Suncor Outlines Environmental Goals

Suncor Energy Inc. today announced the release of its web-based 2009 Report on Sustainability - a comprehensive review of the company’s environmental, social and economic performance for the past twoyears.
The seventh biennial report, entitled ’Seeing the Possibilities in a Changing World,’ profiles Suncor’s progress on a wide range of sustainability objectives. For the first time, the report outlines performance goals aimed at reducing the company’s environmental footprint.
"The theme of our report is timely," says Rick George, president and chief executive officer. "Suncor has always been about seeing possibilities when others saw only problems and obstacles. Through our focus on operational excellence, we’re targeting improvements in every aspect of our business. And, with the goals outlined in the report, we’re working hard to produce energy required to fuel our economy in a way that is socially beneficial and preserves a healthy environment."Suncor has set the following company-wide environmental performance goals in relation to its existing assets:- Reduce water intake by 12 percent by 2015- Increase land area reclaimed by 100 percent by 2015- Improve energy efficiency by 10 percent by 2015- Reduce current air emissions by 10 percent by 2015All of the proposed reductions are absolute, except for energy efficiency, which is intensity based (energy used per unit of production). While the goals will require significant financial and human resources, Suncor plans to achieve them even while targeting production growth.
The Report on Sustainability also serves as Suncor’s 15th annual Climate Change report, documenting the company’s progress in managing greenhouse gas emissions using its seven-point climate change action plan. The action plan includes developing renewable energy sources and participating in public policy discussions. As part of its sustainability commitment, the company plans to align its current greenhouse gas (GHG) strategy to address emerging climate change policies by 2010.Suncor’s Report on Sustainability also provides historical performance trends in a number of key areas. Performance highlights include: - A 22 percent reduction in absolute water use over the past six years.- Reclamation of more than 1,000 hectares of land.- A reduction in GHG emissions intensity at its oil sands plant by 45 percent compared to 1990 levels.- A reduction in the frequency of Suncor employee and contractor lost-time injuries by two thirds and a 50 percent reduction in the frequency of recordable injuries.- Investment of $24.9 million in 2007 and 2008 by Suncor and the SuncorEnergy Foundation in hundreds of charitable organizations and non-profit groups.- Over $13 billion in capital spending in 2007 and 2008. Suncor’s supply chain spending reached all ten provinces and the Northwest Territories.- Achieving a $1 billion spending milestone in Aboriginal goods and services, including $367 million in 2007 and 2008.- $2.6 billion in royalty payments to the Alberta government. An additional $2 billion was paid in property and excise taxes to all three levels of government.Suncor compiled the 2009 Report on Sustainability in accordance with the Global Reporting Initiative G3 Guidelines - an internationally recognized standard in sustainability reporting. As in previous years, an independent third party verified a number of performance indicators. Suncor also enlisted the guidance of Ceres, a network of investors, labour, environmental, and other public interest groups in developing the report.
The web-based report, which incorporates text articles, photos, data tables, charts, graphs, and videos of Suncor leaders and stakeholders, as well as a summary pdf document, is now available at www.suncor.com/sustainability