What are Science Based Targets, and why we are committing to them
At Wipak, our journey towards a low carbon future is entering a new and important phase. As part of our Horizon 2030 goals, we have committed to aligning our greenhouse gas emissions reductions with the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). In October 2024, we officially joined this global movement, marking a shift towards transparent, science aligned and futureproof climate action.
Many in our industry are still getting familiar with what SBTi actually means, so in this article we aim to explain it clearly and share why this approach matters for us, our customers and the wider market.
What are Science Based Targets?
The Science Based Targets initiative is a global organisation that guides and validates companies’ emissions reduction targets in line with the latest climate science. Their frameworks ensure that corporate climate action contributes meaningfully to limiting global warming to 1.5°C above preindustrial levels, the goal of the Paris Agreement.
In simple terms, science based targets help us understand:
- how much we must reduce our CO₂ emissions, and
- how quickly we must reduce them
to help avoid the most severe impacts of climate change and support a sustainable future for all.
Why Science Based Targets Matter
SBTi is widely recognised as the gold standard for credible climate action, with more than 11,000 companies and financial institutions participating worldwide. Targets validated through SBTi give stakeholders the confidence that reductions are real, measurable, and aligned with global climate goals.
For us, aligning with SBTi is both a commitment and a strategic decision. It brings several benefits:
- It ensures our climate actions are credible and transparent.
- It strengthens trust with customers, regulators and partners.
- It prepares us for future emissions regulations.
- It helps us futureproof our business and products.
As we often say internally, following SBTi is not just something we should do – it is essential for long term resilience in our industry.
Why We Are Taking This Path at Wipak
Our previous climate target, Company Carbon Neutral, relied partly on offsetting. While offsets helped bridge the gap, they do not meet SBTi expectations, which is why their use ended in 2025. From 2026 onwards, our progress must focus entirely on actual emission reductions, without compensation payments.
Joining SBTi supports this transformation. It gives us a clear, science aligned pathway for reducing emissions across:
- Scope 1 and 2 – our own energy and production emissions
- Scope 3 – primarily raw materials & transport
Much of our future reduction will come from:
- transitioning our portfolio to GreenChoice by Wipak®, using lower impact materials
- working closely with suppliers and engage them to reduce their emissions
- improving energy efficiency and waste reduction in our operations
- using more sustainable energy sources across our sites
We have committed to set near-term company-wide emission reductions in line with climate science with the SBTi, reflecting the level of action needed to keep global warming within manageable limits.
“Aligning ourselves with the SBTi is not only a commitment, but a strategic move that provides real benefits for the environment and positions us as a forward-thinking company that is fully prepared for future emissions regulations.”
Dr. Dorit Nelke-Bruhn
Head of Sustainability, Wipak Group
Looking Ahead to 2030
Committing to SBTi is a major step in our sustainability strategy and a signal of the direction we are taking as a company. It reinforces our belief that the transition to low carbon packaging must be driven together with our customers, suppliers and partners. Only through collaboration across the value chain can we reach our shared climate goals.
As we move forward, we will continue to communicate transparently about our progress, challenges and achievements. With SBTi as our guide, we are building a more resilient, sustainable and future ready Wipak, and contributing meaningfully to the global effort to limit warming to 1.5°C.
Sources:
https://sciencebasedtargets.org/about-us
https://sciencebasedtargets.org/how-to-set-science-based-targets
