Science-based validation: L’Occitane’s net-zero 2050 policy backed in line with Paris Agreement goals
SBTi (sciencebasedtargets.org) encourages companies to address the climate challenge in ways that scientists believe are necessary to achieve the UN Paris Agreement goals.
More than 4,000 companies are working with the organisation, which says science-based targets provide a clearly-defined pathway for companies to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, helping prevent the worst impacts of climate change and future-proof business growth.
Targets are considered ‘science-based’ if they are in line with what the latest climate science deems necessary to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement – limiting global warming to well-below 2°C above pre-industrial levels and pursuing efforts to limit warming to 1.5°C.
“We are aiming to achieve ambitious targets with this commitment. Although our company has many options for transforming its production units, products and distribution, the creation of this low-carbon world requires us to develop solutions with our consumers and our partners,” said Adrien Geiger, the L’Occitane Group Chief Sustainability Officer.
Since its initial carbon assessment in 2008, the firm has collected data covering all emission sources, both direct and indirect, to draw up a three-pillar roadmap.
- Reducing emissions from energy consumption: The L’Occitane Group aims to halve GHG emissions generated by the energy consumption at its own sites (factories, warehouses and retail outlets) primarily through using renewable energies together with improving energy efficiency. In 2021, 95% of the electricity consumed came from renewable sources.
- Reducing shared-responsibility emissions: These emissions are more complex and relate to the sourcing, transport and use of products. This involves finding solutions with partners, suppliers and customers, as illustrated by product eco-design and sustainable logistics policies. The group also plans to eliminate air freight by 2030 for the transport of its products. Product use represents a large part of its GHG emissions due to users consuming hot water when rinsing products. In order to change and support consumer habits, the company is now a member of the 50L Home coalition, which seeks to encourage responsible water use.
- Conserving and restoring ecosystems to neutralise residual emissions: The firm aims to neutralise its residual emissions by 2030. Since 2020 it has been investing in projects to conserve and restore ecosystems to help with carbon sequestration. €45 million has already been committed via the Livelihoods Carbon Fund (LFC3) and the Climate Fund for Nature.
Data published by SBTi reveals more information on the Geneva-based company’s objectives.
It states that for long-term targets, “L’Occitane commits to reach net-zero GHG emissions across the value chain by FY2050 from a FY2020 base year.”
For near-term targets, it adds: “L’Occitane commits to reduce absolute scope 1 GHG emissions 46% by FY2031 from a FY2020 base year. L’Occitane also commits to increase annual sourcing of renewable electricity from 40% in FY2020 to 100% by FY2026, and to continue annually sourcing 100% renewable electricity through FY2031. L’Occitane further commits to reduce scope 3 GHG emissions 55% per unit of value added by FY2031 from a FY2020 base year.”
L’Occitane will now have to report company-wide emissions and track its progress annually.
