Wed 30 Aug 2023 | by Rob Hutchins

LEGO pledges to achieve SBTi-approved net zero emissions by 2050

The LEGO Group has pledged to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 as part of its continued efforts to reduce its environmental impact. The company has submitted its intention to the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) and will work with the SBTi to develop a target which will cover Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions. The pledge is an extension of its existing near-term climate target to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 37% by 2032 from a 2019 base, which was previously approved by the SBTi. “Our immediate priority is to meet our 2032 carbon reduction targets and we’re making progress across a range of initiatives,” said Niels B Christiansen, ceo of the LEGO Group. “This new long-term goal will ensure the decisions we make today will reduce our carbon footprint over the coming decades. It will also encourage future generations of LEGO employees, partners, and suppliers to continue working with a sense of urgency to reduce the environmental impact of our business.” The LEGO Group will seek to work with the SBTi to develop the net zero target over the next two years, while developing a climate transition plan demonstrating a roadmap to achieving the target. The company plans to triple its investment in environmental sustainability over the next three years, particularly in areas that will help reduce GHG emissions. LEGO plans to spend more than $1.4 billion on sustainability-related activities, including designing building and sites to be carbon neutral run, increasing capacity and production of renewable energy at its sites, taking CO2 emissions into account across all business decisions, and joining forces with its suppliers to collectively reduce environmental impact. Beyond this activity, the business will continue to invest in initiatives to reduce carbon globally that may not count towards achieving the SBTi-approved target at this stage. This will include exploring compensation actions such as supporting carbon capture programmes and scaling up a mass balance approach to reduce reliance on fossil fuels as a raw material. “Our first priority is to measurably reduce our carbon emissions, but the challenge is vast, and we are taking steps across all areas of our business to reduce our environmental impact,” said Niels. “We know children are looking to us to do what’s right. Caring for the environment is one of their top concerns and we receive hundreds of letters a year with great ideas from kids on how we can make a difference. “They are holding us to account and we must set ambitious goals and take meaningful and lasting actions to protect their futures.”