Südzucker Group's emission reduction targets have been validated by the Science Based Targets initiative

Südzucker Group is the first European sugar producer with validated emission reduction targets (Scope 1 and 2) in line with the 1.5 degree target 

In February 2022, Südzucker Group joined the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) and thus made a demonstrable commitment to reduce its own greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in line with the latest climate science findings. Only one year after joining, Südzucker Group has reached another milestone of its sustainability strategy "Growing in Balance": the SBTi has confirmed the Group's short-term GHG emission reduction targets for 2030 as being science-based and in line with the Paris Agreement of the United Nations. Südzucker Group is thus the first European sugar producer with validated emission reduction targets (Scope 1 and 2) in line with the 1.5 degree target. As a leading company for plant-based solutions, the Group is sending a clear signal that it intends to further reduce GHG emissions along the value chain and thus contribute to emission reductions of its customers at the same time. 

"We are proud of the independent validation of our ambitious emission reduction targets for 2030 by the Science Based Targets initiative. This step encourages us even more to continuously develop our groupwide sustainability strategy ‘Growing in Balance’ as one of the strategic fields of action and thus to contribute to a future worth living in," says Hans-Peter Gai, Chief Operating Officer (COO) and responsible for sustainability in the executive board. "The validation by SBTi is another proof to show our stakeholders that we are serious about our commit-ment to sustainability," he adds. 

Südzucker Group has committed to reducing absolute GHG emissions from its own business operations (Scope 1) and absolute GHG emissions from the purchase of energy (Scope 2), by 50.4 percent by 2030 compared to the 2018 base year. By halving these emissions within just 12 years, Südzucker Group is making a contribution to limiting global warming to 1.5 degree. Südzucker Group has also committed to reducing absolute GHG emissions from purchased goods and services, fuel and energy related activities, and upstream transportation and distribution (Scope 3) by 30 percent by 2030 compared to the 2018 base year. Overall, Südzucker Group has committed to climate neutrality by 2050. 

"The validation of our emission reduction targets is a great success for us, which we were only able to achieve thanks to the great commitment and close cooperation of many colleagues from different divisions and areas of our diversified group of companies," says Dr. Justyna Jaroszewska, Director Corporate Sustainability of Südzucker Group. "Also our overarching goal of climate neutrality by 2050 is a challenge that we can only master together with employees from all divisions and external partners. To realize our Scope 3 emission reduction target, for example, we are working hand in hand with our farmers." 

Südzucker Group's climate targets are underpinned by a clear and target-oriented action plan. In addition to the climate-neutral production, the path to climate neutrality also includes minimizing the GHG emissions of the supply chains and providing climate-friendly, biomass-based products for the non-food sector. In the area of Scope 1 and 2 emissions, in addition to ongoing efficiency measures, the focus is particularly on phasing out coal and thereby switching to lower-emission energy sources. To achieve Scope 3 reduction targets, the carbon farming project for example is investigating the suitability of various agricultural practices for reducing GHG emissions or sequestering carbon when growing sugar beet and chicory.