Our science-based targets are validated – But why does it matter?
More and more companies are committing publicly to sustainability, with a strong focus on resource efficiency and reducing carbon emissions. These commitments are driven by several factors. For some, it's about enhancing reputation and brand value, attracting sustainability-conscious customers, consumers, and investors. Others see sustainability as a way to meet regulatory requirements and mitigate environmental risks. Additionally, it often leads to cost savings, especially through energy efficiency, waste reduction, and resource optimization. Beyond immediate savings, sustainability fosters innovation, driving the creation of new technologies, products, and business models that are both environmentally sound and economically viable. Something that is core to our business at Ahlstrom.
A growing number of companies are making climate-related commitments and disclosures, and Ahlstrom is proud to be part of this movement. One of the most recognized frameworks for climate action is the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), a global program that helps companies set ambitious, science-backed goals aligned with the latest climate research. These targets aim to limit global warming to well below 2°C and ideally to 1.5°C as outlined in the Paris Agreement.
While committing to the SBTi is a crucial step forward, many companies struggle to effectively communicate why these commitments are meaningful to their key stakeholders, especially customers. The question remains: Why should customers care?
The answer lies in collaboration and shared values
Achieving meaningful and lasting decarbonization requires a collective effort across the value chain. When businesses work with suppliers and customers who share the same climate ambitions and targets, it enhances everyone’s ability to meet their goals. Reducing emissions, whether in Scope 1, 2, or 3, lowers the carbon footprint of products, resonating with growing number of consumers who prioritize sustainability.
Perhaps most importantly, partnering with companies that have solid, credible emission reduction targets and trajectories, such as those validated by the SBTi, allows the risks, benefits, and costs of decarbonization to be more evenly distributed across the value chain. This collaboration ultimately improves the cost-efficiency of decarbonization, driving down the price of low-carbon solutions.
Research consistently shows that consumers are willing to pay more for sustainable products, though not at the inflated prices some companies currently charge.* By working together to share the effort of decarbonization, companies can make sustainable products more affordable a profitable benefiting both the planet and the bottom line.
*E.g. Selling sustainability: what consumers really want - FT Channels
This is a blog post from Johan Lunabba, VP, Sustainability & Public Affairs at Ahlstrom.
If you want to discuss in more detail how SBTi targets impact our industry or, more specifically, Ahlstrom, please reach out: johan.lunabba@ahlstrom.com, www.linkedin.com/in/johanlunabba/