Uncompromising commitment to fighting climate change
Lenzing’s vision for 2050: We make a net-zero future come true.
Climate change is the most important issue mankind is facing. With our strategic commitment to be net-zero by 2050, we are taking responsibility for future generations.
In line with the Paris Agreement (1.5°C target) and the UN SDG 13, the Lenzing Group set ambitious science-based targets (SBTs) for reducing absolute GHG emissions in Scope 1 and 2 by 42 percent and in Scope 3 by 25 percent until 2030 (baseline 2021) and aims to achieve net-zero GHG emissions by 2050.
Lenzing was the first cellulosic fiber producer to set concrete science-based target approved by the Science Based Targets initiative aiming for a reduction of GHG emissions. Accordingly, Lenzing conducts its engagements with policy makers in alignment with the goals of Paris agreement.
Lenzing's climate action plan
Lenzing is taking a holistic approach to combating climate change and making progress towards its net-zero 2050 goal. In line with this, we share Lenzing’s climate action plan. This action plan is updated periodically based on the current market situation and emissions reduction opportunities. Let us know your feedback in order to improve further.
Lenzing's greenhouse gas emissions
The GHG Protocol classifies emissions into 3 scopes:
- Scope 1 emissions cover all direct emissions from a company’s activities or activities under their control, including fuel combustion on site.
- Scope 2 emissions cover indirect emissions from electricity and heat purchased and used by the company.
- Scope 3 emissions are defined as all other indirect emissions from the organization’s activities occurring from sources that it does not own or control and covering emissions along the value chain.
Lenzing's contributions to climate protection
The Lenzing Group is committed to reducing emissions all along the value chain. The table below shows in detail how Lenzing is contributing to climate protection along the value chain.
Despite Lenzing’s business model, which is firmly rooted in the use of wood from sustainable forests and plantations that sequester carbon, the company does not assume that this alone is enough, given current climate science. For us, it is not enough to rest on the inherent climate benefit that the business model of wood-based fibers brings.
| Position in the value chain | Topic relevant to climate change | Details | Lenzing Group Contribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sourcing of wood and pulp | CO₂ sequestration in sustainably managed forests and plantations | Sustainably managed semi-natural forests and forest plantations absorb more carbon in trees and harvested wood products, therefore acting as a net sink over the long term. Forest areas and carbon stocks are increasing in Europe. | Wood sourcing from sustainably managed forests, managing own forest plantations, active engagement with pulp suppliers for improvements and other stakeholder activities (e.g. research at WOOD K plus) |
| Adaption of forests to climate change | Share of beech in Europe is increasing, but its uses are limited. Active forest management achieves faster increases in species diversity (and therefore climate resilience) compared to the natural development of forests. | Economic valorization of beech wood for dissolving wood pulp production at Lenzing (higher value added than fuel wood use) thereby providing forest owners with the income they need for climate adaptation actions. | |
| CO₂ emissions from deforestation of forests. | Ensure that no deforestation occurs in the supply chain. | Lenzing’s wood and pulp policy, forest certificates (FSC®, PEFC), transparency through CDP Forests and implementing the Canopy pathway are ranked top with dark green shirt in the CanopyStyle initiative. | |
| Pulp production | Renewable energy use | 100 percent utilization of wood components to produce pulp, coproducts and energy. No wasting of wood | Lenzing pulp mills are self-sufficient and use bioenergy from the biomass (black liquor) remaining after pulp production. Moreover, excess energy is used for fiber production or to feed the national grid. |
| Fiber production | Avoiding fossil fuel use | Energy use and chemicals | High and increasing use of bioenergy and renewable electric power. Energy efficiency improvements , shifting from coal to natural gas. Integrated pulp and fiber production. Actively engagement to acquire “low-impact” caustic soda (by using renewable energy sources). |
| Textile manufacturing | Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in textile manufacturing | Fossil fuel use | Avoiding resource-intensive conventional dyeing process with the use of TENCEL™ Modal with Eco Color technology (a dope-dyed fiber). This reduces energy use and lowers GHG emissions in the value chain. This fiber is a net-benefit product*. |
| Product use | GHG emissions from textile care | Fossil fuel use for power generation | Fast drying products (TENCEL™ Lyocell/PES, TENCEL™Lyocell/wool blends) and products which need less frequent washing help reduce power consumption in the use phase. |
| End of use | Recycling | Avoiding waste and virgin materials | TENCEL™ Lyocell fibers and LENZING™ ECOVERO™ fibers produced with REFIBRA™ technology use cotton textile waste as a raw material, in addition to wood. Thereby avoiding textile waste and virgin resource consumption. |
| Waste incineration with energy use | Biobased CO₂ | Incineration of LENZING™ fibers leads to release of biobased CO₂ emissions which are considered to be CO₂ neutral. | |
| Anaerobic digestion with energy recovery | Biogas production | For example, workwear made from LENZING™ fibers that are digested, producing biogas that can be used for energy purposes. This shows potential of biodegradability and energy recovery. |
* Terinte et al. 2014
Indirect contributions avoiding climate change impacts
| Topic relevant to climate change | Details | Lenzing Group Contribution | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Production of natural fibers | Use of fossil fuels | For production of agrochemicals and fuels for machinery | The climate change impacts of the final products can be reduced by blending with regenerated cellulosic fibers. |
| Agricultural emissions | N₂O from fertilizers, methane from animals | The climate change impacts of the final products can be reduced by blending with regenerated cellulosic fibers. | |
| Production of synthetic fibers | Use of fossil fuels | For energy and as a material basis | The climate change impacts of the final products can be reduced by replacing synthetic fibers with regenerated cellulosic ones. |
| Production of chemicals | Use of fossil fuels | For energy and as a material basis | Biobased biorefinery products from Lenzing pulp mills replace products from fossil sources: LENZING™ Acetic Acid Biobased, furfural, etc. |
| Driving industry through stakeholder initiatives | Lenzing participates and contributes to projects that address climate change: 1. Supporting World Resources Institute (WRI) and Apparel Impact Institute (AII) to develop a high-level roadmap for the apparel and footwear industry. 2. The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) is a broad stakeholder movement with Lenzing as a founding member, aiming to achieve a holisitic commitment to climate action in Fashion. |
