Climate Change

At Colgate, we understand the potentially negative consequences of climate change and are committed to acting responsibly and conscientiously to protect people and the environment everywhere we operate. We understand how climate change may impact our business, including access to raw materials (e.g., agricultural products and clean water) for use in our oral care, personal care, home care and pet nutrition products. We are committed to conducting ourselves in a responsible manner to protect people and the environment in every area of the world in which we operate. We have reported publicly on our efforts to the Carbon Disclosure Project since 2004.

While Colgate is not an energy-intensive company, carbon dioxide (CO₂) created from on-site fuel combustion and externally purchased electricity is the most significant greenhouse gas emission associated with manufacturing our products. The majority of our electricity is purchased from local power companies with the exception of three on-site co-generation units located in Italy, Mexico and the U.S. We also purchase natural gas and fuel oil to produce steam for manufacturing and heating and for fire protection system pumps and backup generators.

Colgate’s efforts have focused mainly on energy efficiency improvements which help reduce the amount of CO₂ emitted into the environment. Our global energy goal, which applies to all manufacturing and research facilities worldwide, has been to reduce the amount of energy used to produce a ton of product by 15% from 1998 to 2006. From 1998 to 2007, we reduced the amount of energy used to produce a ton of product by approximately 28%. In 2007, our global CO₂ emissions were approximately 675,000 metric tons. Our global goal is to reduce CO₂ emissions per ton of production by 25% from 2002 to 2010. On a per-ton basis, we reduced CO₂ emissions by approximately 14% in 2007 when compared to 2002.

We review our global CO₂ emissions data regularly, and periodically verify them by using impartial third parties. In addition, several Colgate facilities are currently evaluating alternative energy technologies, such as solar power and co-generation, to understand better the potential technical, economic and environmental implications to our future operations. Colgate will additionally comply with greenhouse gas regulations worldwide as they are promulgated.

We will continue to implement energy efficiency improvements at our facilities worldwide. In 2006, all Colgate manufacturing sites were tasked with conducting energy use assessments to identify improvement opportunities. This assessment approach is grounded in our core value of “Continuous Improvement.” In addition to improving our efficient use of energy, we will continue to evaluate options for reducing carbon emissions. This will include examining possibilities such as alternative sources of energy, carbon trading initiatives, new technologies and other opportunities that will develop over the next few years. Although our CO₂ emissions are comparatively small, we are committed to continue reducing these emissions through improved efficiencies, new technologies and other means available to us. Read more about energy efficiency.