Henkel has announced that it is aiming to reduce absolute Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions by 42% and Scope 3 emissions by 30% by 2030, as the Düsseldorf-based firm unveiled its new sustainability targets.
The chemical and consumer goods firm is also aiming to achieve net zero emissions by 2045. Its 2030 emissions targets are set against a 2021 baseline year.
As of last year, the company had achieved a 29% reduction across all scopes compared to 2021 levels, while 37 of its production sites had implemented carbon-neutral operations. In addition, its share of renewable electricity has risen to 97% globally, it noted.
‘A sustainable future’
“For 150 years, Henkel has demonstrated that responsible practice and strong business performance go hand in hand. In today’s challenging and volatile environment, it is more important than ever to take a clear and consistent stance in shaping a sustainable future,” commented Carsten Knobel, CEO of Henkel. “In line with our purposeful growth agenda, we are now taking the next step with new and ambitious, yet tangible sustainability goals.”
Other targets outlined in its revised sustainability strategy include increasing the share of recycled plastic in consumer packaging to 35% by the end of the decade, up from the current level of 28%, while it is also aiming for all packaging to be designed for recycling, up from the current level of 88%.
These efforts are going to be supported by the development of specialised adhesive solutions produced by its business unit Adhesive Technologies, which are to be tested at its customer centres in Düsseldorf and Shanghai.
Supply chain sustainability
The company is working with its suppliers on efforts to improve sustainability across its supply chain, noting that it will continue to assess suppliers based on criteria including environmental protection, safety, and social standards.
By 2030, it is aiming for 85% of its suppliers to meet its defined sustainability criteria.
Elsewhere, when it comes to social sustainability, Henkel has set a target of achieving global gender balance in management by 2030 – with both men and women represented at more than 45% across all levels. As of the end of 2025, women accounted for more than 43% across its operations. Allied to this, the company is also striving to achieve global pay equity by the end of the decade.
In 2025, Henkel received an ‘A’ rating in the climate category from CDP and was awarded Gold status by EcoVadis.
‘The progress achieved so far shows that Henkel is on the right track,’ the company noted. Read more here.
