As part of our 2030 Strategy and sustainability commitments, we have set a series of climate change mitigation targets. I am excited to announce that these have now been approved and validated by the globally recognized Science Based Targets initiative. This approval is an important milestone that aligns our company-wide greenhouse gas reduction initiatives with the climate science framework.
Through the science-based targets Huhtamaki commits:
- To reduce absolute scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions 27.5% by 2030 from a 2019 base year
- To reduce absolute scope 3 GHG emissions from end-of-life treatment of sold products by 13.5% within the same timeframe
- That 70% of its suppliers by spend covering purchased good and services will have science-based targets by 2026
It is undeniable that these science-based targets are ambitious. This is exactly why we must embrace them, and with their help, guide our company towards true decarbonization. Importantly, the science-based targets not only look at our immediate emissions but also take into consideration the entire value chain.
Reducing emissions across our entire value chain is key
To deliver a truly systemic decarbonization shift, we must keep a holistic perspective on sustainability matters. In order to succeed, being pragmatic and working together across the value chain is key. No one organization can overcome this challenge alone. This is why the science-based targets with their comprehensive outlook on the entire value chain are instrumental in creating impactful collective climate action.
Today, the majority of Huhtamaki’s greenhouse gas emissions come from the value chain and are linked to raw materials. To reduce the emissions related to its raw materials, Huhtamaki has committed to ensuring that 70% of the companies it uses to purchase goods and services have signed up to Science Based Targets. In addition, Huhtamaki’s commitment to have 100% of its products designed to be recyclable, compostable or reusable by 2030 contributes towards achieving the 13.5% reduction of absolute scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions from end-of-life treatment of sold products.
From our own operations and electricity supply (scopes 1 and 2), we will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 27.5% by 2030 from a 2019 base year. Contributing to this target is our commitment to use 100% renewable electricity by 2030, as well as our continuous efforts to improve the energy efficiency of our operations. We have already made significant progress on the use of renewable energy in a number of our manufacturing units in South Africa and India, where solar panels have been installed and generate electricity for the facilities. Huhtamaki is also actively working towards its renewable energy target by investigating Virtual Power Purchase Agreements in North America and Europe.
Taking decisive action to cut global emissions is needed to reduce the rise in temperature to well below the crucial 2°C threshold of combatting climate change. According to the Science Based Targets initiative, Huhtamaki must reduce its carbon emissions by 2.5% annually to reach this threshold. Achieving them will no doubt be challenging but we believe that by innovating and working systematically we will achieve these targets.
Find our approved targets on the Science Based Targets initiative website.