How ABB's EPD Electric Motor First Could Boost Scope 3

ABB has pioneered environmental transparency by publishing the first-ever Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) for large electric motors.

Focusing on its AMS 1120 series of synchronous motors, ABB’s EPD sets a new benchmark for the industry by offering detailed lifecycle insights into the environmental impact of these motors, from production through to disposal.

Aligned with ISO 14025:2006 Type III standards, this EPD outlines CO2 emissions across each lifecycle stage, allowing customers to assess their environmental impact and make informed decisions aligned with sustainability goals.

Unpacking the emissions: Use phase and upstream contributions

The EPD reveals that the use phase alone accounts for a remarkable 99% of the motor's total lifetime CO2 emissions.

When the motor is active in high-energy settings like Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) operations and other industrial applications, this stage produces an estimated 2.4 megatons of CO2. Such figures underscore the crucial role that energy efficiency and clean energy sources play in reducing emissions in operational stages.

Beyond operational emissions, the EPD highlights emissions generated during the upstream phase, which encompasses raw material extraction and production of components.

This phase contributes approximately 279 tonnes of CO2, signalling areas where ABB and its suppliers could optimise energy use or increase the proportion of renewable energy sources. By disclosing these upstream figures, ABB addresses a critical area of focus: Scope 3 emissions.

By providing transparency on these indirect emissions, ABB enables its customers to assess the full environmental impact of the AMS 1120 motors they purchase, making it possible to manage and potentially reduce their Scope 3 emissions.

This level of insight is especially valuable for businesses seeking to achieve their own environmental targets while tracking the emissions associated with suppliers.

ABB’s commitment to sustainable development

ABB’s EPD exemplifies the company’s commitment to a sustainable future. It aligns with its “Engineered to Outrun” vision, which focuses on optimising industrial efficiency and minimising carbon footprints.

ABB Motion, the division responsible for motors and drives, has been at the forefront of designing solutions that support low-carbon and energy-efficient industrial practices.

This EPD initiative demonstrates ABB’s dedication to going beyond Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions (those created by direct and indirect energy use) to actively reduce Scope 3 emissions that arise from the upstream and downstream activities in its product lifecycle.

Through the EPD, ABB supports customers in achieving a deeper understanding of the emissions embedded in their supply chain.

This move sets a significant precedent for how manufacturers can facilitate Scope 3 reductions by offering transparent data on each product’s lifecycle emissions.

Leading the industry in transparency and compliance

As environmental standards and regulatory requirements evolve, ABB’s proactive publication of an EPD positions it to comply with forthcoming environmental directives, such as the EU’s eco-design regulation.

These standards increasingly require manufacturers to disclose the environmental impact of products, aligning with ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) frameworks that drive corporate responsibility and investor interest.

ABB’s EPD allows it to stay ahead of compliance requirements while influencing industry-wide best practices.

Beyond regulatory compliance, the EPD sets a new standard for environmental reporting across the electric motor industry. By enabling data-driven decision-making, ABB’s EPD contributes to making environmental assessments a key factor in procurement processes.

By making it easier for businesses to assess indirect emissions from purchased goods, ABB’s EPD aids customers in managing emissions across their value chains, contributing to the broader goal of a low-carbon industrial ecosystem.

Through the first-ever EPD for large motors, ABB has not only set a sustainability benchmark but has also empowered customers to make environmentally responsible choices in their operations.

As industries work collectively to minimise emissions, ABB’s pioneering declaration highlights the essential role of transparency in reaching a low-carbon future.

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