Verallia has announced that the Science Based Target initiative (SBTi) has validated its CO2 reduction targets.

Already positioned as the most ambitious player in its sector in terms of environmental policy, Verallia becomes the first glass packaging producer to commit to the most ambitious target of limiting global warming to +1.5°C compared to pre-industrial temperatures, in line with the recommendations of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and the Paris Climate Agreement.

Michel Giannuzzi, chairman and CEO of Verallia: “I am very proud of SBTi's validation of our CO2 emissions reduction target, which places Verallia at the forefront of its industry. This is excellent news that once again confirms the legitimacy of our sustainability strategy and the continued relevance of our purpose. We must continue our efforts to meet the challenge of the transition to a carbon-neutral society, in which the packaging sector has a leading role to play.”

Verallia made some very ambitious commitments in 2021, including: a 46% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 emissions between 2019 and 2030; keeping Scope 3 emissions below 40% of total emissions by 2030; achieving carbon neutrality in 2050 for Scope 1 and 2 emissions; and implementing a pilot project in France by 2025.

To achieve these goals, Verallia is relying on three levers:

1. Changing the raw material mix: Verallia actively supports the goal set by the FEVE (European Packaging Glass Federation) of 90% cullet collection in Europe so that it can be reused in production. Cullet, which is derived from glass recycling, requires less energy to melt and uses fewer raw materials that emit carbon dioxide during melting. In this respect, the Group has already made significant progress with a cullet rate of 55% in its production in 2021, compared to 51% in 2020, and a target of 59% in 2025.

2. Reducing energy consumption: Verallia has announced ambitious innovation projects for new electric or hybrid furnaces in France and abroad. Alongside these projects, the Group continues to prepare its plants for increased use of hydrogen and renewable energies as an alternative to natural gas.

3. Increasing the use of green energy: in addition to its projects for more environmentally efficient furnaces, Verallia has signed long-term contracts for the supply of low-carbon electricity in most of the countries where the group operates, while continuing to look for sustainable renewable fuel sources to provide long-term alternatives to natural gas.

www.verallia.com

Image: Verallia’s CO2 reduction targets are recognised by SBTi.