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Globe and Mail
31-07-2025
- Business
- Globe and Mail
Williams Report Showcases Innovation and Progress on Environmental Metrics
Williams (NYSE: WMB) today released its latest Sustainability Report, which provides a comprehensive review of environmental and safety performance and management and details the company's efforts on social and governance topics for the 2024 reporting year. An electronic version of the report is available at 'Our natural gas-focused strategy and innovative, problem-solving solutions are leading the industry and providing value to our shareholders,' said Williams CEO and President Chad Zamarin. 'With so much need and opportunity on the horizon for natural gas, Williams remains steadfast and focused on applying pragmatic solutions to further decarbonize the natural gas value chain, while at the same time exploring and advancing the next generation of energy technologies and energy infrastructure solutions.' Highlights of the report include the following: Minimizing our footprint Replaced 92 units as part of our Emissions Reduction Program (ERP) in 2024, reducing emissions and operating expenditures while also generating a regulated rate of return Held year-over-year absolute-based carbon emissions flat, even with the inclusion of strategic growth through expansion projects and significant M&A activity in 2024 Reduced absolute methane emissions to outperform our Annual Incentive Program (AIP) target of a 5% reduction from the previous year baseline Became the first large-scale midstream company in the U.S. to join OGMP 2.0, an international methane emissions reporting initiative, and approved a Scope 1 methane intensity target of achieving a 0.0375% methane intensity by 2028 of operated assets Innovation Established Power Innovation team focused on delivering turnkey power generation solutions for hyperscalers, and in early 2025, announced a large-scale investment to build onsite power generation facilities and associated natural gas pipeline infrastructure for a large, investment-grade customer Set to develop an approximately 450-acre solar facility in Lakeland, Florida, repurposing a decommissioned phosphate mine from our legacy real estate holdings Continued development of complimentary, alternative low-carbon technologies such as independently verified and certified NextGen Gas, carbon capture and sequestration, solar and battery storage Community and Employee Engagement Contributed over $13.7 million to 2,151 organizations across 50 states, the District of Columbia and Canada Volunteered at 77 nonprofit organizations in 15 states during Williams Volunteer Week Participated in 607 unique engagements with local community stakeholders Administered nearly 300,000 total hours of employee training Supported 10 Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) with total membership exceeding 1,450 employees, or 26% of our workforce Ratings and Awards Named for the fifth consecutive year to the Dow Jones Best-in-Class™ North America Index and for the fourth consecutive year to the Dow Jones Best-in-Class™ World Index Scored in the top 5% of the oil and gas storage and transportation industry peer group for the S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment 2024 Sustainability Yearbook Received an 'A−' score on the 2024 CDP Corporate Questionnaire, which exceeds the industry average of 'B' and North American average of 'C' Upgraded to an 'AA' rating by MSCI Three Williams directors named in 2025 to the Wall Street Journal's inaugural Top 250 Board Directors listing Williams' 2024 Sustainability Report covers operations from January 1 through December 31, 2024, unless otherwise noted, and was prepared in accordance with the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Standards 2021, including GRI 11: Oil and Gas Sector Standard. This report references the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) Oil & Gas — Midstream Standards, Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD), Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Standards, the United Nations SDGs and IFRS Foundation S2 Climate-related Disclosures. In addition, Williams' 2024 Sustainability Report received independent third-party limited assurance from ERM Certification and Verification Services (ERM CVS) for select 2024 greenhouse gas emissions and safety data. About Williams Williams (NYSE: WMB) is a trusted energy industry leader committed to safely, reliably, and responsibly meeting growing energy demand. We use our 33,000-mile pipeline infrastructure to move a third of the nation's natural gas to where it's needed most, supplying the energy used to heat our homes, cook our food and generate low-carbon electricity. For over a century, we've been driven by a passion for doing things the right way. Today, our team of problem solvers is leading the charge into the clean energy future – by powering the global economy while delivering immediate emissions reductions within our natural gas network and investing in new energy technologies. Learn more at Portions of this document may constitute 'forward-looking statements' as defined by federal law. Although Williams believes any such statements are based on reasonable assumptions, there is no assurance that actual outcomes will not be materially different. Any such statements are made in reliance on the 'safe harbor' protections provided under the Private Securities Reform Act of 1995. Additional information about issues that could lead to material changes in performance is contained in Williams' annual and quarterly reports filed with the SEC.


