Tom Branna, Editorial Director07.08.21
American Cleaning Institute created a roadmap for action on climate change. The goal is for the industry is to achieve net zero industry carbon emissions.
“ACI and the cleaning product industry has talked about sustainability for a long time and we have showcased industry achievements. But our 1.5° Challenge is representative of bolder, collective action to combat climate challenge,” explained ACI’s Brian Sansoni.
Industry is making a big push to be carbon neutral by 2050. The ACI program was scheduled to launch last year, but the COVID-19 pandemic pushed the agenda into 2021.
“The pandemic impacted company playbooks in crisis management, but sustainability was never off the table during the pandemic,” said Sansoni. “Rest assured, announcements like this and others show the cleaning product industry continues to be a leader when it comes to sustainability.”
In Alignment
According to Emilio Tenuta, Ecolab’s senior vice president and chief sustainability officer, Ecolab is aligned with the ACI’s efforts to bring industry forward on climate actions.
“The science is clear that we must take action and we are doing our part to limit global warming to 1.5°C, compared to pre-industrial levels,” said Tenuta. “It is the right thing to do and is based on the best available technology and science.”
He described groups such as ACI and the American Chemistry Council (ACC) as building blocks in the economy that provide an opportunity to engage with suppliers and network with other stakeholders to develop new ways to deliver real solutions to climate change. Both groups engage and support stakeholders and help set science-based targets.
“The more ACI and ACC are involved the more opportunities for organizations to learn together,” said Tenuta.
He noted that the pandemic served as a wakeup call regarding the role that industry plays in a cleaner environment. When much of the economy shut down last year, air became cleaner, which in turn can have a positive impact on human health.
“We must continue to take the steps to a decarbonized world, which will help improve human health and the environment,” explained Tenuta.
Climate change is the biggest issue facing the world, according to Eric Peeters, global director of sustainability, performance materials & coatings, Dow. His company is committed to doing what needs to be done to decarbonize and help others reduce their footprint.
“Addressing carbon is a team sport. It is a value chain play,” he explained. “When you think about detergents, you think about ingredients, the formulation, the wash water, to name a few. Without collaboration no one gets very far.”
Specifically, ACI’s Roadmap for achieving its net zero ambition includes:
• Reducing absolute greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions within operations and product manufacturing.
• Working with supply chain partners, to reduce upstream GHG emissions and transition to low-carbon transportation.
• Enhancing climate resilience by restoring, conserving or creating natural climate solutions that store carbon and aid in sequestration.
• Through support of policy and collaborations with external stakeholders, minimizing emissions from cleaning product use.
“We are happy to be part of this commitment,” said Marcelo Lu, SVP-care chemicals, North America, BASF. “No company can do it alone. You need partners.”
ACI member company commitments include:
• BASF wants to achieve net zero emissions by 2050. To accomplish that, the company wants to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions worldwide by 25% by 2030.
• Colgate-Palmolive has committed to net zero carbon by 2040 and 100% renewable electricity in its global operations by 2030. Colgate’s climate goals on Scope 1, 2 and 3 were approved in 2020 by the Science-Based Targets initiative, and are aligned with the Business Ambition for 1.5°C.
• Croda has an ambition to not only reduce its GHG emissions, but to become “Climate Positive.” Accelerating the transition to a low-carbon economy, Croda is committed to science-based targets (SBTs) to reduce GHG emissions (Scope 1, 2 and 3) in line with 1.5°C by 2030, and net zero by 2050.
• Dow’s “protect the climate” targets reflect the company’s commitment to reduce its net annual carbon emissions by five million metric tons versus its 2020 baseline and ensure Dow’s ecosystem is carbon neutral by 2050.
• Ecolab has committed to halve its carbon emissions by 2030 and reduce carbon emissions to net zero by 2050, using science-based targets. This includes significant carbon reduction in its supply chain.
• Firmenich has set SBTs aligned with limiting global temperature rise to 1.5°C. Building on its commitment to reducing absolute Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 55% and Scope 3 emissions from raw materials by 20% by 2030 vs 2017, the Group now powers all its operations worldwide with 100% renewable electricity.
