2030 goal: Measure all direct and indirect emissions generated as a result of our economic activity across the three emission scopes in a proven, methodical manner.
We are a “measure to improve” focussed company with strong emphasis on real impact. When setting targets for 2030, it has been important for us to assure that we understand the realities in own operations and in our value chain so that we can focus on the right areas. Considerable time has been spent to define the best possible tool to monitor the development in the years to come.
Scope 1 – Direct Emissions , including fuel combustion on site such as gas boilers, fleet vehicles.
Scope 2 – Indirect Emissions from electricity purchased and used by the organization.
Scope 3 – All Other Indirect Emissions from activities in the value-chain of the organization: including emissions associated with business travel, procurement, waste and water.
Since 2010, we have been reporting on our Scope 1 and 2 emissions plus our Scope 3 emissions related to logistics and travel (see box). Our reporting has been based on a simplified version of the principles outlined in the Greenhouse Gas Protocol www.ghgprotocol.org. In 2019, we initiated a project together with external consultants, Klimakost/Asplan Viak and Material Economics, to assess emissions in reporting on scope 1, 2 and 3. https://laerdal.com/globalassets/images--blocks/themed-images--blocks/sustainability/klimakost-report-on-laerdal-june-2020.pdf
Evaluating all three scopes gives the total CO2 equivalent (CO2e) emissions relevant for the company’s accountabilities. This represents a major shift and stems from a growing realization that a large portion of our CO2e emissions originates in our value chain but is nevertheless impacted by our decisions. If we want to change those decisions, we need to know their impact.
We have in our screening process learned about alternative reporting methodologies that will enable us to estimate our total CO2e emissions. By combining two these, we can see the full picture of the emissions from operations, a quantification of CO2e emissions from materials, and the impact of different decarboni-zation initiatives. Moving forward, we will use 2019 as our base-line being the first year we implemented the new methodology.
Input-output analysis is a method to study the inter-relations between sectors in the economy. This method has been extended with environmen-tal information to estimate the direct and indirect emissions from economic activity. By calculating and tracing the interconnected demand between sectors in the economy it is possible to estimate the emis-sions from the spend in any sector.
For our analysis, financial data were processed through the multiregional input-output (MRIO) model EXIOBASE 3 https://www.exiobase.eu/index.php/about-exiobase to estimate the total emissions for the company.
Advantages
Disadvantages
The assessment of embedded CO2ev is a top-down assessment of the materials in finished products based on sales volumes and estimation of the composition of each product.
The analysis is based on the estimated materials composition for 70% of our sales volumes (by weight) and includes the four main material types (plastics, electronics, steel, and paper/cardboard). The emis-sion factors consider the embedded emissions from selected materials, i.e. the emissions from extraction and production of the raw materials. Emission factors are based on average European values, e.g. for plastics overall.
Advantages
Disadvantages
We believe there is an advantage by combining the two methods and then cross checking the results with our external partners.
For many emission categories the solutions to reduce emissions are often relatively straightforward - e.g. shifting to renewable electricity in production sites. In this regard, an estimation of the total CO2e footprint based on the input-output analysis gives enough information to make informed decisions. By using this type of methodology, it is also possible to monitor and compare emissions from year to year.
For emissions from a company’s materials use the assessment is usually much more complex: the CO2e footprint depends on the material composition of the products and the share of recycled vs virgin materials. The opportunity to reduce emissions is usually also larger, ranging from circulating products to a larger extent, recycling materials internally and externally, and shifting to renewable energy in the supply chain.
Helping save lives
We are committed to achieving our goal of helping save one million more lives and doing so in a sustainable manner.
A vision with action
Based on the company mission and vision we have set bold sustainability goals for 2030 with clear actions year by year to assure delivery.
Carbon neutral
Achieve a 70% reduction in carbon emissions by 2030. Across; facilities, transport and travel, and supply chain.
Offset any residual emissions.
Circular solutions
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.
Design sustainability into new products, solutions, and sales models. We aim to use circular materials throughout the value chain.
Social responsibility
Implement UNGP and OECD guidelines throughout our supply chain and cascade to the next level from the largest suppliers.