VP plc’s emission goals get validation

Photo: VP plc

Vp plc’s strategy to reduce emissions has received validation from the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi) as being in line with its target to limit global warming to 1.5°C.

The UK-based company has pledged long-term to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions and to reduce absolute scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions by 90% by 2050.

In the short-term, it has pledged to reduce its absolute scope 1 emissions by 50.4%, and scope 3 emissions by 50% from purchased goods and services, capital goods, use of sold products and downstream leased assets within the same timeframe. 

At the same time, the company said most of its top 250 suppliers by emissions will have set science-based emissions reduction targets by 2025, all employees will be carbon literate and trained in sustainability.

The group will also reduce its energy consumption intensity (kWh/m2) by 20%, its waste production intensity by 30%, recycle more than 85% waste and divert more than 95% waste from landfill.

It has also developed a system to calculate the emission values of its day-to-day business, and its shoring and trackway divisions, Groundforce Shorco and TPA, have both developed carbon calculators for their products, which they have made available to customers for free. 

Mathew Wood, Vp plc’s group risk and sustainability director has been tasked with ensuring the group has by mid-2024, a fully-costed transition plan to net zero.

Wood said, “We decided to calculate our emissions inventory in-house as we felt this would provide a better understanding within our business. Our validation reinforces the decision that we made.”

Fred Pilkington, Vp plc’s sustainability programme manager, added: “Our commitment to rapid decarbonisation is unwavering and the measures we have already taken to significantly reduce our carbon footprint are already reaping dividends. We are delighted to have achieved SBTi validation.”

In the first half of the 2023-24 financial year alone, Vp invested £25 million in zero emissions at point of use or greener products representing 90% of overall investment.