Vidrala’s Science-Based Targets validated as it strives to create a better future for people and the planet

Leading European glass container manufacturer, Vidrala, has announced it has received its Net Zero target validation from the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), positioning it as one of the first glass container manufacturers in the world to receive this validation.

Vidrala has a target to reach Net Zero across the value chain by 2045. The company already has a SBTi’s Near-Term Target to reduce Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions by 47 per cent and Scope 3 emissions by 28 per cent by 2030 from a 2019 base year.

Vidrala’s new Net Zero target means that they must reduce absolute Scope 1, 2 & 3 GHG emissions by 90 percent by 2045 from the 2019 base year.

Vidrala’s targets were signed off by SBTi in early summer 2023. It is hoped that the following action required to support the realisation of these goals will allow Vidrala to become the most sustainable glass business in the world by 2030.

Vidrala’s journey throughout the next decade will include creating some of the world’s most sustainable glass furnaces, making ground-breaking investments in low-carbon logistics, working with cutting-edge suppliers, and ultimately creating the first zero-emission glass bottle.

Director of Sustainability at Vidrala, Fiacre O’Donnell, commented on the news: “We all realise the urgency of action especially as we get dangerously close to the 1.5℃ limit. We must strive to meet the deep cuts required by 2030 and Net Zero no later than 2050.  We are delighted to be guided by the Science Based Targets initiative, the globally recognised, externally verified gold standard in measuring corporate climate action and we’re delighted that our ambitious goals have now been approved.

“We will continue to look at new and innovative ways to reduce our GHG emissions, to protect our communities and nature, and provide growth and development opportunities for our people, and work to create the most sustainable glass containers in the market.”

Vidrala CEO, Gorka Schmitt, added: “We are delighted to have taken the next step on our Net Zero journey. We firmly believe that glass is the best packaging material from a health, taste and environmental perspective and look forward to driving change in the glass industry with the support of our employees our customers, suppliers and wider communities”.

Vidrala’s new targets closely follow a range of ground-breaking environmental activity at its plants throughout Europe. These include the 2021 project with Glass Futures which pioneered the development of the world’s most sustainable glass container using biofuel.

Vidrala’s SBTs will pave the way for similar environmental initiatives which will ensure the company has a positive impact on its communities while safeguarding the planet’s future.

To find out more about Vidrala, visit www.vidrala.com. To find out more about Vidrala’s sustainability strategy, Glass Made Good, visit www.vidrala.com/4ps.