Calor’s emissions up 1% on rising LPG imports

Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) supplier Calor has reported a 1.2% increase in carbon emissions per tonne of LPG sold in 2012, over 2011 levels.


The increase is primarily due to a growth in electricity consumption as a result of increased activity at the company’s LPG terminals, including a significant rise in the volume of LPG passing through its Canvey Island terminal in 2012.

According to Calor’s 2013 Sustainability Progress report, this has increased by 27% since 2010 and is a direct result of the reduced availability of LPG from UK refineries.

Historically, UK refineries provided more than half of the company’s LPG supply, however this has steadily declined in recent years, forcing Calor to rely more heavily on imports via ship.

Importing LPG in to its own terminal requires energy for processing the gas and therefore electricity usage at Calor’s terminals has risen, resulting in increased carbon emissions.

Despite a reduction in the company’s procurement and delivery carbon footprint, due to optimisation of its vehicle fleet and continued investment in its distribution strategy, this was not enough to offset the additional emissions resulting from increased electricity consumption.

The company has seen a relatively consistent level of total carbon emitted over the last five years, dropping from 40,916 tonnes in 2007 to 39,996 tonnes in 2009 and back up to 41,191 tonnes in 2012.

The company is investigating ways in which to reduce carbon emissions, however, the “main solution” – the use of Biodiesel – has been discounted due to “performance and reliability issues”, as reported in its 2012 Sustainability report.

Speaking to edie today, a spokesperson for Calor also put the total carbon emissions increase in 2012 down to the “very cold and prolonged winter”, which increased deliveries.

“We delivered over 20,000 tonnes more LPG in 2012 than in 2011,” the spokesperson added.

Last year, Calor decided against switching 30% of its vehicles to biodiesel fuel after a review found that the move would impact on the reliability of the company’s transport operations.

“We have discounted the use of biodiesel due to performance and cost issues – Calor’s priority is to ensure a reliable supply of LPG to our customers and to keep our prices as low as possible,” added the spokesperson.

However, the company claims it will continue to pursue improvements wherever possible by focusing on achieving greater efficiencies within its operations.

“We have taken direct action to reduce our carbon emissions in other areas, purchasing 100% green electricity, investing in solar PV and low carbon heating systems, and continuing to optimise our vehicle fleet,” the spokesperson said.

Leigh Stringer

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