Abbott reveals global energy policy

Abbott has announced its new global energy policy at a summit in Chicago this week, which details the company’s plans to reduce its carbon emissions and reduce its impact on the environment.

The company also revealed its plans to make its fleet of sales vehicles in the US entirely carbon neutral – becoming the first Fortune 500 company to commit to such action.

A number of targets have been set as part of the company’s global energy policy, with Abbott seeking to attain these goals by 2011.

These include a 12 per cent reduction in the energy purchased by the firm, a 30 per cent drop in carbon emissions, major investments in renewable energy and a 12 per cent switch from oil and coal consumption to more environmentally friendly fuels.

Miles D White, chairman and chief executive officer of Abbott, said: “Our responsibility to the communities where we work and live goes beyond producing innovative products that improve health to how we make our products and operate our business.”

He added that these plans continue the company’s history of responsible business habits to boost global health.

In May 2007, Abbott published its global citizen report for the previous year, with the firm claiming a strong performance in the field of corporate social responsibility.