Resolute’s commitment to renewable energy benefits both the environment and our bottom line. Our strategy to mitigate the company’s carbon footprint includes optimizing the use of green energy while reducing consumption of fossil fuels. Here are some highlights from our GRI-compliant 2020 sustainability reporting.
We generate three quarters of our total energy needs from renewable sources such as carbon-neutral biomass and hydroelectricity. In 2020, our commitment to renewable energy continued to result in a significant drop in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions intensity, which reflects the volume of emissions per unit of production. We recorded a 56% reduction in GHG emissions intensity compared to 2000 levels, a tangible demonstration of Resolute’s carbon leadership. We also reduced our absolute GHG emissions by 83.4% over 2000.
Replacing high-emission fuels like coal with less-carbon-intensive fuels benefits both the environment and our bottom line. We have been scope 1 coal-free since April 2014. We have also reduced the use of bunker C oil at our Clermont, Dolbeau and Saint-Félicien mills in Quebec, and initiatives are currently underway at several facilities to reduce the use of natural gas and to promote biomass or electricity utilization.
In 2020, 75% of our fuel energy needs were met using biomass, including bark, wood residues and biosolids, which we use to help power our facilities rather than sending these waste products to landfill. This approach reduces our consumption of fossil fuels, as well as the GHG emissions associated with their use.
Resolute generates much of its electricity at seven hydroelectric dams and six cogeneration facilities. Cogeneration is the simultaneous generation of electricity and steam, which allows us to extract more energy from our fuel. In 2020, we produced the equivalent of 44% of our electricity needs internally (owned and self-generated), purchasing the remainder from third parties.
Several other initiatives are underway to further reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and support our production of renewable energy. For instance, through our beneficial-use alternatives program, we successfully recovered 11% of our manufacturing facilities’ waste for use as fuel.
Resolute remains focused on exploring new ways to optimize renewable energy and reduce our consumption of fossil fuels. We invite you to learn more by visiting our Green Energy page on our corporate website.
