Solatube International Celebrates Earth Day 2024:

Learn how the Solatube Team is acting locally and thinking globally.

Each year Earth Day begs us to take a pause and focus on our planet. This annual, global event on April 22, inspires people all over the world to get involved in protecting the environment.

As a global business, Solatube has the power to affect change around the world, and we believe in celebrating our commitment to the planet with action.

Over the weekend, more than 20 employees at Solatube International got together to clean up our local beach in Oceanside, collecting pounds of garbage and debris in observance of Earth Day.

Implementing the Principals of Earth Day, Everyday and Way

As part of Kingspan Light + Air, we have embraced Kingspan’s Planet Passionate Sustainability Program, a ten-year sustainability initiative targeting three big global challenges: climate change, circularity and protection of our natural world.

Planet Passionate is not just an idea; it is an actionable plan with measurable targets across four key areas:

  • Carbon: We are devoted to reducing our carbon footprint through energy-efficient practices and the adoption of renewable energy sources. 
  • Energy: Our aim is to maximize the use of renewable energy in our operations, reducing our reliance on fossil fuels. 
  • Circularity: We are committed to promoting a circular economy by optimizing material use, minimizing waste and prioritizing resource reusability. 
  • Water: Water conservation is a top priority, and we are actively working to minimize water consumption and ensure responsible management of this vital resource.

Through our active engagement in Planet Passionate, we are extending our dedication to excellence across all aspects of our operations, from product design to manufacturing and business practices. This commitment is evident in various initiatives, such as implementing single-use plastic free policies at our headquarters and ongoing facility upgrades, which include the installation of EV (electric vehicle) charging stations. Additionally, we are utilizing our proprietary daylighting technology to fully illuminate our buildings, with plans underway to install a photovoltaic (PV) roof system soon.

 

These efforts not only improve our overall efficiency and lower energy costs but also align with Kingspan’s ambitious goal of achieving a 90% absolute reduction in greenhouse gas emissions within its operations by 2030. In fact, since 2020, Kingspan has seen a 65% absolute reduction in its scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions and a further 40% absolute reduction in 2023. (1)(2)(3) These targets are aligned with the IPCC’s goal to limit global temperature rise to 1.5⁰C by the end of this century.

To learn more about Kingspan’s Planet Passionate Sustainability Program, visit planetpassionate.kingspan.com or check out the 2023 Planet Passionate Magazine and Report to discover how we are making progress in the short- to medium-term to deliver tangible results and ensure a better planet for future generations.

 

(1) Whole business – all manufacturing, assembly and R&D sites within the Kingspan Group, including additions since 2020.

(2) 2 Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions. Excluding biogenic emissions. Scope 2 GHG emissions calculated using market-based methodology. GHG emissions were recalculated due to acquisitions that occurred in 2021, 2022 and 2023 before 30th September.

(3) Internal carbon charge of €70 per ton of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) emitted by the division during the year. Scope 1 and 2 emissions, excluding process and biogenic emissions.