DuPont has committed to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
The US-based manufacturer of high-performance polymers said it intends to set long-term science-based greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction targets according to the standards set by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi).
SBTi’s corporate net-zero standard includes guidance, criteria, and recommendations companies need to set science-based net-zero targets consistent with limiting global temperature rise to 1.5 C.
DuPont will submit its targets for validation by SBTi within the next 24 months.
"At DuPont, we're proud to take yet another bold step in our commitment to sustainability that meets the needs of our customers and enables society to thrive," said Alexa Dembek, DuPont Chief Technology & Sustainability Officer. "Our efforts to deliver sustainable innovations and solutions has resulted in exceeding our 2030 climate goals and putting us on a clear path toward decarbonisation in our operations and value chains by 2050."
The company’s 2030 climate goals included designing 100% of its products and processes using sustainability criteria including the principles of green chemistry; and reducing GHGs emissions by 30%, including sourcing 60% of electricity from renewable energy.
In April 2024, DuPont announced it has achieved a 58% reduction in scopes 1 and 2 emissions from a 2019 baseline and achieving a 39% reduction in scope 3 emissions from purchased goods and services and end-of-life of sold products from a 2020 baseline. DuPont also surpassed its near-term goal to source 60% of electricity from its operations from renewable sources by 2030 and is committed to 100% renewable electricity by 2050.
DuPont’s net-zero commitment comes as companies including Shell, Unilever, and Coca-Cola are shifting their plastic sustainability goal posts. Shell, for example, has backtracked from its goal to turn 1 million tonnes of plastic waste into pyrolysis oil by 2025. Unilever abandoned its goal of cutting its virgin plastic use by 50% by 2025, after it revealed it has only achieved a 18% reduction so far. Its new goal is to reduce virgin plastic use by 30% by 2026 and by 40% by 2028.