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Measuring Progress
Environmental

Our natural gas-based nitrogen production process is more energy efficient and results in lower emissions than the coal-based processes used in other parts of the world. However, the Haber-Bosch process, which converts natural gas and atmospheric nitrogen into ammonia, is inherently energy-intensive. We continually invest in our manufacturing and distribution facilities to improve energy efficiency and reliability.

Emissions are closely related to our energy use, which itself is largely a function of our production volumes.

23%
of total electricity consumed by operations comes from renewable sources.
As reported by our utility suppliers.

Energy and Emissions

  2017 2018 2019
Energy Consumption Gigajoules (GJ)1 376,604,447 366,620,598 380,106,437
Energy Intensity Gigajoule (GJ)Tonne of Productions 1,2 11.6 11.2 11.1
CO2e Emissions Intensity Tonne of CO2e/Tonne of Production3 0.57 0.54 0.56
Total CO2e Scope 1 Emissions Million Metric Tonnes3,4 17.6 16.7 18.3
Total CO2e Scope 2 Emissions Metric Tonnes(Thousands)3,5 866.6 896.4 883.7
  1. Source: Internal CF Data
  2. For the 2019 reporting year, CF changed the calculation for its energy intensity number from GJ/Nutrient Tonne to GJ/Tonne of Production. This modification ensures consistency with our CO2e emissions intensity calculation.
  3. Source: Internal CF Data and Ruby Canyon.
  4. Direct GHG emissions occur from sources that are owned or controlled by CF
  5. Scope 2 accounts for GHG emissions from the generation of purchased electricity consumed by CF

NOx, SOx and Other Emissions (metric tonnes)

  2017 2018 2019
PM10 820 807 872
PM10 747 734 760
NOx 9,995 9,684 9,984
SO2 29 30 29
VOCs 2,320 1,835 882
NH3 8,723 9,203 10,384

Source: Internal CF Data and Ruby Canyon

Water

CF uses water for many purposes at our manufacturing sites, including steam generation, cooling water that keeps equipment at necessary temperatures, and as a raw material additive for products such as aqua ammonia and diesel exhaust fluid (DEF). We are committed to being good stewards of this essential resource, both in our operations and near farmland where our products are applied. Each gallon of water that enters a CF plant from rivers, wells or nearby cities is reused approximately 29 times.

  2017 2018 2019
Water Withdrawal (Megaliters) 132,737 126,132 143,545
Water Discharge (Megaliters) 59,926 61,527 83,124
Water Consumption (Megaliters) 72,811 64,582 60,420

Waste

CF’s manufacturing processes are not waste-intensive compared to other industrial processes. Of note, nearly all of our sites are small quantity generators as defined by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The majority of our raw materials and our products are received/shipped in bulk. This results in less packaging waste for us and our value chain. In addition, we have active waste management programs at each of our manufacturing and distribution facilities. We track the waste we do produce and work to minimize our impact where possible. See GRI 306 and SASB RT-CH-150a.1 for CF’s waste disclosures.