Caterpillar last week announced that it offset the 1,182 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions created by the 9,500-square-meter Caterpillar Zeppelin stand at Bauma in Munich, Germany. Carbon offsets represent the reduction of greenhouse gases in one location — such as through a project — to offset emissions produced in another. The offsets support a coal mine methane capture project at the decommissioned Minister Achenbach coal mine in Luenen-Brambauer, Germany.
“Sustainability isn’t just a buzz word, it’s a new paradigm to running a smart, forward-thinking business,” said Paolo Fellin, vice president of EAME Distribution. “The carbon offset of our bauma stand is consistent with the eco-minded practices we use in our factories and offices around the world every day. Our long-term goal is to help customers be more sustainable in the industries in which they work. It’s our responsibility to help set the example through actions like this offset.”
Caterpillar partnered with Carbonfund.org, the leading nonprofit carbon reduction and climate solutions organization, to calculate the emissions sources and totals. The emissions being offset come from transportation of staff and equipment, electricity and paper use, lodging, and meals. All carpet, wood, metal, glass, cardboard and paper will be sorted and recycled to minimize waste when the stand is dismantled.
Event staffing footprint – 142 tons
503 Caterpillar, Zeppelin and support staff
Estimated travel by car – 24,864 km
Estimated air travel – 892,220 km
Hotel nights – 1,683
Staff meals – 7,217
Machine shipment footprint – 205 tons
55 machines and 48 worktools shipped from factories to bauma
Average weight per truck shipment – 17,490 kg
Average distance by truck shipment – 975 km
Average weight per sea shipment – 14,705 kg
Average distance by sea shipment – 8,650 km
Electricity footprint – 820 tons
Estimated electricity use (*based on the 2009 Cat Zeppelin stand actual use)
– 1,640,653 KwH
Paper footprint – 15 tons
Estimated amount of branded bags and product literature to be distributed – 5,135 kg
Methane, a byproduct of coal mining, is a greenhouse gas about 23 times more potent than carbon dioxide (CO2). The methane leaking from the Achenbach coal mine has a concentration of 60 percent and is therefore well suited for power generation. A Caterpillar 3516TA 1.043 MWEL genset is installed to capture and generate electricity for the public power grid. The project reduces 24,099 metric tonnes of CO2e (equivalent units of CO2) from the atmosphere each year. The project has been certified to the internationally accepted Voluntary Carbon Standard.
“We are excited to partner with Caterpillar to help the international company reduce its carbon footprint and attain its sustainability goals,” said Eric Carlson, Carbonfund.org president said. “Supporting methane capture and clean power generation helps fight climate change while investing in a clean energy future.”
Carbonfund.org is a nonprofit carbon reduction and climate solutions organization, designed to make it easy and affordable for individuals, businesses and organizations to reduce their climate impact by supporting third-party validated renewable energy, energy efficiency and reforestation projects.
