Global Climate Change

Each greenhouse gas differs in its ability to absorb heat in the atmosphere. This property is called Global Warming Potential or GWP. Methane traps over 21 times more heat per molecule than carbon dioxide, and nitrous oxide absorbs 270 times more heat per molecule than carbon dioxide. Hydro- FluoroCarbons and PerFluoroCarbons are the most heat-absorbent. Sulfur Hexafluoride (SF6) has a GWP of 22,200. Often, estimates of greenhouse gas emissions are presented in units of CO2e or carbon dioxide equivalents, which weights each gas by its GWP relative to an equal amount of carbon dioxide.

As the world’s leading coatings and specialty products and services company, we recognize our responsibility to address two of the critical issues facing the world today: energy security and climate change. MORE>
Many of PPG’s products offer substantial energy savings and subsequent substantial GHG reductions. PPG has developed Ecological Building Solutions, an exclusive collection of select products designed to help architects construct “greener” buildings.
PPG will design, build and operate our facilities in ways that prevent harm to public health and the environment, conserve energy, water and raw materials, integrate pollution prevention and make a positive contribution to the surrounding community and to society as a whole. MORE>
In March, 2007 the US Environmental Protection Agency announced that PPG has become a Climate Leaders partner:

“EPA’s Climate Leaders is an industry-government partnership that works with companies to develop long-term comprehensive climate change strategies.” MORE>
PPG participates in the United States Business Roundtable’s (BRT)

“Climate RESOLVE” (Responsible Environmental Steps, Opportunities to lead by Voluntary Efforts) initiative. As a RESOLVE member, PPG has committed to reducing its GHG Emission Intensity from sources in the United States by 18% by 2012 from a 2002 baseline.
BY 2006, PPG had reduced its GHG intensity by 18%, from 2002 but will continue to work to maintain our performance.
In January, 2007, PPG joined the Climate Northeast partnership, which includes 14 companies from various economic sectors . The Climate Northeast partnership builds strategies for companies to thrive in a carbon-constrained economy. By working together, the partners have an opportunity to learn, share best practices and solutions with a diverse set of peers, create a leadership forum on corporate responses to GHG issues, and become more informed and effective participants in policy dialogues taking place in the Northeast and beyond. MORE>