Is Automation Manufacturer Emerson on the Path to Net Zero?

In its 2024 Sustainability Report, Emerson outlines the progress and priorities shaping its environmental and social responsibility agenda. 

The global technology, software and engineering company continues to evolve into a high-impact automation technology leader, embedding sustainability across its operations, culture and product portfolio. 

With climate ambition backed by engineering expertise and cross-sector partnerships, Emerson is aiming to be well positioned to help accelerate the global transition to net zero.

Climate action

Emerson’s net zero operations goal targets a 90% absolute reduction in Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2030, with full value chain net zero targeted for 2045. 

The company reported a 48% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 emissions in 2024 compared to its 2021 baseline, driven by a 30% cut in energy intensity and a shift to 57% renewable electricity across its global operations. 

Scope 3 emissions, which account for 97% of the company’s footprint, fell by 13% across the same period, with product energy use (Category 11) representing the largest contributor.

Emerson’s roadmap to 2030 includes energy efficiency initiatives, renewable electricity procurement, fleet electrification and Scope 1 abatement through low-carbon fuels. 

Its internal carbon price, set at US$90 per ton of CO₂ equivalent in 2024, helps drive investment decisions that align with sustainability objectives. 

The company also supports global energy grid decarbonisation through membership in RE100 and Clean Energy Buyers Association and by deploying its own automation technologies to enable energy transition projects.

“We are taking action to enhance our environmental sustainability performance while supporting our customers in achieving their own sustainability goals,” comments Lal Karsanbhai, CEO and President of Emerson.

“In 2024, 57% of the electricity used across our global operations came from renewable sources, bringing us closer to our goal of achieving net zero operations by 2030. 

“At the same time, we are advancing more sustainable product design by embedding environmental considerations into our innovation and engineering processes and delivering technologies and solutions that help our customers meet their sustainability objectives.”

Technology driven sustainability

Through its “Greening By Emerson” strategy, the company is actively enabling customers to reduce emissions, improve efficiency and meet regulatory requirements. 

Its technologies are deployed in critical infrastructure across energy, manufacturing, life sciences and transportation. 

Emerson’s automation systems played a central role in New Zealand’s first fleet of grid-scale solar farms and in PosHYdon, the world’s first offshore green hydrogen platform in the Dutch North Sea.

In Canada, Emerson and Spartan Controls partnered with ConocoPhillips to deploy emissions-reduction technologies that cut over 12 million tons of CO₂ since 2016. 

Its software and control systems also support carbon capture and storage (CCS) facilities in South Korea and the United States, offering real-time monitoring, data analytics and optimisation tools for purification, compression and storage phases. 

Across these sectors, Emerson is helping scale low-carbon fuels, accelerate hydrogen deployment and reduce methane leakage through intelligent sensors and actuators.

Circular economy and resource efficiency

In 2024, Emerson expanded its circularity agenda with a goal of achieving zero waste to landfill by 2032. 

The company diverted 58% of operational waste away from landfill, up from 57% the year before. 

Its waste profile includes 94% non-hazardous waste, with recycling, reuse and composting prioritised across sites.

Initiatives like Waste Treasure Hunts were introduced to help manufacturing teams identify reduction opportunities on-site. 

In China, its Measurement & Analytical team replaced single-use packaging with a durable, recyclable solution, while in the US, sustainable packaging pilots reduced foam use, eliminated plastic and switched to paper tape. 

Emerson also partnered with the University of North Texas to develop green metal powders for additive manufacturing, halving the carbon footprint compared to conventional methods.

Water stewardship and biodiversity

Alongside emissions and waste, water reduction is another key pillar of Emerson’s environmental goals. 

The company aims to reduce purchased water by 10% by 2032 and in 2024 it reported consumption of 1,321 megalitres, down from 1,346 the year before. 

Water mapping, leak detection upgrades and stormwater reuse are being implemented across priority sites.

Emerson also conducted its first global biodiversity assessment, mapping the proximity of its sites to ecologically sensitive areas. 

Only 2% of global facilities were within five kilometres of high-value conservation zones. 

This analysis will inform future site strategy and disclosure under evolving biodiversity regulations.

What’s the future outlook?

In 2024, the company established a new Sustainability Reporting Governance Framework to prepare for incoming disclosure regulations. 

“I’m excited to share the progress we’ve made in our newly released sustainability report which summarises our efforts in Planet, Our People, Integrity, and Responsible Sourcing at Emerson…” writes Michael H. Train, CSO at Emerson, on LinkedIn.

“As we look ahead, we remain energised by our mission, to drive lasting impact and create a world that’s healthier, safer, smarter and more sustainable.”