Kingspan Group, parent company of Kingspan Light + Air North America and Solatube International Inc., has released its fourth annual ‘Planet Passionate’ sustainability report and announces a 65% absolute reduction in its scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions since 2020.^1,2  

In 2023 alone, the company achieved a further 40% absolute reduction in scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions since its base year, accelerated by the introduction of its business-wide internal carbon price in January 2023.³ 2023 also saw the Group invest further in operational and process improvements at sites worldwide to accelerate progress towards its carbon, on-site energy generation, rainwater harvesting capabilities and waste reduction targets. 

At Kingspan Light + Air’s Wausau, Wis. manufacturing facility, over 345 thousand pounds of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions have been saved since a solar photovoltaic (PV) roof system was installed in May 2023. This achievement is equivalent to planting 2,611 trees or generating over 200 megawatts of electricity. 

Meanwhile, in sunny Vista, Calif., Solatube International's headquarters and manufacturing facility is fully illuminated by the company's own tubular daylighting devices during daylight hours. This results in significant reductions in energy consumption and associated costs, enhanced employee productivity and well-being due to increased natural daylight and a marked decrease in carbon emissions, contributing positively to environmental sustainability efforts. 

Both companies also offer electric vehicle (EV) charging stations and actively contribute to reducing environmental impact through initiatives such as the elimination of single-use plastics, recycling and composting as part of its zero-company waste to landfill by 2030 goal. In 2023, Kingspan Light + Air and Solatube recycled a total of 457,260 pounds. 

Kingspan’s 10-year Planet Passionate sustainability program is the driving force behind its efforts to decarbonize its operations, product offering and supply chain, prioritizing absolute emissions reductions. The company has committed to challenging science-based targets approved by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) covering scope 1, 2 and 3 GHG emissions, including achieving a 90% absolute reduction in greenhouse gas emissions within its operations and a 42% absolute reduction in scope 3 GHG emissions from its 2020 base year. These targets are aligned with the IPCC’s goal to limit global temperature rise to 1.5⁰C by the end of this century. 

The program also features measurable targets to harvest rainwater, eliminate waste to landfill and increase use of recycled PET as a raw material to help tackle three of today’s biggest global challenges: climate change, circularity and protection of the natural world. 

Bianca Wong, Global Head of Sustainability at Kingspan Group, said:  

“To play our part in keeping global temperature rises within the 1.5°C limit, we committed to absolute emissions reductions and focused on making tangible progress in the short- to medium-term through our Planet Passionate program. In a business like Kingspan, that is only possible with significant structural and time investment and an unwavering dedication to delivering real results.  

Our global team of more than 100 people has completed over 300 projects across our business since 2020 to help realize our targets. With the majority of Kingspan’s value chain emissions coming from our upstream supply chain, we are working closely with our key supply partners to reduce the carbon intensity of our key raw materials. This work has enabled us to bring new lower embodied carbon products to market in 2023. 

We still have a lot of work to do and must continue to refocus and respond as the business grows and evolves, but I am incredibly proud of what our team has achieved in just four years and look forward to further progress towards our targets as Planet Passionate enters its fifth year.”   

The launch of Kingspan’s 2023 Planet Passionate report follows the recent announcement that the company was included on the globally recognized CDP Climate Change A List, which recognizes environmental leadership through transparency and meaningful climate action. Kingspan was one of just 346 companies to make the 2023 CDP Climate Change A List, of the 21,000 companies scored by CDP. In addition, CDP has also named Kingspan as a 2023 Supplier Engagement Leader in recognition of the company’s effectiveness in engaging with suppliers on climate change.  

Kingspan’s full 2023 Planet Passionate sustainability report can be viewed here. 

¹ Whole business – all manufacturing, assembly and R&D sites within the Kingspan Group, including additions since 2020.  

² Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions. Excluding biogenic emissions. Scope 2 GHG emissions calculated using market-based methodology. GHG emissions were recalculated due to acquisitions that occurred in 2021, 2022 and 2023 before 30^th September.  

³³ Internal carbon charge of €70 per ton of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO₂e) emitted by the division during the year. Scope 1 and 2 emissions, excluding process and biogenic emissions.