KONE is the first in the industry to achieve carbon neutral manufacturing units globally
KONE Corporation, press release, September 28, 2023
KONE Corporation, a global leader in the elevator and escalator industry, has reached a major milestone 18 months ahead of schedule, when KONE’s manufacturing units became carbon neutral at the end of June 2023. This achievement showcases KONE’s dedication to its climate pledge and ensuring best-in-class supply chain operations globally. In 2020 KONE has aligned and validated its ambitious, action-based journey towards carbon neutral operations by 2030 with Science Based Targets initiative to limit global warming to 1.5°C.
Driving sustainable factory operations across the globe
KONE has ten manufacturing units in seven countries across the globe. All of them have actively worked to reduce their scope 1 & 2 emissions by 71% compared to the 2018 baseline.
As part of scope 1 emission targets, KONE is constantly investing in energy efficiency and working on transitioning to electric vehicles in all its manufacturing units.
KONE has invested in energy efficiency and manufacturing line robotics and automation and has among others invested in heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems increasing energy savings. In 8 out of 10 factories, forklifts have been replaced with electric powered forklifts, and most of the remaining diesel-powered forklifts are now powered by biofuels.
In addition, KONE has installed solar panels in nine out of ten of its manufacturing units, and all units have been purchasing 100% renewable electricity since the beginning of 2023. Two manufacturing units have switched to green district heating partners. The remaining carbon emissions are compensated through a third-party partner.
“This is a significant step in KONE’s ambition to have the most resilient, sustainable and competitive supply chain in the industry,” says Mikko Korte, EVP, KONE Supply Chain. “Sustainability is a core principle in all our businesses and operations. Manufacturing units are an integral part of our supply chain operations and carbon footprint, and I am very proud of KONE leading the industry in reaching carbon neutrality on that front.”
KONE’s ambitious climate targets
In 2020, KONE announced its climate pledge with science-based targets for the significant reduction of GHG emissions by 2030, in line with limiting global warming to 1.5°C. KONE was the first in the elevator and escalator industry to set ambitious climate targets, validated against the latest climate science by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). Furthermore, KONE has pledged to have carbon neutral operations by 2030, with our manufacturing units reaching this target already 18 months ahead at end of June 2023.
KONE committed to a 50% reduction in emissions from its own operations. This includes direct GHG emissions that occur from sources that are controlled or owned by us, such as vehicles (Scope 1), and our indirect GHG emissions associated with the purchase of electricity, heat, or cooling (Scope 2) by 2030, compared to a 2018 baseline.
In addition, KONE targets a 40% reduction in emissions related to its products’ materials and lifetime energy consumption (Scope 3) over the same target period, relative to products ordered. Our actions to reach this target help our customers reduce their own carbon footprint and contribute to more sustainable supply chains.
For further information, please contact:
Hanna Rutanen, SVP, Communications, KONE Corporation, tel. +358 41 507 1361, media@kone.com
Read more
Previous press releases are available at https://www.kone.com/en/news-and-insights/releases/ including:
January 18, 2023: KONE ranked 19th most sustainable company in the world by Corporate Knights
December 13, 2022: KONE recognized with prestigious 'A' score for climate change
February 24, 2022: KONE awarded as Supplier Engagement Leader by CDP
December 7, 2021: KONE recognized with prestigious 'A' score for climate change
January 28, 2021: KONE enters a new phase of its strategy: 'Sustainable success with customers'
December 8, 2020: KONE awarded CDP 2020 'A' score for corporate sustainability leadership
September 28, 2020: KONE sets ambitious greenhouse gas reduction targets and pledges to have carbon neutral operations by 2030
February 4, 2020: KONE awarded as Supplier Engagement Leader by CDP
January 22, 2020: KONE recognized for outstanding climate and sustainability performance by both CDP and Corporate Knights
About KONE
At KONE, our mission is to improve the flow of urban life. As a global leader in the elevator and escalator industry, KONE provides elevators, escalators and automatic building doors, as well as solutions for maintenance and modernization to add value to buildings throughout their life cycle. Through more effective People Flow®, we make people's journeys safe, convenient and reliable, in taller, smarter buildings. In 2022 KONE had annual sales of EUR 10,9 billion, and at the end of the year over 60,000 employees. KONE class B shares are listed on the Nasdaq Helsinki Ltd. in Finland. www.kone.com
