In 2022, industrial gas giant Linde helped its customers avoid more than 90 million metric tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) equivalent – more than double its own global emissions.

This was outlined in the company’s 2022 Sustainability Report, released today (28^th July), that details Linde’s progress towards its sustainability goals, including its 35 by 35 target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 35% by 2035, compared to 2021.

Contributing to this, Linde last year reduced its greenhouse gas emissions by 2.8% compared to the prior year.

Sanjiv Lamba, CEO of Linde, said he is particularly proud of the contribution Linde has made to improve its environmental performance, reducing absolute greenhouse gas emissions in 2022 and placing the company on track to achieve its 35 by 35 target.

Beyond the 2035 goal, Linde hopes to achieve climate neutrality by 2050. Plans to achieve this include the deployment of carbon capture and storage, with renewable feedstocks, a zero-emission transport fleet, and targeting 100% renewable/low-carbon power.

“We will continue to deliver against our sustainability targets while accelerating the decarbonisation of our customers around the world,” he added.

In the shorter term, by 2028, Linde expects to achieve the following:

• 35% improvement in greenhouse gas intensity versus EBITDA – from 5.31 to 3.45;

• Hold Scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions flat or reduced at the same time as it substantially increases its power use;

• More than double the amount of low-carbon power produced;

• Increase renewable energy and low-carbon energy sources to more than 50%

• Develop more green and blue hydrogen projects.

Linde’s total carbon footprint in 2022 was about 38.8 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent, with 43% stemming from direct carbon dioxide emissions, mostly from hydrogen plants, and 57% from indirect emissions from electricity consumption, mostly from air separation.

43% of all Linde electricity (18TWh) is currently sourced from low-carbon and renewable power. Of that, 4.6 TWh is directly or actively sourced.

Linde electricity use in the UK is almost all renewable, using wind, and almost all renewable in Brazil using hydroelectric. Low-carbon and renewable electricity is also sourced in the US, where both hydro and nuclear power are used, as well as in Colombia, India, Spain, the Philippines, and other geographies.

In addition to the above, 2022 also said Linde’s productivity initiatives save more than 400 million gallons of water and divert more than 225 million pounds of waste from landfill.

By 2028, the company wants to have 450 zero-waste sites globally.

Linde’s full 2022 Sustainability Report can be accessed here.