GE grows green revenue, meets goals

GE is usually pretty good at meeting its goals, so perhaps its no surprise it is meeting its sustainability goals. According to a GE press announcement last week, the company has met the first set of milestones in its green “ecomagination” commitments.

The first commitment was to reduce operational greenhouse gas (GHG) intensity by at least 30 percent by 2008. The term “intensity” refers to the rate of reduction on a revenue or output basis, rather than an absolute basis. GE surpassed its goal by reducing GHG intensity 41 percent.

I plan to find out more details of the sustainability measures GE has taken at the plant level, but on page 11 of their 2008 ecomagination report, the company notes that 41 sites have met an absolute GHG reduction of 5 percent or better last year. Ten sites received special recognition, including sites that deployed some of GE’s Jenbacher engines in combined heat and power projects at their manufacturing sites.

While a hefty reduction in operational GHG emissions is good for the planet, GE also is having success with the green technology products under its ecomagination banner. The company says it grew revenue of ecomagination offerings 21 percent in 2008, to $17 billion.

Yes, there is plenty of progress being made on sustainability by manufacturers. Just as importantly to shareholders, owners, and anyone else with a stake in a healthy manufacturing sector, there also are plenty of sales to be made by companies that can shift to a greener product portfolio.