Our journey towards net zero

We use science-based emission reduction targets to track and cut our emissions. We strive to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from our own operations by 75% (Scope 1 and 2) and 20% from our supply chain (Scope 3) by 2027, compared to 2019.

We are proud to say that we have reached Scope 1 and 2 emission reduction targets ahead of time. But we did not stop there: in April 2023, we were the first in our industry to receive verified approval of our net zero targets from the Science Based Targets initiative. 

Net zero means cutting greenhouse gas emissions to as close to zero as possible across value chains (Scope 1, 2, and 3) with the remaining emissions removed from the atmosphere. 

With our actions and commitments, we not only want to set the ambition level high, but also to encourage others to act. 

As the world’s energy choices evolve, Uponor seeks to be a model for the industry by embracing renewable energy sources across our global operations to reduce greenhouse gases. Currently, 98% of the electricity we use originates from renewable sources. Besides clean energy sources and lowering energy usage, we operate a network of solar panels to generate electricity for our Nastola, Finland, manufacturing facilities.

Targets by 2027:

• We use only certified green electricity
• We decrease energy intensity by 15%, compared to 2019

The waste from our manufacturing facilities mainly consists of plastic and metal, both of which we are able to recycle to a high degree.

As a major step towards a circular value chain, we have established a closed loop for hard-to-recycle waste plastic. A chemical recycling process for PEX enables us to recycle waste back to new PEX products. Currently, we sustainably recycle 83% of our total waste as energy or raw material.


Target by 2027:

• Sustainably recycle 100% of all waste

Plastic, our major raw material, is emission-intensive and it must be handled accordingly. We acknowledge our responsibility and diligently measure our operations to lower our impact on the environment. We are actively promoting the transition to renewable raw materials and moving towards a more circular approach in manufacturing products and their packaging.
We continue innovating products based on recycled and renewable raw materials, and influencing decision-makers to best support sustainable choices.

Commitments:

• Increase the use of recycled or renewable plastic in our production
• Continue pioneering to research alternatives for fossil-fuel-based products

Our goal is to safeguard water resources at every step, from creating a water-resilient value chain to improving our customers’ water management. Our high-efficiency factories are all equipped with closed-loop cooling systems that enable low water usage. In some manufacturing locations, we use secondary water resources for things like irrigation and flushing toilets.

Target by 2027:

• Decrease water intensity by 10% compared to 2019

Greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide, methane, and ozone, are typically categorized into three groups, or “scopes”.
 

• Scope 1 covers a company’s direct emissions from owned or controlled sources (e.g.emissions from energy used in operational facilities)
• Scope 2 includes indirect emissions from the generation of purchased electricity, steam, and consumed heating and cooling
• Scope 3 covers all other indirect emissions that occur along a company’s value chain, like purchased goods and services, transportation and distribution, waste generated in operations, employee commuting, fuel, and energy-related activities, or business travel