Now, more than ever, businesses have an urgent responsibility to lead in reducing carbon emissions and advancing sustainability.
This was the theme echoed by speakers throughout the annual CEOs for Sustainability C-Suite Summit, held November 14, 2024 at PNC Park.
The gathering, hosted by CEOs for Sustainability and Sustainable Pittsburgh, and sponsored by the Pittsburgh Pirates, convened more than 120 business executives and managers, nonprofit leaders, members of academia, and others. Robert (Bob) Nutting, CEO and Chairman of the Board of the Pittsburgh Pirates and CEOs for Sustainability member, kicked things off with an overview of the Pirates’ sustainability initiatives and a riveting call to action for business leadership in sustainability.
The compounding positive impacts of business’s meaningful embrace of sustainability are enormous. More than two dozen CEOs for Sustainability member companies shared their commitments to a more sustainable future, with goals that include attaining carbon neutrality for Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions, purchasing 100% renewable electricity for office locations, and achieving zero waste to landfill.
Keynote speaker Peter Votruba-Drzal, Vice President of Global Sustainability for PPG, shared his company’s strategies for achieving success in achieving aggressive sustainability goals. PPG is the first U.S.-based coatings manufacturer to have validated science-based targets.
With its headquarters in Pittsburgh, PPG’s products are found in some of the world’s best known products and brands including electronic devices, planes, appliances, cars, beverage cans, and more. Votruba-Drzal emphasized innovation and collaboration across the value chain and the importance of embedding sustainability within all business functions as pathways for success. Plans for meeting PPG’s 2030 goals include prioritizing investments in energy efficiency projects, continuing investments in renewal energy sources in the U.S., collaborating with customers to drive value chain creation, and setting expectations with strategic suppliers for lower carbon materials, processes, and circularity.
After the keynote, Scott Tobe, CEO of Signature Wealth and Chair of the CEOs for Sustainability Education Committee, introduced two concurrent sessions from which participants could choose: a panel focused on driving supply chain sustainability and presentations on funding opportunities, including RISE PA for industrial decarbonization and energy efficiency projects.
Moderated by Jana Lake, President of 3R Sustainability and CEOs for Sustainability Co-Chair, the panel comprised the following experts:
- Nick Goodfellow – Sustainability Manager, University of Pittsburgh
- Justine Russo – Director of Sustainability and Business Intelligence, PITT OHIO
- Bruce Sullivan – Head of Supply Chain and Logistics, Covestro LLC
The conversation centered around measuring Scope 3 emissions and the panelists’ experiences in creating more sustainable supply chains. There are 15 categories comprising Scope 3, including upstream (e.g. purchased goods and services, employee commuting) and downstream (e.g. transportation and distribution of sold products, investments). Common themes discussed included the importance of data and analysis and the benefits of improved efficiencies. Panelists also noted supply chain sustainability helps differentiate their companies in the marketplace, and builds competitive advantage. Even in a newly changed political landscape, of which one audience member raised concern, panelists noted supply chain sustainability as critical to operations, with plans to stay the course.
Separately, Louie Krak, Infrastructure Implementation Coordinator for the Pennsylvania Dept. of Environmental Protection (PA DEP) covered the RISE PA program: Reducing Industrial Sector Emissions in Pennsylvania. RISE PA is a $396 million statewide grant program focused on industrial decarbonization. It is funded through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Climate Pollution Reduction Grants, through the Inflation Reduction Act.
Krak highlighted key eligibility criteria for applicants, focusing on industries that can apply, including manufacturing, mining, and other industrial operations in Pennsylvania. This funding is still available, despite uncertainty following the federal election. Krak noted companies undertaking Act 129 programs may see a benefit in engaging in Rise PA and small companies can submit applications for each location they have. In other words, companies are not limited to one application/project. More information is available on the RISE PA webpage of the DEP website.
Following Krak’s presentation were Troy Geanopulos, CEO of the The Efficiency Network and member of CEOs for Sustainability, and Zach Merritt, General Manager of Business Services for Duquesne Light Company (also a CEOs for Sustainability member via President and CEO Kevin Walker.) Together, Geanopulos and Merritt guided participants through strategies for accessing funding opportunities for energy efficiency and decarbonization projects, highlighting innovative approaches such as “energy as a service” and funding “stacking” to maximize impact. They shared compelling regional examples, including projects at Acrisure Stadium and the Community College of Allegheny County, showcasing how these initiatives can align with sustainability and utility reduction goals while leveraging incentives, grants, and tax credits.
The mandate for carbon reduction is clear, with the last 10 years being the hottest ever recorded globally, on top of the undeniable warming trend across the last century. According to science, human-caused carbon pollution is the unequivocal culprit. 2021 data from the Energy Information Administration notes that Pennsylvania is the fourth largest emitter of carbon dioxide in the country.
Upon reconvening in the main plenary room, both Joylette Portlock, Ph.D., Executive Director of Sustainable Pittsburgh, and Jana Lake offered closing remarks, underscoring the importance and the benefits of business leadership in this space. Participants then had the option to take a behind the scenes tour of beautiful PNC Park.