Henkel joins Schneider Electric at COP28 and shares perspective and progress on supply chain decarbonization

As part of the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28), Henkel was invited by long-time partner Schneider Electric to participate in a panel discussion hosted by the UN Global Compact French Network. The session, which took place on December 5th in the French Pavilion’s Blue Zone, was entitled “Beyond Carbon – Decarbonizing the Supply Chain for a Greener Tomorrow”.  Henkel Adhesive Technologies’ Vice President Dr. Philipp Loosen, Head of Industrials for EIMEA, shared the company’s perspective on enabling the transition to net zero, including Henkel’s contributions to Schneider Electric’s Zero Carbon Project.

“Substantive climate change progress and achievement of the Paris Climate Agreement commitments require bold action and engagement within the private sector and across the supply chain,” Loosen explained. “By setting ambitious – but achievable – goals based on a well-defined roadmap, implementing procedures for data tracking, and partnering with suppliers and customers, Henkel is tackling the climate crisis with intentionality.”

In Henkel’s analysis of its operations, the company has determined that 2% of total emissions come from production, while the majority of Henkel Adhesive Technologies’ carbon footprint is coming from raw materials. Alongside reducing its own operational emissions, Henkel strongly focuses on its supply chain and supports suppliers in their transition to renewable energy and alternative feedstocks.

Since 2010, Henkel has reduced CO₂ emissions per ton of product by over 50% and is aiming for Scope 1 and 2 climate positivity by 2030. For Scope 3, the company has targeted a 30% emissions reduction per ton of product by 2030 (with a 2017 baseline) and is aligning on a net zero pathway. Importantly, as an adhesives, equipment, and thermal materials supplier to Schneider Electric, Henkel’s CO₂ footprint reductions contribute to lower Scope 3 emissions, supporting Schneider Electric’s Zero Carbon Project and its decarbonization initiatives. The companies are also collaborating on several other climate impact projects, including renewable electricity purchasing programs and a Scope 3 emissions data exchange methodology as part of the Pathfinder pilot through the World Business Council for Sustainable Development.  

Reflecting on the discussion, Loosen is confident he and fellow panelists agree that more than simply supplier and customer relationships will drive the change.

“A whole-of-industry collaboration to promote data exchange and set standards is necessary,” said Loosen. “Transparency is critical to shaping the guidelines to enable greater speed in tackling the challenges ahead. This includes sitting at the same table with competitors, as there is no time for individual solutions; climate action is urgent. Henkel thanks Schneider Electric for inviting us to participate in this discussion and being a role model for connecting key actors in purposeful partnerships. With every ecosystem participant positively contributing to CO₂ emission reduction levers, there is no doubt we will reach our objectives.”

To learn more about how Henkel and Schneider Electric cooperate on decarbonization initiatives, read this article.