Carsten knobel, chief executive of Henkel, said: "Sustainable development is deeply rooted in Henkel's genes and is an indispensable part of our development. As important as innovation and digital strategy, sustainable development is at the core of Henkel's targeted growth strategic agenda. As one of our values, sustainable development is reflected in our corporate goals, that is, leaders at heart for the good of generations. Driven by the grand sustainable development strategy, we will accelerate the transformation , make the company's business portfolio and business processes develop more effectively in a sustainable direction. "
"In the past year, the COVID-19 has continuously tested our resilience as a company, individual and community in fighting the epidemic. This has made Henkel more clear its commitment to solving environmental, social and political challenges. Despite the challenges of the environment, I am proud that Henkel has made tangible progress in its sustainable development in key areas such as climate protection and circular economy in 2021." Sylvie Nicol, a member of the Henkel Management Committee responsible for human resources and sustainable development, added.
Remarkable achievements have been made in a challenging year
In 2021, Henkel will further implement the sustainable development strategy in business development, reduce carbon dioxide emissions in the production process (especially through the conversion of green power), and make further progress in sustainable raw material procurement and sustainable finance.
Henkel plans to reduce its carbon footprint in production by 65% by 2025 (the base year is 2010). By the end of 2021, Henkel has reduced its carbon dioxide footprint in the production process by 50%. In order to achieve this goal, the company focuses on improving energy efficiency and plans to use 100% renewable energy for power supply by 2030. By the end of 2021, Henkel has achieved 100% renewable energy power supply in 21 countries (including Colombia and France). Today, the utilization rate of Henkel renewable energy power has reached 68%.
In addition, Henkel is actively committed to building a real circular economy and working with partners in the value chain to jointly promote international initiatives, such as the global commitment to the new plastic economy issued by plastic bank and Ellen MacArthur Foundation. Henkel's sustainable packaging strategy aims to reduce recycling and the use of packaging materials to prevent them from polluting the environment. One of the outstanding goals is to achieve 100% recyclability or reusability of Henkel's packaging materials by 2025. By the end of 2021, the proportion had reached about 86%. Henkel also strives to increase the proportion of recyclable plastics in global consumer goods packaging to more than 30% by 2025. By the end of 2021, the proportion had risen to about 18%.
Another important milestone was Henkel's announcement of a new sustainable financial framework, which established a direct link between sustainable development strategy and capital strategy. The framework includes two possible forms of financing: issuing bonds related to sustainable development or issuing green bonds. In 2021, Henkel has issued two issues of bonds under the terms of the framework, becoming the first company in the industry to issue Euro bonds with interest rates linked to the achievement of specific sustainable development goals. Henkel has issued more than 700 million euros of bonds in total.
Advancing ambitious goals through the 2030 + sustainable development goals framework
These achievements are in line with the long-term strategic objectives set by Henkel in 2010. Ten years after successfully promoting the process of sustainable development, Henkel reviewed the external development and expectations for the company's strategy and future goals in 2021.
This has resulted in a new 2030 + sustainable development goal framework, including additional newly proposed long-term ambitious goals, so as to help the economy and society achieve sustainable development.
The framework of Henkel 2030 + sustainable development goals includes three aspects:
Renewable Planet: with the support of science and innovation, promote the transformation of business, products and raw materials, and realize circular economy and zero carbon future.
Prosperous community: by giving play to the collective strength of enterprises and brands, we can help people live a better life by promoting equality, education and social welfare.
Trusted partners: promote performance and system change with integrity through corporate culture based on values, deep cultivation of science and enthusiasm for technology.
"As Henkel becomes more involved in environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) topics, we want to ensure that the objectives under the new framework are consistent with the expectations of our stakeholders on these issues." Ulrike sapiro, chief sustainable development officer of Henkel, said, "Henkel focuses on how to make the company go further, act faster and bolder. One of the key conclusions is to advance the target of climate friendliness in the production process from 2040 to 2030."
The main new objectives include:
Achieve climate friendly operations by 2030 and aim to set a zero carbon path for range 3 emissions (from source to shelf), which is consistent with the requirements of the science based targets initiative
By 2030, improve the recycling of water and production waste in the production base to promote resource recycling
By 2025, gender parity will be achieved at all management levels
Expand community education programs and volunteerism
Further develop and expand the "smart office" project launched in 2021 to shape the future work mode for the company and its employees.
Ulrik sapino added: "we understand that the world around us, the expectations of stakeholders and the opportunities to promote sustainable development are constantly changing. That's why we need to regularly review our 2030 + sustainable development goal framework and constantly update the targets in the future development process."
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