Forbes
31-07-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Why Energy Efficiency Is A Strategic Imperative For Modern Businesses
Frederic Godemel is the Executive Vice-President for Energy Management at Schneider Electric. Despite numerous advances, energy efficiency is often misunderstood. Too frequently, it's equated with cost-cutting or making do with less. But for today's commercial leaders, efficiency is about unlocking resilience and growth. The days when efficiency was relegated to the operations team are over. Rising energy costs, unpredictable supply chains and mounting regulatory scrutiny have made energy efficiency a strategic priority. Organizations that recognize it as a core business lever, as opposed to just an operational afterthought, are outperforming their peers. It's fair to say that it's not just at the company level where this drive to decarbonize has supported growth. For instance, in 2022, "the EU had reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 34% compared to 1990 levels, with a 54% increase in GDP." Energy efficiency now means smarter and more adaptable operations. It's about using resources intelligently to drive profitability, agility and sustainability. The International Energy Agency calls energy efficiency the 'first fuel' of the clean energy transition, but for business, it's also the first fuel for competitive advantage. Digitalization And Electrification A key transformation is happening at the intersection of digitalization and electrification, where the two together are known as electricity 4.0. Digital tools such as smart sensors, connected devices and advanced analytics are giving businesses unprecedented visibility and control over their energy use and processes. Electrification, meanwhile, is replacing fossil-fuel-based systems with cleaner, more efficient electric alternatives. This makes it the most efficient energy source and the best vector for decarbonization. Given the volatility of fossil fuel prices and supplies, sustainable electrification could bring long-term energy security and autonomy. When combined, these forces are reshaping industries. Take, for example, a global manufacturer that uses digital sensors and AI-driven analytics to monitor and optimize its energy consumption in real time. These technologies help prevent unexpected equipment failures and production delays by detecting inefficiencies, predicting maintenance needs and adjusting energy usage based on demand. This cuts emissions and costs while also reducing downtime and keeping operations running smoothly. Greater digitalization helped one of our partners reduce energy consumption by 16%, but they've also managed to achieve a potential 120-ton reduction of CO2 every year. Gaining A Competitive Edge The value of energy efficiency goes far beyond reducing expenses and emissions. It's a shield against volatility and a springboard for innovation. Businesses that optimize energy use are less exposed to price shocks and supply chain disruptions. But beyond this, businesses can become prosumers (producers and consumers of energy) by installing technologies like solar panels and heat pumps. When combined with smart meters or grid interconnection, they can sell excess power back to the grid. Consider an office building that is equipped with rooftop solar panels and battery storage. During sunny months, it might generate more energy than it consumes. This not only lowers energy bills but transforms sustainability into a recruitment and brand asset. This demonstrates how the benefits of efficiency extend past the balance sheet. Efficient, sustainable operations are increasingly a signal of innovation and responsibility, qualities that resonate with customers, investors and regulators alike. BlackRock's 2025 Investor Letter underscored this point: Companies that demonstrate a clear commitment to efficiency and sustainability are more likely to attract long-term investment. The true ROI of efficiency isn't just measured in dollars or kilowatt-hours saved but reflected in the capital freed up for R&D and the time gained for strategic initiatives. Modern efficiency investments deliver cascading benefits: lower maintenance costs, happier and healthier employees and a stronger reputation in the marketplace. Efficiency also plays a crucial role in talent attraction and retention. Today's workforce wants to be part of organizations that are forward-thinking and responsible. Efficient, sustainable operations help position your business as an employer of choice. It's Time For Businesses To Respond Energy efficiency also has the capacity to be a front-line driver of business success. The organizations that thrive in the coming years will likely be those that move beyond outdated definitions and embrace efficiency as a strategic imperative. Getting started doesn't require massive capital or a sweeping transformation overnight. The first step is understanding your baseline by conducting an energy audit to identify where and how energy is being used (and wasted). From there, businesses can prioritize quick wins, like upgrading to LED lighting, installing smart thermostats or optimizing HVAC systems. Here, data is key: Real-time monitoring through digital sensors and analytics can uncover inefficiencies that would otherwise go unnoticed. Businesses can then take action to address them. Of course, challenges will arise, whether it's budget constraints or competing business priorities. But these can be overcome with the right strategy. Start small, set measurable goals and build a roadmap with short- and long-term milestones. Partnering with sustainability consultants can accelerate progress and reduce risks. Above all, embed efficiency into the culture of the organization, not as a compliance task, but as a lever for innovation, resilience and long-term value. The question is no longer whether you can afford to invest in efficiency. It's whether you can afford not to. Forbes Business Development Council is an invitation-only community for sales and biz dev executives. Do I qualify?


Bloomberg
30-07-2025
- Business
- Bloomberg
Google Sees Asia as a ‘Challenging' Region to Decarbonize
Alphabet Inc.'s Google sees Asia as one of the 'most challenging parts of the world' to decarbonize its operations, according to a company official. Some places, like Taiwan for example, are especially tough for the tech giant to secure enough renewable electricity due to a lack of supply, Giorgio Fortunato, head of clean energy and power for the Asia Pacific at Google, said at the Bloomberg Sustainable Business Summit in Singapore. Japan, meanwhile, doesn't have a lot of space for utility scale solar, he added.


Bloomberg
17-07-2025
- Business
- Bloomberg
UK Hydrogen Firm Warns of Spillover From Ethanol Plant Closures
Nascent green energy companies that are needed to decarbonize the UK warned they would be hurt by the closure of the country's ethanol industry. British ethanol makers are facing imminent shutdown due to competition from a wave of cheap product unleashed by a deal with the US that lifted tariffs. It's 'critical' that the Vivergo Fuels plant remains open to support the wider development of sustainable fuels in northeast England, said Richard Clark, development director at Meld Energy.