The Good and Bad News In Intel's CSR Report

There is much to like about Intel's 2011 CSR report, including its progress in meetings its emissions reduction goals. The company exceeded its goal of a 30 percent reduction of its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from 2004 to 2010 below 2004 levels. Intel achieved a 45 percent reduction. By the end of last year, Intel reduced its absolute global-warming gas footprint by over 60 percent below 2007 levels, more than exceeding its 20 percent goal. There is an interesting statement in the report contained in the section about GHG emissions reductions: "Over this same time frame, our annual revenue increased by 41 percent." "I think in the area of addressing climate change and the environment, we're pretty proud of what we've done," said Suzanne Fallender, director of corporate responsibility at Intel. The other reasons to "like" Intel's CSR report include green building, solar power and solid waste reductions:

• Intel implemented a new policy to design all new buildings to a minimum LEED Silver level. The last two years, Intel has pursued LEED certification for existing facilities. In 2011, Intel achieved certification for 18 buildings in worldwide locations.
• Intel completed 15 solar installations on nine Intel facilities which collectively generate over 5 million kilowatt hours (kWh) a year. Solar hot water systems supply almost 100 percent of the hot water used at two of the company's largest facilities in India, saving about 70,000 kWh a year.
• Intel recycled at least 80 percent of the solid waste generated by its operations per year since 2007. However, the company saw an increase in solid waste generation in 2011 because of large fab conversion and construction projects. Its global solid waste recycle rate, however, increased to 87 percent last year, up from 83 percent in 2010.

Intel did not meet all of its 2012 goals Unfortunately, there are three areas where Intel did not meet its 2012 goals. Instead of meeting its goal to reduce water use per chip below 2007 levels by 2012, the company's water use increased by 12 percent. Intel did not meet its goal to reduce chemical waste per chip by 10 percent from 2007 levels either, and like water reduction, the rate increased 54 percent over their 2007 baseline. The third area where Intel did not meet its goal is energy consumption. The company did not meet its goal to reduce energy consumption per chip by five percent a year from 2007 to 2012. However, absolute energy use was eight percent below Intel's total energy use in 2007. In all three areas Intel blames the "increasing complexity of their manufacturing processes" and states that it set new 2020 goals. Hopefully, Intel will make better progress on meeting its 2020 goals. Photo: Flickr user, rileyroxx