Berry, Thor Detail Emission Reduction Plans
Berry Global Group is a Fortune 500 company based in Evansville. (photo provided)
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowTwo Hoosier companies are detailing plans to reduce direct and indirect carbon emissions. Evansville-based Berry Global Group Inc. (NYSE: BERY) and Thor Industries Inc. (NYSE: THO) in Elkhart both say they are looking to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.
Berry says it has committed to reducing absolute operational emissions, or Scope 1 and 2 emissions, by 25%, as well as supply chain emissions, or Scope 3 emissions, by 8% by 2025. The company says the move is part of its effort to minimize the environmental impact of its operations and limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius, which aligns with the Paris Agreement.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Scope 1 emissions include direct greenhouse emissions “that occur from sources that are controlled or owned by an organization.” Scope 2 emissions are indirect greenhouse emissions associated with the purchase of electricity, steam, heating or cooling.
Scope 3 emissions, the EPA says, are “the result of activities from assets not owned or controlled by the reporting organization, but that the organization indirectly impacts in its value chain.”
“Advancing the global vision of a net-zero economy means we have to manage our own operations effectively while simultaneously bringing innovative solutions to the market,” said Tom Salmon, chief executive officer of Berry Global. “Beyond addressing emissions in our operations and our supply chain, we remain focused on helping our customers meet their sustainability goals through plastic products that have a lower carbon footprint than alternative substrates.”
Meanwhile, Thor Industries has released its Carbon and Climate Report, which details plans for mitigating Scope 1 and 2 emissions. The recreational vehicle manufacturer says it has identified several actions to help reach its carbon net-neutral goal by 2050.
The actions include engaging with electricity partners to understand and drive conversion to renewables, making internal investments in renewable energy self-generation, a reduction of energy use, and an expanded partnership with the National Forest Foundation to plant 500,000 trees by 2025.
The company says it has also begun the process of defining and quantifying its Scope 3 emissions, including transportation of finished RV products from Thor factories to dealers and airline and rental car usage from company-sponsored business travel.
“THOR views sustainability as both a business imperative and an opportunity for positive environmental and social change. What is good for the outdoors benefits our owners, industry partners and ultimately, our business,” said Chris Workman, vice president of global supply management and sustainability. “We will continue to make improvements, share progress and challenge ourselves and our family of companies to do more.”
You can view the Carbon and Climate Report by clicking here.