May 19, 2020

Companies call for net-zero recovery from COVID-19 

Henkel joins major global climate advocacy effort

Düsseldorf – Henkel is among 155 major global companies from 34 sectors, which have signed a statement urging governments around the world to align their COVID-19 economic aid and recovery efforts with the latest climate science.

The companies, which are all part of the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), are calling for policies that will build resilience against future shocks by supporting efforts to hold global temperature rise to within 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, in line with reaching net-zero emissions well before 2050.

“Now, we need to invest in innovation, scale up the solutions we already have and work with our partners along the value chain towards climate-neutrality. To achieve that, we have set ourselves ambitious, science-based targets,” said Henkel CEO Carsten Knobel. 

The business voices are convened by the Science Based Targets initiative and its Business Ambition for 1.5°C campaign partners, the UN Global Compact and the We Mean Business coalition. The SBTi, which is a collaboration between CDP (formerly Carbon Disclosure Project), the UN Global Compact, World Resources Institute and WWF, independently assesses and validates corporate climate targets against the latest climate science. 

The 155 companies have already set, or committed to set, science-based emissions reduction – Henkel’s targets were recently approved by the Science Based Targets initiative. By signing the statement, the companies are reaffirming that their own decisions and actions remain grounded in science, while calling on governments to “prioritize a faster and fairer transition from a grey to a green economy.” 

The joint statement comes as governments around the world are preparing stimulus packages to help economies recover from the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic, and as they prepare to submit enhanced national climate plans under the Paris Agreement. 

"Governments have a critical role to play by aligning policies and recovery plans with the latest climate science, but they cannot drive a systemic socio-economic transformation alone. To address the interconnected crises we face, we must work together as an international community to deliver on the Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Agreement," said Lila Karbassi, Chief of Programmes at the UN Global Compact, and Science Based Targets initiative Board Member. "As the largest ever UN-backed CEO-led climate advocacy effort, these companies are leading the way in driving ambitious science-based action and advocacy to help reduce vulnerability to future shocks and disasters.”

Henkel’s commitment to climate protection
Henkel wants to make a positive contribution to climate protection and fully supports the commitment of the United Nations’ Paris Agreement on climate change. By 2040, Henkel wants to become a climate-positive company. 

Based on its long-term goals, the company derived specific emission reduction targets, which were approved by the Science Based Targets initiative as consistent with levels required to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement to limit global warming to 1.5°C.

For more information on Henkel’s commitment and targets for climate protection, visit www.henkel.com/sustainability/climate-positive.
 
About Henkel
Henkel operates globally with a well-balanced and diversified portfolio. The company holds leading positions with its three business units in both industrial and consumer businesses thanks to strong brands, innovations and technologies. Henkel Adhesive Technologies is the global leader in the adhesives market – across all industry segments worldwide. In its Laundry & Home Care and Beauty Care businesses, Henkel holds leading positions in many markets and categories around the world. Founded in 1876, Henkel looks back on more than 140 years of success. In 2019, Henkel reported sales of around 20 billion euros and adjusted operating profit of around 3.2 billion euros. Henkel employs around 52,000 people globally – a passionate and highly diverse team, united by a strong company culture, a common purpose to create sustainable value, and shared values. As a recognized leader in sustainability, Henkel holds top positions in many international indices and rankings. Henkel’s preferred shares are listed in the German stock index DAX. For more information, please visit www.henkel.com.

Photo material is available at www.henkel.com/press 

Contact	Jennifer Ott	Hanna Philipps
Phone	+49 211 797-2756	+49 211 797-3626
Email	jennifer.ott@henkel.com	hanna.philipps@henkel.com                               

Henkel AG & Co. KGaA