We committed to setting science-based climate goals
In its report published in August 2021 and February 2022, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) stated that the likelihood of significant adverse weather events has increased and that preparations for them need to be initiated. Many of the changes affecting the seas and continental glaciers are also already irreversible or slowly reversible. The extent of future changes will depend on the future evolution of greenhouse gas emissions, in particular carbon dioxide.
At Meira, we think that everyone – goverments, businesses and consumers – must take on for protecting our common planet and fighting against climate change. Thus, we at Meira are committed to setting science-based climate goals. This means that our targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions are in line with the Paris Climate Agreement.
In December 2021, we submitted our climate targets to the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi) for evaluation by the independent expert panel. We will receive feedback and validation for our goals and our greenhouse gas inventory during the spring. We already can say that most of our greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions originate from our value chain, so called scope 3. So it is clear to us that, in addition to reducing emissions from our own operations, climate work must be done together with our partners in the value chain. As soon as we receive the validation from SBTi, we will communicate our targets and GHG inventory transparently.
Energy efficiency is an important part of climate work
An important part of climate work is the development of energy efficiency in our own operations. We are committed to the national Energy Efficiency Agreement, which obligates us to develop ways to improve our energy efficiency by 2025 covering 950 MWh. During 2021, we succeeded brilliantly on this path, achieving energy savings of about 560 MWh. We modernized e.g. ventilation in the coffee grinding hall and we automatized the energy management system of our property.
Acting impactfully in slowing down climate change is very complex. Everything affects everything – for example, reducing food waste and the circular economy in general play an important role both in slowing down climate change and in protecting biodiversity. The next concrete steps in our climate work are to increase the amount of renewable energy and further improve energy efficiency in Vallila operations towards our SBT target. But more important- and more effective – work is to commit our major suppliers to setting science-based greenhouse gas reduction targets. These steps will determine our work in the years to come.
Marleena Bask
Director, Strategy & Sustainability
