A holistic approach to ESG & sustainability
Kelly Gilroy , VP of sustainable and natural products , and Liam McCarroll , director of global sustainability , describe how Univar Solutions has gone about implementing its sustainability goals
Although some companies try to tackle ESG in an ad hoc or piecemeal fashion , we recognised early on that protecting the planet , respecting and serving people , and cultivating an accountable culture are inextricably intertwined . When Univar Solutions launched its first-generation global sustainability goals in 2017 , we designed them holistically , as specific and measurable targets that address the most material aspects of sustainability to our business and stakeholders .
Today , because we think about these goals as part of a balanced , interconnected ecosystem , we are working more effectively to ensure one type of goal is not achieved at the expense of another . For example ,
Targets are in place to reduce greenhouse gases in stages when our ChemCare services business works to manage waste streams or recycle materials , we not only aim to reduce environmental footprint , but to also lower costs , reduce inefficiencies and minimise impacts .
This approach has helped us reach many sustainability milestones and we have met or exceeded each of the goals through 2021 . We recently raised the bar higher . Our new set of ESG goals to 2025 and beyond is a collection of eight focus areas , underpinned by clear and measurable objectives .
Excel at sustainable innovation
In recent years , sustainability has rocketed to the top of the list of innovation drivers for chemical
and ingredient distributors , and has opened many new avenues for growth in three major areas , in each of which we must excel to remain the industry leader :
• Deployment of environmentally conscious protocols and technologies
• Re-engineering of processes to promote circularity and operational efficiency
• Development of greener products One of our top priorities is implementing the technology , processes and culture to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions by 20 % by 2025 , 40 % by 2030 and to achieve net-zero direct emissions by 2050 . To accomplish this , we have prioritised efficiencies in the areas where we can make the biggest impact .
About 80 % of our Scope 1 and 2 emissions come from diesel used in our transportation fleet , natural gas burned in space heating and electricity
48 SPECIALITY CHEMICALS MAGAZINE ESTABLISHED 1981