Uponor’s industry first for Net Zero target

Uponor, a leading global provider of sustainable water solutions for buildings and infrastructure, announces its new, even more ambitious greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction targets were approved on 20 April 2023 by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi).

The initiative also approved Uponor’s target of reaching Net Zero emissions by 2040. The approval means that SBTi’s independent experts have reviewed and validated the targets to be in line with the Paris agreement and latest climate science.

The reduction targets apply to Uponor’s direct emissions from the company’s own operations (scope 1), indirect emissions from the purchase of energy (scope 2), as well as the emissions from the entire value chain (scope 3). Uponor aims to reduce its scope 1 and 2 emissions by 75% by 2027, with 2019 as the base year. The reduction target for scope 3 emissions is 20% within the same time frame. The Net Zero target refers to an effort to limit GHG emissions to as close to zero as possible, with the remaining emissions removed from the atmosphere.

Uponor reached its earlier emission reduction targets, also set in alignment with the Science Based Targets initiative, ahead of schedule in 2021. It was therefore natural for Uponor to set the bar even higher as the company launched its new sustainability agenda in 2022.

‘On the right track’

Michael Rauterkus , Uponor Corporation’s President and CEO, comments: “Uponor’s commitment to a net-zero agenda, a key pillar in our strategy, demonstrates the essential role that the Group can play in fighting climate change.

“The entire construction industry is actively searching for ways to reduce its climate impacts, with value chain emissions as the main challenge. We can make a difference in our customers’ environmental performance by improving our own. Validation from the Science Based Targets initiative shows that we are on the right track.”

Work towards reaching the targets is ongoing. Uponor aims to source 100% green electricity on a global scale, and plans to electrify selected processes and equipment are in place. The company’s scope 3 emissions are mainly derived from the raw materials it uses, and

therefore the transfer to renewable and recycled raw materials plays an important role. Uponor also works actively with its supply chain to encourage efficiency improvements and emission reductions.

Uponor’s progress on its sustainability work is reported annually in Uponor’s sustainability review available at the company website.

About the Science Based Targets initiative The globally recognized Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) is a collaboration between CDP, the United Nations Global Compact, World Resources Institute (WRI) and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF). The SBTi defines and promotes best practice in science-based target setting and independently assesses companies’ targets.