Science-based climate targets: Science Based Targets initiative confirms SCHOTT's ambitious carbon reduction plans

Climate change is one of the greatest challenges of our time, which global society can only tackle effectively by adopting a joint commitment.  The energy and greenhouse gas-intensive industries in particular have a responsibility to drive change. Through its commitment to the SBTi, SCHOTT is taking the next step and joining a global initiative whose members are pioneers in the decarbonization of the economy.

The company has therefore made the reduction of its greenhouse gas emissions in its own production a focus of its sustainable company transformation since 2020. As part of its “Zero Carbon Program,” SCHOTT has established four fields of action to reduce CO2 emissions. Since 2019, the company has already been able to significantly reduce emissions by switching to green electricity and continuously increasing energy efficiency. The experts are now working on new technological ways to melt glass in its melting tanks using green energy sources.

“Limiting global warming is a global task that we as a society can only accomplish together,” says Dr. Jens Schulte, CFO of SCHOTT AG and responsible for the “Zero Carbon” strategy program. “This also includes close cooperation with our suppliers. Our transformation is challenging, but absolutely necessary. Ambitious corporate climate targets not only promote environmental protection, but also innovation and competitiveness.”

Sustainable value chain: SCHOTT determines dimension of Scope 3 emissions

In order to develop reduction targets with its suppliers, SCHOTT is therefore also taking a look at greenhouse gas emissions along its value chain. For the first time, the company has determined the dimension of its Scope 3 emissions. In order to establish comparability in terms of their climate impact, SCHOTT reports greenhouse gas emissions in CO2 equivalents (CO2e). In the base year 2019, emissions in the value chain amounted to around 1.3 million tons of CO2e. By comparison: Scope 1&2 emissions in 2019 were around 1 million tons of CO2e. Overall, SCHOTT’s emissions across all scopes thus amounted to around 2.3 million tons of CO2e.

Reduction targets in line with the Paris Agreement 

With the review by the SBTi, the technology Group is intensifying its commitment, especially with regard to the value chain. The SBTi has approved the targets for Scopes 1, 2 and 3 following a detailed review process – and thus also confirms SCHOTT’s claim to align its actions with the current state of climate science.

• SCHOTT AG commits to reducing its absolute Scope 1 and Scope 2 GHG emissions by 46.2% by fiscal year 2030, from a base year of fiscal year 2019.
• SCHOTT AG is also seeking to reduce its absolute Scope 3 GHG emissions from fuel and energy-related activities and investments by 27.5% within the same period of time.
• In addition, SCHOTT AG is undertaking to ensure that 74.23% of the emissions

of selected Scope 3 categories are covered by scientific reduction targets via the respective suppliers by 2027. These three selected Scope 3 categories are goods and services purchased, capital goods and upstream transportation and distribution.

Targets to be developed together with suppliers

“We want our goals to be based on a science-based approach,” explains Anja Schlosser, who coordinates the Zero Carbon Program at SCHOTT. “The confirmation of our reduction target until 2030 by an independent and recognized body underscores our ambitious strategy. This also means that we will develop solutions also together with our suppliers.”

Transparent reporting on sustainability

With the SBTi approval, SCHOTT is continuing on its path of having its commitment to sustainable development externally audited and providing transparent and well-founded information on the goals, progress and measures of its sustainability strategy. The progress towards achieving reductions is documented transparently on the SBTi platform. SCHOTT also discloses relevant sustainability data as part of an annual EcoVadis rating. Regardless of the SBTI target, which focuses on reduction, SCHOTT will continue to support climate protection projects in the Global South.

SBTi – Framework for science-based climate protection

The Science Based Targets Initiative was founded in 2015 by the organizations CDP (Carbon Disclosure Project), United Nations Global Compact (UNGC), World Resources Institute (WRI) and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF). It offers companies a clearly defined framework for reducing emissions in accordance with the latest scientific findings and in line with the goals of the Paris Agreement on climate change, thereby helping to limit global warming. Targets that meet the SBTi criteria are based on a long-term holistic approach and focus on drastically reducing the company’s direct and indirect emissions. The initiative promotes best practice in science-based target setting and independently assesses companies’ reduction targets. This makes it the highest recognized standard for climate targets worldwide. Over 6000 companies worldwide have already joined the initiative. 


Further information on environmental protection at SCHOTT