Tetra Pak, the maker of milk and juice carton used by billions around the world, is the first company in the food packaging industry to have their climate reduction targets approved by the Science Based Target (SBT) initiative. This initiative helps companies determine how much they must cut emissions to prevent the worst impacts of climate change.
Tetra Pak has announced their goal to cut emissions by 2030 to 40% below 2015 levels and 58% by 2040 compared to one year ago and additionally has also committed to reduce emissions by 16% per unit of revenue by 2020 compared to 2010. What makes this commitment special is that they have signed up to a Science Based Target
The definition of a Science Based Target from the organisation’s website is:
‘Targets adopted by companies to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are considered “science-based” if they are in line with the level of decarbonisation required to keep global temperature increase below 2 degrees Celsius compared to pre- industrial temperatures, as described in the Fifth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC AR5).’
To achieve their targets Tetra Pak will aim to:
- Driving energy efficiency, aiming to reduce energy use by a further 12%;
- Purchasing electricity from renewable sources, investing in renewable energy projects and renewable electricity certificate schemes;
- Installing onsite renewable energy systems such as solar panels.
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.”
Tetra Pak have launched several sustainability initiatives over the last few years and have a track record of continuous improvement across all area of their business from FSC labelled packaging to facilitating post-consumer recycling of their products. What is most encouraging and impressive about Tetra Pak’s commitment to reducing their emissions and embracing renewable energy is that they are the first in their industry to receive SBT approval and thereby demonstrate the efficacy of their targets. This sets a global standard and leadership model for other companies to do the same.
Positive Action
- Almost 90% of Australians live in a council area that collects milk and juice cartons for recycling. Find out if you live in one of those councils.
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