CASE story
Collaborating on climate action to drive change
As a climate leader in the appliance industry, Electrolux has a crucial role in driving climate action together with like-minded organizations.
"As a company present in millions of homes across the world, we know we have a big impact, which means that we can also play a significant part in the de-carbonization of our planet to limit the consequences of climate change," says Vanessa Butani, VP Group Sustainability. "We’re committed to do our part and to inspire others."
Our climate leadership
By the end of 2021, Electrolux reduced its absolute scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions from operations by 78% compared to 2015. The company's science-based reduction target (SBT) is to achieve an 80% reduction in its scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2025, and climate neutral operations by 2030. Scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions were reduced by around 20% in 2021 compared to 2015, toward a reduction target of 25% by 2025. Read more about the company's Climate Goals.
In 2021, Electrolux was recognized for its sustainability leadership with a prestigious A score for Climate and Water as well as a Supplier Engagement Leader by the global non-profit CDP. by the global non-profit CDP. We also recognized as a global sustainability leader according to the Dow Jones Sustainability Index (S&P).
Partnering on climate action
"At Electrolux, we're committed to reaching net zero across our value chain – but as we can’t do this alone, partnerships are crucial to driving systemic change," says Butani.
In 2021, Electrolux used its voice to call for more rigorous and immediate climate action – particularly at the COP26 climate summit in November. For example, the company worked though the global UN-backed Race to Zero campaign to rally leadership and support from various actors in society.
Electrolux also called on leaders and decision makers at the COP26 and G20 summits to take action to limit the global temperature rise to 1.5°C as part of the We Mean Business Coalition. The coalition includes over 600 companies, representing over USD2.5 trillion in revenue, and responded to the "code red for humanity" issued by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) for the imminent risk of irreversible climate change.
Supplier collaboration through CDP
Electrolux has been working with CDP for almost 15 years, starting with its own company disclosure and most recently with the performance of its suppliers. In 2021, over 300 Electrolux suppliers engaged in the CDP Supply Chain Program. While voluntary, the program challenges suppliers to act more sustainably in their operations, which gives them a competitive advantage in their own market and with their customers.
The program highlighted further improvement in the performance of Electrolux suppliers. During the year, Electrolux was named a Supplier Engagement Leader by CDP, which is based on corporate governance, targets, disclosure, and the result of such high response rates and strong efforts to engage suppliers.
Other examples of Electrolux climate-related partnerships:
Collaboration with shipping partners – by using alternative fuels such as biofuel based on waste cooking oil, Electrolux will reduce its transport-related greenhouse gas emissions by 25% in 2022.
UN Cool Coalition – focuses on replacing high-impact greenhouse gases with more sustainable alternatives. Electrolux has announced a plan to replace high-impact greenhouse gases in all its appliances by 2023 at the latest, as part of its commitment to the Cool Coalition initiative. The plan will help Electrolux deliver on its objective to significantly reduce its climate footprint over the coming decade.
50L Home Coalition – The coalition aims to show how society can move to 50 liters of daily water use per person in the long term. As a founding member of the 50L Home Coalition in 2021, Electrolux contributed with expertise to create a new white paper "A Circular Water Future" aimed at influencing institutions and authorities to re-evaluate water-use policy around the world.
WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature) – Electrolux has used the WWF Water Risk Filter to help identify which of its plants are located in water-scarce areas and to formulate water-efficiency targets for those plants. The cooperation with WWF has helped shape the company’s ambitious approach to water efficiency and helped it adapt to a world that faces greater water scarcity in the future.
Stena Recycling – Following the development of a prototype vacuum cleaner made from 100% recycled materials together with Stena Recycling in 2020, Electrolux developed a prototype that is 90% recyclable in 2021 – compared with 70% for a conventional vacuum.
Read more in our Climate Goals.