Reducing greenhouse gas emissions
Svedbergs Group is working to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from its operations. The work helps achieve UN Sustainable Development Goals 12 – Responsible consumption and production, and 13 – Climate action. The highest emissions in the value chain come from goods purchased, the use of products by customers and from transport.
Sustainability goals
Svedbergs Group will reduce carbon dioxide emissions according to GHG Scopes 1–3 by 50 percent in relation to sales by 2030 compared to 2021.
Mapping greenhouse gas emissions in the value chain
The Group’s direct and indirect impact on greenhouse gas emissions was mapped for the first time in 2022 for 2021 according to the global Greenhouse Gas Protocol (GHG) standard. Further mapping took place in 2023.
The mapping showed that around 98 percent of Svedbergs Group’s climate impact in both 2022 and 2023 came from Scope 3, i.e. the impact that arises in the supply and customer stages of the value chain, outside direct own operations. Goods purchased are the area with by far the greatest impact. The use of products sold and the transport of goods and products also have a significant climate impact.
The results of the mapping are used as a basis for decision-making to prioritise measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. All companies work according to targets and reduction plans.
In the years 2021 to 2023, the total volume of greenhouse gas emissions decreased by 17.2 percent measured in relation to sales. The decrease was mainly in Scope 3, goods purchased and transport.
The Group promotes greater collaboration between subsidiaries on suppliers of products, materials and transport.
Emissions from goods purchased and use of sold products
Principles for reducing greenhouse gas emissions are now being incorporated in the design phase of products. More long-term development is needed to offer circular products that have a longer life and are easier to reuse or recycle, and of which the materials and raw materials are produced in a sustainable manner.
To create clarity about what is required to reduce climate impact, Svedbergs Group has set itself the goal of preparing a number of EPDs (Environmental Product Declarations) for different products and product groups. A number of EPDs were prepared and also published in 2023. More are expected to be published in early 2024 and work continues on EPDs for more products.
Continued measures to have an impact in the shorter term are important, for example to reduce emissions from transport and energy efficiency in production.
Reducing emissions from transport
Svedbergs Group prioritises suppliers with sustainable transport solutions and makes clear requirements for an environmental profile and reporting of outcomes. Other measures to reduce emissions include increased capacity utilisation in transport, reduced packaging and coordinated shipping to the Group’s companies from suppliers. As much as possible is transported by ship because it is currently more environmentally friendly than road transport.
The subsidiary Svedbergs has chosen 100 percent biofuel for its container transport by ship from Asia and Turkey to Sweden. This led to a reduction in emissions of 143 tonnes of CO2 equivalents in 2023.
In the UK, Roper Rhodes and a transport provider have invested in Sustainable Marine Fuel (SMF) for all shipments from Asia. SMF is a sustainable fuel made from residual oils from food waste, waste oils and fertiliser..
Impact of business travel
The Group’s travel policy includes guidelines that must be followed by all employees when travelling on business. Environmentally friendly travel options are prioritised and digital meeting solutions are encouraged. The company car policy makes it more favourable for employees to choose an electric car or a plug-in hybrid, and charging points are available outside the Group’s premises. An increasing share of the vehicle fleet is now electric.