Sustainability
August 14, 2024
Achieving Carbon neutrality: First Collaborative Decarbonization Summit
SWM International submitted a corporate decarbonization commitment to the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) last February, kicking off our journey to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. This requires close collaboration across the organization and with external partners. The SWM International’s procurement, supply chain and ESG teams have recently been in the front line with the inaugural Decarbonization Supplier Event hold at Quimperlé production site in France. The objective: reducing the carbon emissions generated by the raw material sourcing and more.
This two-days summit brought together 30 participants representing Brazil, Sweden, Finland, France, Luxembourg, Poland, and the USA. A first pool of six suppliers have been invited. They have been selected as they count for a significant portion of SWM International’s Scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions. Their representatives engaged in collaborative discussions with SWM International’s Supply Chain and ESG teams.
Aligning objectives
The event started with Katrin Hanske, Chief Executive officer, emphasizing the power of collective action in achieving ambitious Scope 3 emission reduction targets. Giuliano Scilio, our Chief Information Officer, echoed this sentiment, stressing the importance of agility and shared values in driving progress. Gregory Meziere urged partnerships, knowledge exchange, and transparency to address the reduction of the carbon emissions generated by SWM suppliers’ operations. The day one concluded with each supplier outlining their current decarbonization initiatives and action plans.
Fostering Innovation and Collaboration
Marc Bettoli, our ESG leader, set the stage for day two by presenting SWM International’s 2030 ambitions, highlighting the need for data-driven decision-making through measurement, prioritization, and targeted engagement. A presentation by the startup company Zephyr & Borée showcased innovative solutions in low-carbon maritime transport, inspiring participants to think beyond conventional boundaries. Interactive workshops followed, focusing on four key themes: reducing upstream transport emissions by 2025 and 2035; developing a comprehensive decarbonization roadmap; integrating sustainability into all business relationships by 2030; envisioning a transformed business landscape in 2050. All generated proposals have been collected to ensure a proper follow up.
The Path Forward
The “Decarbonization Supplier Event” marked a significant step in SWM International’s journey towards a more sustainable future. By fostering open dialogue, encouraging innovation, and promoting cross collaboration. This event has laid a foundation for meaningful progress in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and achieving ambitious decarbonization.