The technology company sets standards for climate change mitigation through ambitious targets, and sends a clear signal for sustainable business practices.
VARTA takes an important step forward in climate change mitigation: The technology company from Ellwangen (Baden-Württemberg) commits to setting and validating a company-wide target in line with the Paris Agreement within the next 24 months. Science-based targets under the Science Base Target initiative (SBTi) provide companies with a clearly defined pathway to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The first step is the submission of a commitment statement for a near-term target to SBTi. VARTA’s target is aligned with the increased level of ambition of 1.5 degrees, which has been defined as the only viable target to mitigate climate change by SBTi since July 2022.
Embedding science-based targets into sustainability management is crucial. VARTA is committed on multi-faceted levels to meet the strict SBTi criteria. The technology company aims to reduce absolute scope 1 & 2 GHG emissions by at least 42 percent by 2030, starting from the base year 2020. VARTA is also committed to increasing the annual procurement of electricity from renewable energy sources to 100 percent, company-wide by 2030. The company is also extending its efforts to the value chain where it aims to contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. Measures taken include sustainable procurement, efficient logistics, material- and energy-efficient production processes and circular economy, as well as incentives for employees to actively shape climate change mitigation.
Chief Technology Officer (CTO) Rainer Hald, who is responsible for sustainability at board level, says: "Insights from climate science are a clear warning that society must curb the temperature rise to 1.5 degrees to avoid the catastrophic effects of climate change. VARTA is determined to play an important role in the industry taking its responsibility in protecting the world for future generations. Therefore, we are reducing our own emission reduction targets in production and value chains, while utilising scientific foundations to ensure we meet the 1.5 degree target."
With the Paris Agreement, governments worldwide have committed to limiting the global temperature increase to well below 2 degrees, above pre-industrial levels, and to continue efforts to limit warming to 1.5 degrees. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) warns that global warming must not exceed 1.5 degrees above pre-industrial temperatures to avoid the catastrophic effects of climate change.
Businesses play a critical role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and building a resilient, zero-emissions economy. As an industry leader, VARTA plays a vital role in paving the way for achieving the Paris Agreement targets and effecting positive change towards sustainability, while ensuring business growth.