Takeaways

• Henkel targets a 30% cut in Scope 3 emissions by 2030 and net-zero by 2045.
• The company has already reduced emissions by 29% since 2021 and increased renewable electricity use to 97%.
• Strong focus on supply chain sustainability, recycled packaging, and social goals like gender balance.

German consumer goods and chemicals giant Henkel has unveiled a new set of climate goals, including a plan to reduce its Scope 3 emissions by 30% by 2030, as part of a broader push to strengthen its sustainability strategy.

The Düsseldorf-based company is also aiming to cut Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions by 42% within the same timeframe, using 2021 as its baseline year. Alongside these interim targets, Henkel has set a longer-term ambition to achieve net-zero emissions by 2045, aligning with global climate goals.

Progress So Far

Henkel reports that it has already made notable progress. By 2025, the company had achieved a 29% reduction in total emissions across all scopes compared to 2021 levels. It has also transitioned significantly toward clean energy, with 97% of its global electricity consumption now sourced from renewables.

In addition, 37 production sites are operating as carbon-neutral, reflecting ongoing investments in energy efficiency and low-carbon technologies.

CEO Carsten Knobel highlighted the company’s long-standing commitment to responsible business practices, stating that sustainability remains central to its growth strategy. He emphasized that the new targets are both ambitious and practical, especially in a rapidly changing global environment.

Read More: Top 8 Carbon and Climate Solutions Leading Climate Action

Focus on Scope 3 and Supply Chain

A key part of Henkel’s climate plan is tackling Scope 3 emissions, which typically account for the largest share of a company’s carbon footprint. These emissions arise from activities across the value chain, including raw material sourcing, transportation, and product use.

To address this, Henkel is working closely with its suppliers to improve supply chain sustainability. The company aims for 85% of its suppliers to meet defined environmental and social standards by 2030, covering areas such as environmental protection, safety, and ethical practices.

Packaging and Innovation

Henkel is also stepping up efforts in sustainable packaging. It plans to increase the share of recycled plastic in consumer packaging to 35% by 2030, up from the current 28%. At the same time, it aims to ensure that all packaging is designed for recycling, improving on its current level of 88%.

Innovation will play a key role in achieving these goals. The company’s Adhesive Technologies unit is developing specialized solutions to support circular economy practices, with testing underway at customer centres in Düsseldorf and Shanghai.

Social Sustainability Goals

Beyond environmental targets, Henkel is advancing its ESG goals in the social domain. The company aims to achieve global gender balance in management roles by 2030, ensuring that both men and women represent more than 45% at all levels.

As of 2025, women accounted for over 43% of its workforce. Henkel is also working toward global pay equity, reinforcing its commitment to fairness and inclusion.

Also Read: AI Study: Old Scope 3 Methods Overestimate Emissions by 2,480%

External Recognition

Henkel’s sustainability progress has been recognized externally. In 2025, it received an ‘A’ rating in the climate category from CDP and was awarded Gold status by EcoVadis.

The company noted that its achievements so far indicate it is on the right track, but acknowledged that further action, especially on Scope 3 emissions, will be critical in the years ahead.

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Source: SustainabilityOnline