As the need for sustainable practices all over the world becomes stronger, companies are increasingly taking up the mantle of responsibility to minimize their negative impact on the planet. One such company at the forefront of this movement is Baden Aniline and Soda Factory– or BASF– the largest chemical company in the world.
BASF was founded by German industrialist Friedrich Engelhorn in 1865. The company started out by manufacturing mainly plastics and oils, but in recent years, has focused on improving sustainability.
Recently, BASF established their movement known as Change for Climate, in which the company strives toward reducing emissions, creating cleaner substances, and discovering new, innovative ways to save and reuse energy and materials.
So far, the company has been effective, as BASF states, “We have an established track record in reducing our global CO2 emissions. Since 1990, we’ve almost halved them.” The company intends to keep reducing their emissions even further, planning to eventually neutralize them by 2050.
In addition, BASF has introduced projects which they believe will be the future of renewable energy including a heat pump the size of a soccer field, the biggest wind farm in the world, and fuel-efficient airplanes based on the science of the movement of a shark’s fin.
BASF’s efforts could be groundbreaking. Environmental Club member Julia O’Neill is really optimistic about Change for Climate, stating “I think it’s great that new ways are being found to reduce climate change, especially by major corporations. They’re responsible for most of the negative impacts on our environment, so this is a massive step in reducing our carbon footprint.”
The journey to a carbon-free future may be ambitious, but with initiatives like “Change for Climate,” there is genuine optimism that we are moving in the right direction– one where businesses play a vital role in shaping a greener, healthier planet for the future to come.
