Sustainability

 

Carbon Zero

In July 2020, Southwire announced a goal to achieve 100% carbon neutral energy for our operations by 2025 (2018 baseline). This objective—coined Carbon Zero—will address our Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions. Southwire will achieve this goal through eco-efficiency projects to reduce energy consumption and increase the use of green energy—including owned or leased renewable energy sources, purchased green power and renewable energy credits and carbon offsets.
Under Carbon Zero, Southwire will continue to engage, build partnerships and collaborate with suppliers, customers and others to reduce our carbon footprint. Additional actions may include some or all the following:
 
  • Reduction of on-site energy use through efficiency and modernization efforts
  • Installation of on-site renewable energy sources such as solar
  • The use of power purchase agreements (PPAs) for on-site renewable applications
  • The use of virtual power purchase agreements (VPPAs) for off-site renewable applications
  • The purchase of renewable energy certificates (RECs)
  • The purchase of renewable power from utility providers
  • The purchase of carbon offsets 
  • Supporting the transition of our electricity and gas providers to low carbon energy sources
In 2022, our Board Sustainability Committee approved Southwire’s first Scope 3 emissions reduction goal. The objective: Implement six activities to reduce our Scope 3 carbon emissions by 2028. With the need for climate action more urgent than ever before, we’re energized to tackle our greenhouse gas emissions across all three Scopes. 

In 2021, we completed the installation of a solar generation system at our corporate headquarters in Carrollton, Georgia. The system includes two electric vehicle (EV) charging stations, two solar picnic tables and a solar canopy located over our expectant mother and handicap accessible parking areas. In addition, we also installed new EV charging stations at our Southwire Family Medical Center in Carrollton and our plant in Heflin, Alabama. Completion of projects in 2021 brings our company-wide total to three solar installations and six EV charging locations.

Renewable Energy Purchasing Programs

In 2021, Southwire signed a ten-year contract with Georgia Power to participate in their Customer Renewable Supply Procurement (CRSP) program. As part of our layered approach to achieving Carbon Zero, participation in the CRSP program is anticipated to offset approximately 6% of our carbon footprint.
 

Sustainability News

Southwire Responds in the Wake of Hurricane Helene

October 04, 2024

Over the past three days, Project GIFT collected hygiene items, paper goods, cleaning supplies, baby items, individually packaged snacks, ready-to-eat foods and more to help communities impacted by Hurricane Helene.

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Southwire Canada Named Among the 2024 Best Workplaces for Giving Back by Great Place to Work®

September 24, 2024

Southwire Canada is proud to announce that we have been recognized as one of the 2024 Best Workplaces for Giving Back by Great Place to Work®.

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Southwire Signs Contract for Solar System at North Campus Plant

September 18, 2024

Southwire is pleased to announce that it has signed an agreement with Statewide Renewable, a solar project developer, to install a solar array at its North Campus Plant.

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