Solon, Ohio—Tarkett unveiled its new Climate Roadmap for 2030, in full alignment with the Paris Climate Agreement objective to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. The company said it will deliver a 30% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions across its entire value chain by 2030. Today, the independent organization Science Based Targets (SBTi) has started the evaluation and approval of Tarkett’s greenhouse gas reduction targets.
The Tarkett Climate Roadmap for 2030 covers reductions in greenhouse gas emissions from its own activities (Scope 1) and its purchased energy (Scope 2) as well as those arising from the rest of its value chain, from suppliers to end customers (Scope 3).
The SBTi is a partnership between CDP, the United Nations Global Compact, World Resources Institute (WRI) and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF). Science-based targets are designed to keep the planet within its global carbon budget in order to limit the increase of global temperatures and the effects of climate change. The building industry can make a major contribution to resource preservation and the mitigation of climate impact, since it represents around 40% of global GHG emissions (production, transport & incineration) and 60-70% of total waste.
“Together with our teams, we have set climate targets consistent with the Paris Agreement,” said Arnaud Marquis, chief sustainability and innovation officer at Tarkett. “Now we are working closely with the SBTi to assess and approve our targets and to accelerate our contribution to a carbon-neutral world by 2050. These targets are extremely challenging, as only 10% of our emissions are linked to our own manufacturing operations. The rest comes from the use of raw materials and the treatment and incineration of our products at end of use. Setting these targets for the entire value chain is a win-win situation—it helps to reduce our own greenhouse gas emissions and those of our customers. We have an important responsibility to change the game in our industry. We need all our stakeholders to join us on that journey, ensuring swift progress.”
Over the last decade, Tarkett said it has reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 38% (Scope 1 and 2) and is now accelerating that progress under the 2030 Climate Roadmap. The company has recently achieved a B score by CDP. This represents the second highest level of maturity a company can reach at the world’s leading climate performance platform, illustrating the strong commitment of Tarkett teams involved in the Climate Roadmap, according to the company. Greenhouse gas reductions are already being achieved through increased energy efficiency at production sites, renewable energy sourcing and eco-designed products. Through eco-design, Tarkett teams are selecting and using high-quality materials with a low carbon footprint. This approach based on Cradle to Cradle principles diminishes the need for virgin raw materials while reducing the company’s carbon footprint. As part of its circular economy strategy, Tarkett has developed a dedicated flooring take-back and recycling program called ReStart.
“Tarkett North American facilities are making measurable progress toward the goals set forth by our global leadership,” said Roxane Spears, vice president of sustainability for Tarkett North America. “Through a combination of renewable electricity, closed-loop water systems, and responsible sourcing of raw materials, we are on track to meet the corporate goals set for 2030 and beyond. Through these advancements, we’re able to offer the broadest portfolio of Carbonfree-certified flooring products available in North America, including linoleum, rubber tile, HO/HE sheet and tile, luxury vinyl tile, ethos modular carpet tile, Powerbond hybrid resilient sheet flooring and Baseworks wall finishing accessories.”
Find out more about Tarkett’s climate action on the new website.