SWEDEN – Packaging leaders Tetra Pak has announced plans to decrease greenhouse gas emissions from its operations by 40% by the year 2030, from the 2015 levels.

The move will enable the food packaging firm to become the first to receive approval from the Science Based Targets (SBT) initiative, which helps companies set emission reduction targets based on climate science principles.

Working with the Science Based Targets initiative, the company also has further set a goal that by 2040, emissions will be down 58% compared with a year ago.

To fulfil these ambitious goals, Tetra Pak will improve energy efficiency at its facilities, reducing energy use by 12%.

It will also purchase electricity from renewable energy sources, and invest in green energy products, as well as renewable electricity certificate programmes.

Finally, it will install renewable energy enhancements onsite, such as solar panels.

In addition, the company commits to reduce GHG emissions across the value chain by 16% per unit of revenue by 2020 from a 2010 base-year.

Mario Abreu, Vice President Environment at Tetra Pak, said: “The collaboration with the SBT initiative has helped us accurately define our greenhouse gas emission targets and set a direction for the company in a scientific way.

The new targets ensure we are able to openly and accurately demonstrate the contribution we are making to a low carbon economy among customers and other stakeholders.”

“The SBT initiative provides a science-based methodology for companies who are serious about incorporating sustainability into their business practice and want to do their part in avoiding the worst impacts from climate change,” siad Cynthia Cummis at the World Resources Institute (WRI).

“Tetra Pak is the first packaging company to complete our target review process and we are very pleased to see them join a growing number of companies that understand the benefits of transitioning towards a low-carbon economy.”

SBT forms a partnership between CDP, WRI, WWF and UN Global Compact that mobilizes companies to set emissions reduction target in-line with climate science.

Since its launch, 208 companies have committed to set science-based targets and 33 companies across different industries have had their targets approved by the initiative.

February 2, 2017;