Clays is very pleased to announce its public commitment to set both near and net zero science-based targets under the Science Based Targets initiative. This represents the latest step in Clays’ ambition to do its part in protecting the future of the planet and its people. By nature, Clays has an inherent environmental impact therefore as a responsible business, recognises the obligation to take steps to reduce that impact. We believe this is in everyone’s shared interests as the importance of environmental sustainability raises on the industry-wide agenda.
The Science Based Targets initiative is a partnership between the Carbon Disclosure Project, the United Nations Global Compact, World Resources Institute and the Worldwide Fund for Nature to promote best practice in emissions target setting for businesses. A science-based target is a greenhouse gas emissions reduction target aligned with the level of abatement required to limit global warming to at least 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels to avoid the most dangerous impacts of climate change. Clays has committed to set both a near term target, to be met between 5 to 10 years to recognise the need for immediate action to reduce emissions as much as possible, as well as a net zero target to be achieved no later than 2050. This first involves collating an inventory of our greenhouse gas emissions across the entire business operations, including scope 3 emissions across the supply chain to then develop near and net zero targets in the coming months aligned with our commitment.
This commitment builds on Clays’ existing ISO environmental management system, FSC® Chain of Custody certification and our continuous intention to minimise our environmental impact in all business areas. The vastness of this ambition and the actions required to meet our commitment are substantial, however we are confident that through engaging our supply chain and working with industry groups, we can develop collective strategies to implement change. As Clays moves forward on our sustainability journey, we recognise that this is very much a first step to ensure that this commitment is achievable and as such will seek to share updates on our progress.