In our endeavor to contribute to a more sustainable and eco-friendly world, we at KONE Corporation are pleased to share that ourmanufacturing units have achieved carbon neutrality as of June 2023, a significant 18 months ahead of our initial schedule. This development is a humble testament to our ongoing commitment towards our climate pledge and the aspiration to uphold exemplary supply chain operations on a global scale.
Our journey began in earnest in 2020 when we outlined our actionable roadmap to reach carbon neutral operations by 2030. This roadmap was aligned with the Science Based Targets initiative to help mitigate global warming to 1.5°C.
The path to more sustainable factory operations has been a collective endeavor across our global footprint. With ten manufacturing units in seven countries, concerted efforts have been made to reduce scope 1 & 2 emissions by 71% compared to the 2018 baseline.
Our strategy to meet scope 1 emissions targets included consistent investments in energy efficiency and a transition to electric vehicles in all our manufacturing units. Additionally, we embraced robotics, automation, and upgraded heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems to further enhance energy efficiency. In a move towards cleaner operations, 8 out of 10 factories transitioned to electric powered forklifts, with the remaining diesel-powered forklifts now utilizing biofuels.
Solar energy has also become a vital part of our sustainability blueprint. Nine out of ten of our manufacturing units have installed solar panels, and since the beginning of 2023, all units have transitioned to 100% renewable electricity. Two of our units have partnered with green district heating providers, and we have compensated for the remaining carbon emissions through a third-party partner.
Mikko Korte, EVP, KONE Supply Chain, reflects, "This is a significant step in KONE's ambition to have the most resilient, sustainable and competitive supply chain in the industry." He emphasizes that sustainability remains a fundamental principle in all our operations, and adds, “I am very proud of KONE leading the industry in reaching carbon neutrality on that front."
KONE was the first in the elevator and escalator industry to set ambitious climate targets. Back in 2020, we made it our goal to significantly reduce GHG emissions by 2030, in tune with global efforts to limit warming to 1.5°C. These goals included a 50% reduction in emissions from our operations and a 40% reduction in emissions related to our products' materials and lifetime energy consumption (Scope 3) over the same target period. This initiative not only symbolizes our commitment to reducing our carbon footprint but also aids our customers in achieving their sustainability goals, thereby fostering more sustainable supply chains.
In summary, our early achievement of carbon neutrality in manufacturing is a modest yet significant step forward in our ongoing journey toward environmental responsibility and sustainability, and we are grateful for the collective efforts of our teams worldwide in helping us reach this milestone.
For more information, see our press release, or contact:
Hanna Rutanen, SVP, Communications, KONE Corporation, tel. +358 41 507 1361, media@kone.com