• Henkel has committed to being climate positive by 2040. Having already achieved the use of electricity from renewable sources at the US production sites and offices, Henkel will extend this to all regions by 2030. In addition, Henkel strives to help customers, consumers and suppliers reduce CO2 emissions by 100 million tons by 2025.
• IFF has set an SBT to reduce absolute Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions by 30% below 2015 levels by 2025 and aims to engage suppliers representing 70% of its supply chain emissions to set their own SBTs by 2025. In addition, IFF has a goal to procure 75% of its electricity portfolio from renewable sources by 2025.
• MonoSol is determined to achieve net zero GHG emissions by 2050. As part of the journey toward this goal, it is now establishing updated science-based sustainability goals and timelines as part of a comprehensive mid-term plan addressing a wide range of global environmental and social priorities.
• Novozymes is committed to a 50% decrease in absolute CO2 emissions below a 2018 baseline, 100% renewable electricity and a 15% reduction in Scope 3 CO2 emissions from purchased goods and services by 2030.
• Reckitt has the ambition of net zero carbon emissions by 2040. It has committed to reduce carbon emissions from sites by 65% and to power operations with 100% renewable electricity by 2030.
• Sasol is updating its 2030 and beyond targets as a strategic imperative for release this year.
• Seventh Generation is committed to an SBT for Scopes 1, 2 and 3 to limit GHG emissions. In addition, it is transitioning from 100% RSPO GreenPalm PKO to 100% RSPO mass balance PKO to stop deforestation driven by demand for palm oil.
• Shell’s target is to become a net-zero emissions energy business by 2050.
• Twin Rivers Technologies has set a goal of outperforming the Paris Climate Accord and SDG goals for emissions. This includes a target of zero growth in emissions and waste streams over the next 10 years (2017 baseline).
In for the Long Haul
Impressive targets, but the chemical industry still has a lot of heavy lifting to do, according to Chris Sayner, VP-customer alliances, corporate sustainability, Croda.
“Ninety-percent of the chemical industry’s feedstock is based on oil and gas,” said Sayner. “It requires a lot of heat and is energy intense.”
Sayner said most of Croda’s peers are 10% bio-based, compared to 60-70% for his company. Furthermore, when it comes to carbon emissions, Croda has been on a mission for more than a decade. A wind turbine was installed at its Hull,UK facility in 2000. The Atlas Point manufacturing facility powers and heats plants with solar panels and landfill gas conversion.
Peeters noted that for Dow to reach zero carbon emissions by 2050 will take new technology in hydrogen chemistry and renewable energy, and investments. Dow operates wind turbines and solar panels at several manufacturing sites.
According to Lu, BASF is transitioning its portfolio from fossil-based to a biobased which allows for a sign shift in carbon footprints. By the end of 2021, BASF will have carbon footprint data on all of its products.
“Long-term, we are making investment to reduce emissions in production. In Ludwigshafen, we have an agreement with an energy company to supply us with renewable energy,” he explained. “We are looking for these opportunities in North America and Asia.”
The Cost of Carbon
Altruistic? Not necessarily. Carbon comes at a cost. The Biden Administration earlier this year put the cost of carbon emission at $51 a ton. But Sayner warned that the cost of doing nothing will climb much higher. He pointed to Trucost 2018 study that put 30% of profit at risk by 2030 and 60% by 2050.
“There aren’t many companies that can afford that kind of slide,” he noted. “When carbon has a cost, it has more value for companies.”
ACI expects more companies will come on board with the 1.5°C Ambition. In fact, Sansoni said it has been the most significant response it received from members. Still, the Institute has always considered sustainability as a long-term journey.
“This is an opportunity for the cleaning industry to shine a light on what we’ve accomplished and put a stake in the ground on the issue for the cleaning industry,” concluded Sansoni. “We look at sustainability as an evolution not a revolution at ACI.”
