As South Africa prepares to recognise Energy Month in May 2016, the Chemical and Allied Industries' Association (CAIA) reminds its members and the entire chemical industry of its commitment to conserve and minimise power usage.
“CAIA members’ commitment to self-regulation is embodied in the Responsible Care® initiative that is in its 31st year of implementation internationally and in its 22nd in South Africa,” explains Deidré Penfold, Executive Director of CAIA.
“Implemented in around 60 countries, Responsible Care® is a set of guidelines and principles – governed by self-assessments and independent verification – to ensure the safe use and management of chemicals throughout the value chain. The ultimate goal of the initiative is to continuously improve safety, health and environmental performance and reporting to stakeholders.
“Part of the Responsible Care® signatories’ promise is to the upholding of its pillars, including sustainability of natural resources. It was noted in the 2015 Responsible Care® Report that CAIA members had improved both the efficient use of energy and the overall consumption of energy. CAIA expects that total energy efficiency will continue to improve but at a slower rate than improvements in electricity consumption efficiency, as industry seeks alternative fuel sources (mostly for the production of electricity) to those currently in use.
“We urge the chemical industry to consider the demands that will be placed upon the regulators, as winter approaches, and to encourage all employees to save energy where possible.
“As part of the Responsible Care® programme, CAIA has produced 12 posters for plants and offices – below is the May poster, which is available for download from the member’s section of the website, or as a PDF for printing,” concludes Penfold.
CAIA launched the Responsible Care® programme in South Africa in 1994. This is the global chemical industry’s unique initiative to improve health, safety and environmental performance and to communicate with stakeholders about products and processes. In addition to this programme, CAIA provides linkages to sustainability in the chemical industries’ value chain through advocacy, training, support of educational drives in maths and science and the advancement of these concepts into sub-Saharan Africa.
CAIA is a member of the International Council of Chemical Associations (ICCA), the worldwide voice of the chemical industry, representing chemical manufacturers and producers all over the world and is recognised by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). These international alliances allow the Association to source best practice in training, information, advocacy and legislative compliance.
