Climate & Energy
Climate change is the greatest challenge facing our generation. Kemira supports the ambitions of the UNFCCC Paris Agreement. Our climate action work is based on the best science, and we aim to stay aligned with global ambitions to restrict global warming to 1.5 degrees.
Our long-term ambition is to be carbon neutral by 2045 (Scopes 1 and 2). However, we believe it’s critical to focus on near-term climate action. With that in mind, we are among the chemical industry frontrunners. We have climate targets that are aligned with the Science-Based Targets initiative (STBi) and validated by third parties.
-52% Reduction
Climate change target
-33% reduction by the end of 2033
Scope 3
A major area of focus is reducing our climate impact throughout our value chain. Sourcing clean energy and choosing clean processes will support our ambition to be carbon-neutral by the end of 2045. To that end, we are:
- Powered by emission-free energy
- Reducing transportation and logistics emissions
- Transforming our product portfolio and focusing on low-carbon footprint products
Scope 1 & 2:
We have set a target to reduce combined Scope 1 and Scope 2 Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by -52% across our manufacturing sites by the end of 2030 compared to a 2018 baseline. Our target has been approved by SBTi.
Recognizing that Scope 2 emissions make up 86% of our total Scope 1 and 2 emissions, we are focused on significant investments in renewable energy, energy efficiency, and new technologies to meet our targets. In addition, we have implemented several strategic decarbonization projects.
Scope 3:
In 2024, Kemira committed to reducing absolute Scope 3 GHG emissions by -33% by 2033 using a 2021 baseline. These emissions include GHGs resulting from purchased goods and services, upstream and downstream transportation and distribution, and downstream transportation and distribution. They account for 82% of our total emissions.
Seeing the enormous potential for progress in this area, we are actively engaging our suppliers to develop solutions together and to ensure robust data collection.
Read about working with suppliers to reduce our carbon footprint
Energy
Our business is energy intensive. To mitigate environmental impact, especially impact on the climate, we are improving energy efficiency, reducing energy consumption, and transitioning our production sites to emission-free energy sources.
Programs that reduce emissions
Kemira’s Energy Efficiency Enhancement program, known as E3plus, aims to curb our energy consumption. Through this initiative, we are reducing our overall specific energy consumption, measured as kWh per metric ton of product.
Additionally, in 2023, we launched the ENRE5 program to achieve a 5 percent energy reduction at our coagulant and polymer manufacturing sites within three years. As a result, hundreds of projects have been identified and we expect to exceed our target.
Supporting national and global targets
Being headquartered in Finland, Kemira participates in the voluntary national Energy Efficiency Agreement in Finland (”Energiatehokkuussopimus), part of the country’s response to the Paris Climate Agreement. Since 2017, we have reported total savings of 125 GWh/a, equivalent to approximately 3.8 million EUR/a, to the National Energy Authority in Finland (“Energiavirasto”). (SS p23-24)