Climate change is in vogue in Washington DC again. But industry has been fighting the battle against rising global temperatures regardless of what party is on the Hill or in the White House. As part of the cleaning product industry’s commitment to reducing emissions in accordance with scientific consensus, the “ACI and the cleaning product industry has talked about sustainability for a long time and we have showcased industry achievements. But our 1.5° Challenge is representative of bolder, collective action to combat climate challenge,” explained ACI’s Brian Sansoni.
Industry is making a big push to be carbon neutral by 2050. The ACI program was scheduled to launch last year, but the COVID-19 pandemic pushed the agenda into 2021.
“The pandemic impacted company playbooks in crisis management, but sustainability was never off the table during the pandemic,” said Sansoni. “Rest assured, announcements like this and others show the cleaning product industry continues to be a leader when it comes to sustainability.”
In Alignment
According to Emilio Tenuta, Ecolab’s senior vice president and chief sustainability officer, Ecolab is aligned with the ACI’s efforts to bring industry forward on climate actions.
“The science is clear that we must take action and we are doing our part to limit global warming to 1.5°C, compared to pre-industrial levels,” said Tenuta. “It is the right thing to do and is based on the best available technology and science.”
He described groups such as ACI and the American Chemistry Council (ACC) as building blocks in the economy that provide an opportunity to engage with suppliers and network with other stakeholders to develop new ways to deliver real solutions to climate change. Both groups engage and support stakeholders and help set science-based targets.
“The more ACI and ACC are involved the more opportunities for organizations to learn together,” said Tenuta.
He noted that the pandemic served as a wakeup call regarding the role that industry plays in a cleaner environment. When much of the economy shut down last year, air became cleaner, which in turn can have a positive impact on human health.
“We must continue to take the steps to a decarbonized world, which will help improve human health and the environment,” explained Tenuta.
Climate change is the biggest issue facing the world, according to Eric Peeters, global director of sustainability, performance materials & coatings, Dow. His company is committed to doing what needs to be done to decarbonize and help others reduce their footprint.
“Addressing carbon is a team sport. It is a value chain play,” he explained. “When you think about detergents, you think about ingredients, the formulation, the wash water, to name a few. Without collaboration no one gets very far.”
Specifically, ACI’s Roadmap for achieving its net zero ambition includes:
• Reducing absolute greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions within operations and product manufacturing.
• Working with supply chain partners, to reduce upstream GHG emissions and transition to low-carbon transportation.
• Enhancing climate resilience by restoring, conserving or creating natural climate solutions that store carbon and aid in sequestration.
• Through support of policy and collaborations with external stakeholders, minimizing emissions from cleaning product use.
“We are happy to be part of this commitment,” said Marcelo Lu, SVP-care chemicals, North America, BASF. “No company can do it alone. You need partners.”
ACI member company commitments include:
• BASF wants to achieve net zero emissions by 2050. To accomplish that, the company wants to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions worldwide by 25% by 2030.
• Colgate-Palmolive has committed to net zero carbon by 2040 and 100% renewable electricity in its global operations by 2030. Colgate’s climate goals on Scope 1, 2 and 3 were approved in 2020 by the Science-Based Targets initiative, and are aligned with the Business Ambition for 1.5°C.
• Croda has an ambition to not only reduce its GHG emissions, but to become “Climate Positive.” Accelerating the transition to a low-carbon economy, Croda is committed to science-based targets (SBTs) to reduce GHG emissions (Scope 1, 2 and 3) in line with 1.5°C by 2030, and net zero by 2050.
• Dow’s “protect the climate” targets reflect the company’s commitment to reduce its net annual carbon emissions by five million metric tons versus its 2020 baseline and ensure Dow’s ecosystem is carbon neutral by 2050.
• Ecolab has committed to halve its carbon emissions by 2030 and reduce carbon emissions to net zero by 2050, using science-based targets. This includes significant carbon reduction in its supply chain.
