to take action now.
In 2008: We continue to work towards our 2012 target of 20% reduction per tonne of production from the 2008 verified baseline as detailed in this report.
In 2011: carbon emissions [have] steadily increased to 11.04 Kg CO2 per tonne in 2011.
In 2012: By 2016 we will reduce process carbon emissions by 20% on 2012 levels in absolute terms.
In 2015: Absolute process carbon emissions continue to rise and are 20% above the 2012 baseline.
If AI has made any efforts – in this existential threat to humanity – they have obviously failed:
So what’s AI going to do? Will it fundamentally change the way it operates – as the IPCC says we all have to – or will the company just go on producing empty promises and pretty graphics, whilst merrily adding to our climate catastrophe?
