Graham Packaging receives SBTi approval for 2030 emissions reduction targets

Lancaster, Pennsylvania-based Graham Packaging has announced the Science-Based Targets Initiative (SBTi), a London-based global body made up of leading climate organizations, has approved its 2030 absolute emissions reduction targets. The company says this validation reaffirms its target to reduce its 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 degrees Celsius while pursuing efforts to limit the increase even further to 1.5 degrees Celsius.

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With approval from SBTi, Graham says it is committing to reducing its absolute Scope 1, 2 and 3 GHG emissions 30 percent by the end of 2030 from a 2020 base year.

“We are pleased to have our GHG emissions reduction target approved by SBTi,” Graham Packaging President and CEO Bob Pyle says. “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 says it has also created a strategy to enable target achievement. That plan includes Graham’s work in reducing emissions through lightweighting technologies, increased postconsumer resin (PCR) incorporation and improved energy efficiency—including the use of renewable energy.

Graham says it also encourages its suppliers to reduce their GHG emissions, creating a positive impact across its value chain. The company cites these efforts as a key factor in its 6 percent reduction in GHG emissions from baseline in 2022.

“Our goal of reducing our absolute GHG emissions by 30 percent by the end of 2030 is an important step towards achieving our ‘Strategy for a Better Tomorrow,'” Graham Chief Strategy and Sustainability Officer Tracee Auld says. “We are proud to be a leader in our industry and look forward to continuing to drive meaningful progress towards a more sustainable world.”