Johnson Controls – one of the world’s leading manufacturers of heating and cooling products that use natural refrigerants like ammonia/NH3 (R717) – has been recognized for its sustainability efforts with two awards from Chinese media outlet Jiemian.
According to a statement from Johnson Controls, the awards were an acknowledgement of its “exceptional environmental, social and governance [ESG] performance and remarkable accomplishments in sustainability.”
In addition, the President of Johnson Controls’ Asia Pacific region, Anu Rathninde, was presented the “ESG Exploration Character of the Year” award by Jiemian.
“Johnson Controls is an ESG pioneer, committed to creating a safe, comfortable and sustainable world,” said Rathninde. “We were granted ‘ESG Pioneer 60’ awards in recognition of our long-term efforts as well as our governance model and value system. We’ll continue to stay humble with ESG being front and center in everything we do.”
“Receiving the two awards demonstrates Johnson Controls as a leader in practicing the ESG concepts and pursuing green operations,” added the manufacturer.
The ESG Pioneer 60 Awards were presented by Jiemian – part of the Shanghai United Media Group – at its 5th Annual Financial Conference in Shanghai on December 20, 2022.
Sharing ESG best practices in China
Through the awards, Jiemian commends companies that “actively practice ESG concepts” to encourage sustainability in business. It also aims to help set a “benchmark for excellence” for industry in China.
“As a pioneer in ESG, Johnson Controls has brought best practices to China and is also working closely with various stakeholders to drive high-quality and sustainable development in China,” said Guang Yang, Vice President and General Manager of Johnson Controls in China. “Being recognized with the ‘Top 60 of ESG Pioneer’ award makes us more confident in developing business in China and leveraging our expertise in building technology to create and share a new green future together with our local partners.”
“As a pioneer in ESG, Johnson Controls has brought best practices to China and is also working closely with various stakeholders to drive high-quality and sustainable development in China.”
Guang Yang, Johnson Controls
The company’s announcement of a series of “green and low-carbon solutions” in addition to its OpenBlue digital platform will “continue to help numerous Chinese customers and partners in various sectors achieve their sustainable development goals,” it said.
Johnson Controls delivered a keynote speech at Jiemian’s Annual Financial Conference that shared best practices and insights on digital technology, ESG and sustainability.
ESG at Johnson Controls
According to Johnson Controls, it is “taking multiple measures” to address the various aspects of ESG.
Regarding environmental sustainability, Johnson Controls has committed to achieving net-zero emissions by 2040 across both scope 1 (direct emissions from operations) and scope 2 (indirect emissions from energy supply). Since 2017, the company has reduced its emissions intensity by more than 48% and its energy intensity by 18%, it said.
In June 2022, Johnson Controls CEO George Oliver, in partnership with other leading global executives, called on G7-country leaders to accelerate action limiting greenhouse gas emissions.
At the 27th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP27) in Egypt in November 2022, Johnson Controls also participated in discussions on how to address climate change and achieve net-zero carbon emissions.
Through its ammonia-based chiller and heat pump technologies, the company is also supporting its customers’ sustainability efforts, with a growing focus on product efficiency and circularity.
In addition to its environmental sustainability efforts, Johnson Controls has said that it actively engages in social responsibility and corporate governance initiatives, including volunteering services, charitable donations and diversity in senior leadership.
Johnson Controls’ sustainability efforts have been acknowledged by several organizations over the year, including EcoVadis, Microsoft and the Financial Times.
“Johnson Controls will continue to share its rich ESG experience and strong expertise in the buildings sector with various stakeholders to drive their ESG practices,” said the company. It added that it will also work to “help promote the green transformation and high-quality development of various cities and industries, empower a zero-carbon future with innovative digital technology and facilitate the sustainability of mankind and the entire world with smart technologies.”
