Sika supports the Science-Based Target initiative (SBTi) and joined the growing group of leading corporations that are setting emissions reduction targets in line with the objective of the Paris Agreement. By doing so, Sika recognizes the crucial role companies can play in minimizing the risk climate change poses to the future of our planet.
Scope 1 and 2 Goals
Scope 3 Goals
Commitment to Net Zero by 2050 Scope 1 & 2
1.5° aligned
Sika monitors its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions as part of the environmental responsibility the company has for climate. Since 2019, Sika has defined a strategic target for reducing scope 1 & 2 CO2eq emissions per ton sold by 12% until 2023.
Scope 3 well below 2° aligned by 2032 and 1.5° aligned
by 2050
The Sika scope 3 emissions assessment project took place between January 2021 and September 2022.
* Neutralization of residual emissions: GHGs released into the atmosphere when the company has achieved their long-term SBT must be counterbalanced through the permanent removal and storage of carbon from the atmosphere (source: SBTi Corporate Net-Zero Standard, Version 1.0, October 2021).
"Sika aims to be a driver of the transformation of the Construction and Manufacturing industry towards Net Zero. That’s why we support the Science Based Target initiative (SBTi). " Patricia Heidtman, Chief Innovation and Sustainability Officer
Net Zero Campaign
The engagement of Sika’s employees is crucial for the success of the net zero project. In 2022, Sika launched aninnovation campaign called “Scouts”. All employees were invited to submit their individual or group ideas on how to reduce the company’semissions. More than 270 ideas were submitted and commented by Sika employees during the collection phase of the campaign which lasted 1.5 month. The review phase is taking place in 2023, with the best ideas being integrated into Sika’snet zero roadmap.
Sika's Emission Categories 2022
| Categories | 2021 | 2022 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| SCOPE 1 | 156 | 156 | |
| SCOPE 2 | 82 | 76 | |
| SCOPE 3 GHG Emissions (1'000 tons of CO2 eq) | 12,553 | 12,511 | |
| Cat.1 | Purchased goods and services | 6,595 | 7,129 |
| Cat. 12 | End of Life of sold products (EoL) | 4,190 | 3,644 |
| Cat. 4 | Upstream transportation | 1,070 | 971 |
| Cat. 2 | Capital goods | 172 | 189 |
| Cat. 9 | Downstream transportation | 139 | 171 |
| Cat. 11 | Use of sold products | 108 | 138 |
| Cat. 5 | Waste generated in operations | 108 | 80 |
| Cat. 3 | Fuel and energy-related activities | 81 | 77 |
| Cat. 7 | Employee Commuting | 63 | 66 |
| Cat. 8 | Upstream leased assests | 21 | 23 |
| Cat. 6 | Business travels | 6 | 23 |
| TOTAL | 12,553 | 12,511 |
Sika's Way to Net Zero - Key Levers
Sika Decarbonization Levers
Decarbonization Levers - Scope 1 and 2
Decarbonization Levers - Scope 3
2032
- Continuous energy efficiency improvements (e.g. sand drying optimization, more efficient machinery, leakage prevention, etc.)
- Increase boilers use of low-carbon energy (e.g. electricity, biomass)
- Increase vehicle fleet electrification
- Increase the share of renewable electricity
2032
- TRANSPORT: Decrease upstream and downstream transport emissions
- RAW MATERIALS:
Reduce virgin cement and petrochemicals consumption
Increase the share of low-carbon raw materials
Establish a sustainable procurement strategy - END OF LIFE:
Enhance recyclability of Sika’s products through product formulation and packaging material
Promotion of recycling solutions
2050
- 100% of equipment use low-carbon energy
- 100% of electricity is renewable
- Vehicle fleet is decarbonized
2050
- TRANSPORT: Minimize upstream and downstream transport emissions
- RAW MATERIALS:
Significantly reduce virgin cement and petrochemicals consumption
Maximize the share of low-carbon raw materials
Create a strong sustainable procurement ecosystem by actively collaborating with customers and suppliers - END OF LIFE: Become a fully circular company
Partnerships and Collaborations for Net Zero
Achieving net zero requires a combined effort from all stakeholders up and downstream of the company’s value chain. Thus, creating strong partnerships and collaboration is key for the success of this initiative. As of 2022, Sika is involved in the following strategic partnerships and collaborations:
Sika is a TfS member and chairs the TfS workstream 5 (WS5) which aims to develop a global solution for scope 3 GHG emissions in the chemical industry. To ensure TfS member companies meet the Paris Climate Agreement goal, TfS was committed to finding a solution knowing that scope 3 GHG emissions constitute a major share of chemical company’s emissions*.
Monitoring, managing, and reducing these emissions require an industry wide harmonized approach to calculation. Product Carbon Footprint (PCF) calculations provide the best product level emissions transparency for the identification, tracking and reduction of scope 3 GHG emissions. In September 2022, TfS launched the PCF Guideline, the first-of-its-kind guideline to transform the way chemical companies calculate, monitor and reduce upstream supply chain emissions. It will enable suppliers and corporations to produce, compare and later share high-quality carbon footprint data.
To ensure alignment with existing standards, TfS partnered with organizations such as GHG Protocol, WEF, Science-Based Targets initiative and WBCSD. The PCF Guideline is ISO and GHGProtocol accounting standards compliant. Open-source, the guideline will be a vital instrument for working on real and meaningful emission reductions to help decarbonize the entire chemical industry. TfS is also preparing an IT solution, a platform, that will enable corporations and suppliers to share upstream product carbon footprints. This should make it easier for businesses to conduct cross-industry comparisons and compile and manage their emissions across all three scopes. The IT solution will be piloted in the first and launched in the second half of 2023. Beyond the TfS membership, Sika also engages specifically with its suppliers on the climate journey.
* CDP, “Running Hot: Accelerating Europe’s Path to Paris” (page 31).
As a member of the WBCSD, in 2022, Sika was involved in various projects such as SOS 1.5, Built Environment Decarbonization, Circular Built Environment or Chemicals Group. For each project, the company participated in various subworkstreams. Through such initiatives, Sika engages and shares with other companies on how to navigate the global climate challenges and how to make the most of available standards and tools.
Sika has officially supported* the TCFD and its recommendations since 2021. The company believes that the TCFD recommendations provide a useful framework to increase transparency on climate-related risks and opportunities within financial markets.
The GHG emissions topic is continuously evolving, and better knowledge, understanding, and data availability will impact Sika’s accounting methodology in its net zero journey. Therefore, in 2022, Sika contributed to the review of the GHGP Land Sector and Removals Guidance, which will help companies on how to account for and report CO2 removals and storage, and biogenic products within their corporate inventories.
NET ZERO AS A GROWTH OPPORTUNITY
Thanks to its innovation power, Sika can significantly help reduce greenhouse gases. “Replacing Portland cement in our mortar production will enable us to lower CO2 emissions by up to 480 kilotons by 2025,” explains Patricia Heidtman. Sika has already found the substitute materials necessary without compromising product quality. In addition, the company achieved a breakthrough in concrete recycling with reCO2ver®.
Another area where Sika supports the circular economy is with recycled roof membranes. This will prevent up to 49 kilotons of CO2 emissions by 2032.Sika is keen to advance its own net zero targets and also help its customers along the path to net zero.
"Sika has the innovative strength and solutions to transform the construction and transportation industries – and this will be all the more evident if we work together with our customers and suppliers. For this reason, we see net zero not merely as a business challenge, but primarily as a major opportunity to grow." Patricia Heidtman, Chief Innovation and Sustainability Officer