Case Study
How Trane Technologies Uses Sustainability Management Software to Track Renewable Energy Credits and Dramatically Reduce Its Carbon Footprint
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RECs allocated
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MWh of electricity allocated
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Sites receiving RECs
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Metric tons of market-based Scope 2 CO2 emissions eliminated
The Challenge: Tracking and Allocating Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) Across a Global Carbon Footprint
Trane Technologies operates as a global climate innovator, bringing efficient and sustainable climate solutions to buildings, homes, and transportation. One of its bold commitments for Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) and sustainability improvements is to become carbon neutral by 2030.
To achieve this goal, the company would need to reduce Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions from its manufacturing operations, warehouses, distribution centers, service centers, research and design labs, offices, and service fleet. Trane first focused its sights on reducing market-based Scope 2 emissions for purchased electricity and investing in Renewable Energy Credits.
Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) are certificates issued when energy is generated and delivered to the grid from a renewable source, such as solar or wind, and purchased by organizations to claim ownership of renewable energy generation.
RECs can be used to help companies reduce their Scope 2 emissions under the market-based accounting method.
Tracking and allocating RECs across Trane’s 700+ global facilities would be a heavy lift requiring:
- Routine collection and monitoring of operational sustainability data;
- Consolidated REC tracking and allocation to individual sites;
- Calculation of adjusted Scope 2 emissions using market-based factors and REC allocations; and
- Data quality, transparency, and reporting for external assurance.
The Solution: Digitize and Automate to Simplify REC Tracking and Allocation
Accelerating the Journey to Carbon Neutral with the Benchmark Gensuite® Sustainability Management Software
Trane partnered with Benchmark Gensuite to develop a comprehensive digital solutions package that would offer a structured process and platform for tracking and allocating RECs. This process enabled the company to:
Collaborate on the development of configurable, scalable solutions tailored to its unique use case
Automatically calculate company sustainability metrics for emissions, resource consumption, and energy usage
Expand its emissions factor library including market-based and location-based calculations
Integrate reporting with data analytics and visualizations
Taking Charge of RECs Across the Enterprise
We contracted with a Texas wind farm for a multi-year agreement that provides a large allotment of RECs that accounts for about 30% of our US Scope 2 carbon.
We do an analysis monthly, apply the REC, and basically zero out the electricity in our adjusted market calculations within the Benchmark Gensuite tool. They've come up with a strategy of how to incorporate the market emissions calculations, the renewable energy certificate, and the carbon credit.
The takeaway from a supply chain, corporate environmental resource standpoint is the importance of having a tool that's trustworthy and open to all our colleagues and leaders. Benchmark Gensuite was the logical place to build this.
We've got lots of external sustainability reports and questionnaires, CDP and DJSI, and our annual ESG report; all that is easier to process now with the implementation of Benchmark Gensuite."
– Director, Global Environmental Programs, Trane
Empower your teams to manage carbon reduction strategies enterprise-wide and track progress towards targets with the Benchmark Gensuite Sustainability Management Software platform, a comprehensive digital solutions package.
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Track Your Carbon Footprint
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Identify & Execute Sustainability Projects
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Measure Progress Toward Goals
Spotlight on Levin Sources, a Benchmark Gensuite Partner
Levin Sources is a global B Corp-certified consultancy that:
- Enables governments, businesses, investors, and civil society to build sustainable, valuable, and equitable minerals value chains in line with major voluntary and mandatory ESG standards.
- Provides expertise with 130+ minerals and metals.
- Executes projects in over 90 countries and regions around the world.
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