Our Sustainability Goals

2020 Sustainability Goals

We measure the effectiveness of our practices through several key performance indicators – and our dedication to consistent improvement is reflected in the numbers. Our current sustainability goals, which were established by our prior parent company United Technologies, and which we have continued to pursue as an independent company, have a baseline year of 2015 and conclude at the end of 2020.

These goals measure progress in absolute terms and are not adjusted for organic increases or decreases in production. We continuously implement sustainable solutions in the design of our products and in our operations, and encourage suppliers, customers and employees to achieve ever greater sustainable outcomes.

2020 Sustainability Goals

Our Progress to Date

We continuously work to implement sustainable solutions in the design of our products and in our operations, and encourage suppliers, customers and employees to achieve ever greater sustainable outcomes. Learn about our factory goals and performance below.

Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions

2020 GOAL: 15%

2019 PROGRESS: 15%

Our commitment to reduce absolute energy and GHG emissions is informed by climate change science, the regulatory landscape and our experience in implementing targeted programs across our global manufacturing facilities. Since 2006, UTC set an annual expectation, which Carrier as part of UTC followed, that our operations achieve a 3% absolute reduction in their GHG emissions. Since 2015, we have invested $20 million in energy efficiency and GHG reduction projects. This has resulted in avoiding over 55,000 metric tons of CO2e from operations.

Reduce Water Consumption

2020 GOAL: 25%

2019 PROGRESS: 34%

Our goal for 2020 continues our historic commitments to water reduction by aiming to reduce our absolute water consumption 25%, compared with 2015 baseline levels. To do this, we have established site-specific goals that align with the site’s size and water scarcity category.

Implement Water Best Management Practices

2020 GOAL: 100%

2019 PROGRESS: 83%

We have reduced our water footprint in absolute terms across our global locations. We established site-specific goals that align with a site’s size and water scarcity category, requiring the implementation of up to eight additional best management practices (BMPs), including a water balance and leak detection program.

Reduce Hazardous Waste Generation

2020 GOAL: 10%

2019 PROGRESS: 21%

Hazardous waste represents less than 10% of our total waste generation but poses significant potential risk to the environment. The risk also extends to the required regulatory compliance and the overall cost of managing waste reduction. Our 2020 goal requires each business unit, regardless of its growth, to reduce its generation of hazardous waste by 2% per year when compared with the 2015 baseline level that was set when we were part of UTC.

Increase Waste Recycling Rate

2020 GOAL: 90%

2019 PROGRESS: 94%

More than 90% of the waste we generate each year is non-hazardous and includes commodities such as metal, wood, paper and glass. Our 2020 goal aims to recycle 90% of industrial waste across our factories and operations. The baseline for this goal was originally established for all of UTC and its businesses, which included Carrier until April 3, 2020. Carrier was recycling above this rate in 2015, and as an independent company will maintain this performance target through 2020, at which point new goals will be established.

Eliminate Use of Chlorinated and Brominated Solvents

2020 GOAL: 100%

2019 PROGRESS: 88%

Our 2020 goal targets the elimination of air emissions from the use of eight specific chlorinated or brominated solvent chemicals if used above a level greater than 100 pounds per year.

Reduce Ergonomic Risk

2020 GOAL: 50%

2019 PROGRESS: 62%

Reducing ergonomic hazards represents one of the biggest areas of opportunity for Carrier. We know we can reduce future injuries by eliminating these risks. Our goal is to reduce ergonomic risks assessed at high or medium by 50% by 2020, against our 2015 baseline, which was established when we were part of UTC, and as measured by a formal ergonomic risk assessment.

Reduce Workers’ Exposure to Hazardous Substances

2020 GOAL: 100%

2019 PROGRESS: 90%

As a stand-alone company, our 2020 goal targets the elimination of air emissions from the use of eight specific chlorinated or brominated solvent chemicals if used above a level greater than 100 pounds per year, and builds on the significant progress we have made in reducing employee workplace hazards. Recent efforts enabled us to reduce exposures to chemicals and industrial noise levels in our facilities for approximately 80% of our employees to levels that no longer require the use of personal protective equipment.