• Firmenich has set SBTs aligned with limiting global temperature rise to 1.5°C. Building on its commitment to reducing absolute Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 55% and Scope 3 emissions from raw materials by 20% by 2030 vs 2017, the Group now powers all its operations worldwide with 100% renewable electricity.
• Henkel has committed to being climate positive by 2040. Having already achieved the use of electricity from renewable sources at the US production sites and offices, Henkel will extend this to all regions by 2030. In addition, Henkel strives to help customers, consumers and suppliers reduce CO2 emissions by 100 million tons by 2025.
• IFF has set an SBT to reduce absolute Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions by 30% below 2015 levels by 2025 and aims to engage suppliers representing 70% of its supply chain emissions to set their own SBTs by 2025. In addition, IFF has a goal to procure 75% of its electricity portfolio from renewable sources by 2025.
• MonoSol is determined to achieve net zero GHG emissions by 2050. As part of the journey toward this goal, it is now establishing updated science-based sustainability goals and timelines as part of a comprehensive mid-term plan addressing a wide range of global environmental and social priorities.
• Novozymes is committed to a 50% decrease in absolute CO2 emissions below a 2018 baseline, 100% renewable electricity and a 15% reduction in Scope 3 CO2 emissions from purchased goods and services by 2030.
• Reckitt has the ambition of net zero carbon emissions by 2040. It has committed to reduce carbon emissions from sites by 65% and to power operations with 100% renewable electricity by 2030.
• Sasol is updating its 2030 and beyond targets as a strategic imperative for release this year.
• Seventh Generation is committed to an SBT for Scopes 1, 2 and 3 to limit GHG emissions. In addition, it is transitioning from 100% RSPO GreenPalm PKO to 100% RSPO mass balance PKO to stop deforestation driven by demand for palm oil.
• Shell’s target is to become a net-zero emissions energy business by 2050.
• Twin Rivers Technologies has set a goal of outperforming the Paris Climate Accord and SDG goals for emissions. This includes a target of zero growth in emissions and waste streams over the next 10 years (2017 baseline).
In for the Long Haul
Impressive targets, but the chemical industry still has a lot of heavy lifting to do, according to Chris Sayner, VP-customer alliances, corporate sustainability, Croda.
“Ninety-percent of the chemical industry’s feedstock is based on oil and gas,” said Sayner. “It requires a lot of heat and is energy intense.”
Sayner said most of Croda’s peers are 10% bio-based, compared to 60-70% for his company. Furthermore, when it comes to carbon emissions, Croda has been on a mission for more than a decade. A wind turbine was installed at its Hull,UK facility in 2000. The Atlas Point manufacturing facility powers and heats plants with solar panels and landfill gas conversion.
Peeters noted that for Dow to reach zero carbon emissions by 2050 will take new technology in hydrogen chemistry and renewable energy, and investments. Dow operates wind turbines and solar panels at several manufacturing sites.
According to Lu, BASF is transitioning its portfolio from fossil-based to a biobased which allows for a sign shift in carbon footprints. By the end of 2021, BASF will have carbon footprint data on all of its products.
“Long-term, we are making investment to reduce emissions in production. In Ludwigshafen, we have an agreement with an energy company to supply us with renewable energy,” he explained. “We are looking for these opportunities in North America and Asia.”
The Cost of Carbon
Altruistic? Not necessarily. Carbon comes at a cost. The Biden Administration earlier this year put the cost of carbon emission at $51 a ton. But Sayner warned that the cost of doing nothing will climb much higher. He pointed to Trucost 2018 study that put 30% of profit at risk by 2030 and 60% by 2050.
“There aren’t many companies that can afford that kind of slide,” he noted. “When carbon has a cost, it has more value for companies.”
ACI expects more companies will come on board with the 1.5°C Ambition. In fact, Sansoni said it has been the most significant response it received from members. Still, the Institute has always considered sustainability as a long-term journey.
“This is an opportunity for the cleaning industry to shine a light on what we’ve accomplished and put a stake in the ground on the issue for the cleaning industry,” concluded Sansoni. “We look at sustainability as an evolution not a revolution at ACI.”