- Validation at overall Salzgitter AG Group level
- Net zero by 2050 at the latest
- Ambitious plan with decarbonization measures adopted
Binding targets for and holistic commitment to climate protection: together with Group parent Salzgitter AG the KHS Group pledges to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions. The results of the now completed validation by the Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi) confirm that the Dortmund systems supplier is on the right course.
The independent climate protection organization SBTi develops standards, tools and guidelines which enable companies to set concrete greenhouse gas emission reduction targets. These are transparently validated in a recognized audit procedure. At the end of last year, together with all other Salzgitter AG companies and through the overall Group KHS submitted binding short-term and long-term targets for science-based CO2 reduction. The results that are also based on the Paris Climate Agreement and are in accordance with the 1.5 °C target have now been validated by the SBTi. Compared to base year 2021, in the short term the KHS Group will cut its greenhouse gas emissions generated directly by combustion (scope 1) and indirectly by the use of purchased electricity (scope 2) by around 36 % at all of its sites by 2028. Furthermore, in the same period the greenhouse gas emissions from the company’s upstream and downstream value chain (scope 3) will be lowered by 20 %. “Alongside the long-term and science-based Group target of net zero by 2050 at the latest, our short-term goals for 2028, approved by the SBTi, are just as ambitious, as important measures such as the switch to green electricity at our German plants were already fully implemented before base year 2021. We’re now concentrating on further energy efficiency measures and our international facilities. These act within very different energy markets,” explains Kai Acker, CEO of KHS GmbH.
KHS adopts ambitious plan
“We only have a few years in which to achieve our intermediate goal,” Acker continues. “We thus put the time up until validation to good use and have adopted a number of specific decarbonization measures. The first steps will now be initiated in the near future. Our ambitious plan is both an incentive and an obligation. We’re also showing our customers that we act responsibly and with transparency when it comes to protecting our climate,”Acker concludes.
Commitment to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050
SIG received approval for its group-wide Net-Zero science-based target from the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). The company has committed to reach net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions across its value chain by 2050 – the most ambitious commitment available through the SBTi process. Of the 2,000+ companies globally with a public net-zero pledge, SIG is among the first 325 companies to have its target validated by the SBTi.
SIG has set a new series of near and long-term science-based emissions reduction targets with the SBTi, committing to reach net-zero – the point at which a balance is achieved between emissions produced and emissions taken from the atmosphere – by 2050. These targets are significantly more ambitious than the company’s previous GHG reduction targets, approved by the SBTi in 2018 and 2020. The move sees SIG look beyond its own operations and commit to the decarbonization of its full value chain in line with climate science.
SIG’s new near-term 2030 commitments (using 2020 as the baseline year) include:
- 42 % absolute reduction of scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions
- 100 % renewable electricity through 2030
- 51.6 % reduction of scope 3 GHG emissions per liter packed
SIG’s new long-term 2050 targets include:
- 90 % absolute reduction of scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions
- 97 % reduction of scope 3 GHG emissions per liter packed
Samuel Sigrist, CEO at SIG: “The approval of our Net-Zero pathway by the SBTi is a milestone achievement that showcases our dedication to decarbonizing our operations and value chain. Our new targets are considerably bolder than our previous GHG reduction targets and have been well received by our stakeholders. Decarbonizing our business will not be an easy task, but we’re excited to speed up our journey to net-zero as one of the first 325 companies that have received SBTi approval.”
Meeting the Paris Agreement goals and limiting global warming to 1.5 °C requires net-zero carbon emissions globally by 2050. The SBTi’s rigid approval process helps ensure that SIG is using a robust, clear, and scientific framework to contribute to global efforts to mitigate climate change impacts.
The main ways SIG is reducing its operational emissions (scope 1 and 2) are its 100 % renewable electricity commitment and outstanding on-site solar installation program, as well as exploring low carbon energy sources to lower direct emissions.
SIG’s products play a major role in reducing emissions across the value chain (scope 3), due to the amount and types of raw materials used. Going forward, the company’s priorities are to use less aluminum foil in its aseptic carton packs, work with suppliers to reduce emissions across the supply chain, further improve energy efficiency with new filling lines, and increase collection and recycling of used packaging.
