Companies all over the world are realising the wisdom of taking initiatives within their operations to reduce the rising carbon dioxide (CO2) levels in the atmosphere. In this shared journey to carbon neutrality, these organisations are ensuring that their products or processes release net zero carbon emissions into the atmosphere.
The Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA), an initiative launched in 2016 by the United Nations’ International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) has led to airline companies from 72 countries including Australia, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea and Thailand making a commitment to offset CO2 emissions from their flights starting from 2021.
Several Asia Pacific airlines such as Qantas and Cathay Pacific already offer a carbon neutral flight option.
Closer to the ground, US transport and rideshare provider, Lyft announced earlier this year that it was offsetting carbon emissions from all of their rides globally. Their carbon neutrality journey began when the company recognised that the transport sector was one of the biggest contributors to greenhouse gas emissions. Wanting to be part of the solution rather than the problem, Lyft is headed to a future of more shared rides and clean vehicles. Perceived as a bold step in the market, Lyft’s initiatives not only display leadership in tackling global carbon emissions but also encourage their customers to participate, with every ride in a Lyft vehicle turning into an opportunity to play a part in reversing global warming.
Interface’s carbon neutrality milestone
Thanks to Interface’s Carbon Neutral FloorsTM program, all of their products worldwide are now carbon neutral. This achievement is a result of analysing carbon emissions at every stage of the lifecycle of their products beyond just the impact of manufacturing processes, factoring in everything from raw materials, suppliers and transport to use and end of life. Simultaneously, Interface’s plants reduced their greenhouse gas emissions by 96 percent by minimising their reliance on fossil fuels and increasing use of renewable energy to 88 percent.
Since 1994, Interface has worked arduously to minimise their environmental impact – reducing the carbon impact across its entire product range by over 60%. The remainder is being offset through support for projects focused on reforestation, renewable energy and fuel switching for more energy-efficient stoves — all through an independently-verified programme.
Since the introduction of their Carbon Neutral Floors program in 2018, Interface retired over 450,000 tonnes of carbon emissions, which is the equivalent of the annual greenhouse gas emissions from about 85,000 cars. This is expected to significantly increase in the coming years.
In the built environment, architects are increasingly seeking to design with carbon in mind, choosing products based on factors such as embodied carbon, and environmental and social impacts.
Interface works with customers to help them reach their goals on carbon footprint reduction.
How can you go carbon neutral?
When you specify carbon neutral floors from Interface, you have made a choice that will result in less carbon dioxide entering the atmosphere. Your choice represents taking a stand against global warming, and another positive step toward a more sustainable future.
Learn more about Interface’s Carbon Neutral Floors program and how you can get involved in the Climate Take Back mission.
