Boral has had its emissions reductions targets approved by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), aligning it with the Paris Agreement as a first of its kind.
The company aims to reduce its scope 1 and 2 emissions by 46 per cent by 2030, which chief finance and strategy officer Tino La Spina said was world-leading.
“Boral was the first company in the global cement sector to set 2030 science-based targets aligned with a 1.5°C pathway for scope 1 and 2 emissions,” La Spina said.
“As Australia’s largest integrated construction materials company, we believe it is important that we accelerate the transition to a net zero future in the construction materials industry by reducing our carbon footprint and by offering product solutions to our customers to build more sustainable buildings and infrastructure.”
To achieve these goals, Boral will target five key goals:
- Transition to 100 per cent renewable electricity by 2025 and an increase to its alternative fuels at the Berrima cement kiln.
- Grow the proportion of revenue from its lower carbon concrete product range and improve efficiencies at its cement plant.
- Reduce transport emissions for its own fleet and contractor fleets.
- Prioritise suppliers based on lower carbon intensities.
- Research, test and develop emerging carbon capture, use and storage technologies (CCUS).
The success or failure of these goals is expected to impact on Boral’s competitiveness as a supplier of construction materials.
La Spina said it was integral for Boral to stick to these targets as the industry continues to transform in tune with decarbonisation.
“Boral is determined to become a leading innovator in sustainability through decarbonisation of cement and concrete and increasing our contribution to a more circular economy,” La Spina said.
“We continue to support our customers in their transition to net zero, broadening our range of high performing lower carbon concrete products to cater for all building and infrastructure applications, and offering Climate Active−certified net carbon neutral concrete.”
Boral began with a baseline of 1.8 million tonnes of carbon emissions for the 2019 financial year and will measure its scope 1 and 2 emission reduction targets from this point.
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