International. Johnson Controls reported that the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi) approved its ambitious emissions reduction targets.
Targets covering greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from Johnson Controls operations (scopes 1 and 2) are consistent with the reductions needed to keep warming at 1.5°C, the most ambitious target of the Paris Agreement. Johnson Controls' target for emissions from its value chain (scope 3) also meets the SBTi criteria for ambitious value chain targets and is therefore aligned with current industry best practices.
"Independent validation of our new targets is confirmation that we are on the best track to avoid the worst effects of climate change," said George Oliver, Chairman and CEO of Johnson Controls. "We recently announced new environmental, social and governance (ESG) commitments, along with a net-zero carbon pledge. The validation of the SBTi further proves the strength of our core strategy: to reduce carbon emissions and contribute to a healthy and more sustainable planet. This is at the heart of our business."
The SBTi is a partnership between CDP, the United Nations Global Compact, the World Resources Institute and the World Wide Fund for Nature. It independently assesses companies' sustainability claims and uses science-based targets to show them how much and how fast they must reduce their GHG emissions to be consistent with keeping global warming below the most dangerous levels.
As part of its environmental sustainability commitments, Johnson Controls aims to reduce operational emissions by 55% and those of its customers by 16% in absolute terms by 2030. Its OpenBlue platform, designed to optimize the sustainability of buildings, will be fundamental to achieve these objectives and, ultimately, to create an environment of people, spaces and a healthy planet.
"Improving the health of our planet is a priority issue that we are recognizing through our commitments. We are making a positive change within our own corporation and believe we are in a unique position to help customers and suppliers achieve their sustainability goals," said Katie McGinty, Vice President and Chief Sustainability, Government and Regulatory Affairs Officer, Johnson Controls.
Johnson Controls is taking important steps to significantly improve its environmental impact, while empowering customers and future generations to consume less energy, conserve resources and identify pathways to healthy communities that generate net-zero carbon emissions. Powered by artificial intelligence and machine learning, Johnson Controls' OpenBlue platform facilitates real-time monitoring, benchmarking, and analysis of energy consumption and demand. It also allows clients to produce indoor environmental quality reports to help obtain healthy building and wellness certifications.
The company recently joined the Business Ambition for 1.5°C campaign, an urgent call to action from a global coalition of UN agencies and business and industry leaders, and is a signatory to The Climate Pledge, a business leaders' initiative co-founded by Amazon and Global Optimism. The signatories of the pledge agreed to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2040, ten years ahead of the target set out in the United Nations Paris Climate Agreement.
As a leader in the building industry for more than 135 years, Johnson Controls has been a pioneer in sustainability, ranked in 12 percent of the world's leading climate companies by CDP and was recently named to the World's Most Ethical Companies® Honor Roll and one of the 100 Most Sustainable Companies in the World by Corporate Knights. Most recently, George Oliver was named Chairman of the Energy and Environment Committee of the Business Roundtable, where he promotes policies that preserve the environment and maximize sustainable energy options.
