Companies go further than Swedish Government – toward zero net emissions in 2030

Fourteen large companies, which are members of the Haga Initiative, have decided to become fossil free within their own operations by 2030. The new targets imply that the companies in the initiative will reach zero emissions 15 years before the guidelines put forth by the Swedish Governments climate goals. The ambition is to show that Swedish companies can reduce their climate impact while increasing profitability, create new jobs, thus contributing to increased welfare.

Since its start six years ago, the Haga Initiative has been working towards the goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 40 per cent until 2020. At the time, the pledge was ambitious, however the pace of reductions has been much faster than anticipated. More than half of the companies have already achieved the target by a wide margin. In order to act as forerunners, in Sweden and globally, the Haga Initiative now takes the ambition one step further and sets the target at zero net emissions by 2030. In some cases, if a company is unable to achieve zero net emissions within its own organization and instead significantly decreases the emissions e.g. on the consumer side, this is also in line with the Haga Initiatives goals.

- It is a unique decision we have reached and it is with great pride I am able to present our new goals. The companies in the Haga Initiative represent different sectors but they all see the competitive advantages that comes with the transition to a fossil free society. What unites them is that they all have the courage to be on the forefront in one of the most important questions of our time. We have a great challenge ahead of us but I am confident in our ability to succeed, said Nina Ekelund, Program Director of the Haga Initiative.

The Haga Initiatives goal of zero net emissions by 2030 requires heightened ambitions within Swedish climate policy in accordance with the European Union´s climate policy as well as within the carbon credit market (EU-ETS). In order for Sweden to become a leading country in the global transition to a fossil free society the basic industry should remain within the country and therefore measures to decrease emissions within the domestic industry are required.

- Sweden can show the rest of the world that a transition is possible through energy efficiency, conversion to renewable energy sources and green technology development. To succeed we need long term legislation, state funded research and investments that are aligned with the climate goals. Further, cooperation between academia, the state and the business community is imperative. We are humble and realize that we do not have all the answers as of today, but at the same time we are certain that the politicians are ambitious and will set clear targets in order to increase the pace of the climate transition, concluded Nina Ekelund.

Read more about the Haga Initiatives climate targets here.

Press contact: Nina Ekelund, Program Director Haga Initiative
mobile: 0735-022 464
e-mail: nina.ekelund@hagainitiativet.se

Companies in the Haga initiative comment on the new climate targets:

- For us in the insurance industry the climate changes have a direct impact on our business and our clients. It is therefore natural for us to decrease greenhouse gas emissions and push the development toward minimized fossil fuel dependence. We have thus taken the decision to work towards zero net emissions in our operations by 2030, said Jens Henriksson, CEO Folksam.

- We have now reached the point where 8 out of 10 kWh in district heating is renewable or recycled but we will achieve 100 per cent. This will be possible through further cooperation between municipalities and the business community in order to achieve increased recycling of plastics mainly, said Anders Egelrud, CEO Fortum Värme.

- Siemens global target is to be carbon neutral by 2030 with a first milestone of halving our greenhouse gas emissions by 2020. We invest 1 billion SEK in decreased emissions and estimate that we will reach break-even in five years. Our innovative products and solutions are integral in reaching our internal goal and we also see great potential in helping our clients reach bold climate goals, said Ulf Troedsson, CEO Siemens.

- Since 2007 we have reduced our emissions by 75% in Sweden. We have managed to do this by having a clear vision on our climate work combined with good business cases for investing in greener technology, renewable fuels and energy. Further investments and roll out of more efficient coolers, as well as an increased focus on renewable fuels in our transport fleet will be our priorities in the years to come, said Pierre Decroix, CEO Coca-Cola European Partners Sverige.

- To reduce our climate impact and becoming part of the solution to the global climate challenge is a strategically important issue for a project developer of homes and cities such as JM. We therefore have the ambition to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions to close to zero by 2030, in line with the UN sustainable development goals, said Johan Skoglund, CEO JM.

- Climate change issues are central for the transportation sector and Green Cargos transports are already today fossil fuel free up to 95 per cent. However, we will not settle for that but will work towards 100 per cent by 2030 in order to remain as the most sustainable alternative, said Jan Kilström, CEO Green Cargo.

- The climate benefits of recycled materials are enormous. We continue our work to recycle critical processed raw material from residue products through research and technology development. By adding residue products to new products, we contribute to vast amounts of carbon dioxide not being emitted. At the same time, we will streamline and optimize the environmental impact of our logistics and processes in order to maximize the net effect of the environmental benefits we achieve together with our clients, said Kristofer Sundsgård, CEO Stena Recycling.

- Good coffee is not a guarantee when the climate changes. We therefore work actively with climate issues, both in coffee producing countries and in Sweden. Our goal is 100 per cent renewable energy in our own operations by 2020, said Lars Appelqvist, CEO Löfbergs.

- Our goal at Axfood is to become fossil free already by 2020. The greatest challenge will be the supply of biofuels, said Anders Strålman, CEO and Group President Axfood

- As one of the leading Nordic companies within the meat and charcuterie sector HKScan has an impact on the climate. Transportation, meat processing and inventory management are all areas with an impact on environment. On the farms water and land are used and when the livestock ruminate greenhouse gas is released. In other words, our operations require a big environmental responsibility and it is something that we take very seriously. It is important for us to set clear and tough targets and I am confident that we will reach our goal of a 95 per cent reduction by 2030, said Göran Holm, CEO HKScan Skandinavien.

-  For Sveaskog, just as for other large transportation procurers, the focus is on phasing in renewable fuels. The premise for us is that biofuels should not become too expensive in relation to fossil fuels, said PO Wedin, CEO Sveaskog.