3M was recognized not once, but twice by The Clean Energy Ministerial (CEM) at their annual meeting in Vancouver, Canada this week for championing ISO 50001 and Superior Energy Performance (SEP) programs. ISO 50001 is an energy management system based on a “Plan-Do-Check-Act" continuous improvement cycle. It also applies data, systems, and targets to ensure that continuous improvement in energy use is part of everything we do.

The CEM is a high-level global forum to promote policies and programs that advance clean energy technology, share lessons learned and best practices, and encourage the transition to a global clean energy economy.

3M was one of four organizations that received the Award of Excellence in Energy Management for improving collective energy performance in over 30 of 3M's sites in seven countries – reducing energy, cutting emissions and lowering energy costs.

Improving energy efficiency is fundamental to achieving 3M’s Sustainability goals and helps to create a strong competitive advantage. 3M’s approach includes evaluating the impact of new products, manufacturing processes and equipment, as well as reducing the energy footprint of all locations. 

These efforts helped 3M expand its ISO 50001 expertise and certification from two initial plants in 2011 (pilot study) to 30 sites in seven countries as part of its global enterprise model. Over three years, the 30 sites improved their collective energy performance by 4.5%—reducing energy use by more than 1.9 million gigajoules (GJ), cutting emissions by 330,000 tons (carbon dioxide equivalent) and lowering energy costs by USD 13.5 million.

3M Canada was also recognized at the event as one of 28 companies to receive the Energy Management Insight award. This award recognizes those companies that help build awareness of ISO 50001 and are contributing to global knowledge of energy management implementation.

Through the ISO 50001 and SEP programs, 3M Canada has reduced their carbon emissions by over 100,000 mega tons, equivalent to the annual emissions of 22,000 vehicles.

Denise Rutherford, SVP of Corporate Affairs, attended the meeting to accept the awards on 3M’s behalf.

For more information on why 3M received the Award of Excellence in Energy Management, please read the CEM’s in-depth case study.

For more information on why 3M Canada was named an Energy Management Insight award winner, read the case study.

To learn more about 3M Sustainability, please check out our 2019 Sustainability Report.