The Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi), a global body made up of climate organizations, has approved Graham Packaging’s 2030 absolute emissions reduction targets. And the company will need efficient machinery to meet those goals.
This validation reaffirms Graham’s target to reduce its absolute scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions as set out in its environmental, social and governance (ESG) strategy.
SBTi establishes a clearly defined pathway for companies to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to levels necessary to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement—reduce GHG emissions to limit the global temperature increase in this century to 2 °C while pursuing efforts to limit the increase even further to 1.5 °C. With approval by SBTi, Graham is committing to reducing its absolute scope 1, 2 and 3 GHG emissions 30% by the end of 2030 from a 2020 base year.
"We are pleased to have our GHG emissions reduction target approved by SBTi,” said Bob Pyle, president and chief executive officer of Graham Packaging. “This milestone underscores our company's unwavering commitment to sustainability and reducing our impact on the environment. By setting ambitious targets in line with the latest climate science, we are taking decisive action to address the urgent challenge of climate change. By gaining this validation, we hope to continue to support our customers to achieve their own sustainability goals while fostering a more resilient future for all."
Along with target development, Graham has also created a strategy to enable target achievement. That plan continues Graham’s work in reducing emissions through lightweighting technologies, increased post-consumer recycled (PCR) incorporation and improved energy efficiency—including the use of renewable energy. Graham also encourages its suppliers to reduce their GHG emissions, creating a positive impact across its value chain. Thanks to these efforts and more, in 2022 the company saw a 6% reduction in GHG emissions from baseline.
“Our goal of reducing our absolute GHG emissions by 30% by the end of 2030 is an important step toward achieving our Strategy for a Better Tomorrow,” said Tracee Auld, chief strategy and sustainability officer. “We are proud to be a leader in our industry and look forward to continuing to drive meaningful progress toward a more sustainable world."
SBTi is a global body enabling businesses to set ambitious emission-reduction targets in line with the latest climate science. It is focused on accelerating companies across the world to halve emissions before 2030 and achieve net-zero emissions before 2050.
The initiative is a collaboration between CDP, the United Nations Global Compact, World Resources Institute (WRI) and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and one of the We Mean Business Coalition commitments. SBTi defines and promotes best practices in science-based target setting, offers resources and guidance to reduce barriers to adoption and independently assesses and approves companies’ targets.
Founded in 1970, Graham Packaging develops and designs creative, sustainable packaging solutions for a variety of consumer brands. Headquartered in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, with a flagship manufacturing facility in nearby York, Pennsylvania, Graham Packaging produces approximately 16 billion containers annually across nearly 65 plants in North America, Europe and South America.
