Sustainability

Carbon Zero

In July 2020, Southwire announced a goal to achieve 100% zero carbon 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

Southwire has not publicly announced a Scope 3 goal under our Carbon Zero initiative. However, we have set internal targets to reduce Scope 3 emissions, and we are actively engaged and building partnerships with suppliers, customers and other stakeholders to reduce our carbon footprint.

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 Employees Participate in Annual Summer Enrichment Series

September 13, 2022

Throughout August, Southwire hosted its annual Summer Enrichment Series to provide employees with helpful tools, research, practical skills, virtual events and learning opportunities that focused on the company’s core values.

Share Tweet Share

Southwire Launches 2021 Sustainability Report – Company’s Sustainability Commitment Reflects Ongoing Efforts to Deliver Value and Grow Responsibly

July 21, 2022

Southwire’s long-held commitment to sustainability has been evident throughout its history and was formalized with its first official sustainability report in 2007. Reflecting that commitment, the company recently launched its 2021 sustainability report.

Share Tweet Share

Southwire Receives Inaugural Energy Matters Award

July 14, 2022

On Tuesday, July 12, Southwire was presented with the inaugural Energy Matters Award for “Best Sustainability by a Large Company” by Tim Echols, vice chairman of the Georgia Public Service Commission $PSC$.

Share Tweet Share

Southwire's Project GIFT Hosts Walk for Water in Carrollton

May 27, 2022

On May 21, Southwire’s Project GIFT partnered with Water Mission to host a Walk for Water event in Carrollton, Ga., collecting more than $25,000 in donations and raising awareness for the global water crisis.

Share Tweet Share

Southwire Enters into Sustainability-Linked Asset Based Loan Facility

August 26, 2021

To bolster growth strategy and accelerate greenhouse gas emission reduction

Share Tweet Share

Sustainability Report Downloads