Michelin on track with CO2 emissions targets 

Clermont-Ferrand, France – Michelin Group’s CO2 emissions reduction targets have have been approved by the science based targets initiative (SBTi), an independent organisation which encourages companies to set greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions-reduction targets.

Established by the UN Global Compact, CDP (formerly the Carbon Disclosure Project), World Resources Institute (WRI) and World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), SBTi reviews greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in three scopes.

Scope 1 emissions are generated by sources owned or controlled by the "company", while scope 2 emissions result from the generation of energy that is purchased and consumed by the company. Scope 3 covers emissions resulting from the company's business but generated by sources not owned or controlled by the company.

In a statement 21 May, Michelin said it had committed to reducing absolute scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions by 38% by 2030 from a 2010 base year. 

Michelin also pledged to reduce absolute scope 3 GHG emissions by 15% by 2030 from a 2018 base year.

These, the French group said, include emissions from fuel- and energy-related activities; upstream and downstream transportation and distribution; and end-of-life treatment of sold products.

In additio, Michelin committed that 70% of its suppliers by emissions covering purchased goods and services will have science-based targets by 2024.

The French group said the approval by SBTi was the “first step” towards achieving its net-zero emissions target at all sites by 2050.

“Gaining SBTi’s approval of our CO2 reduction targets is additional proof of the pertinence of our environmental strategy,” said group CEO Florent Menegaux. 

SBTi defines and promotes best practice in science-based target setting and independently assesses companies' targets.

The new climate goals will be linked to the company's value chain, as well as the environmental impacts of products.

There are 337 companies listed on the Science Based Targets website as participants in the initiative. Other tire companies participating include: Nokian, JK Tyre & Industries Ltd., and Pirelli & C SpA.