Sustainability Consulting

Klöckner & Co, one of the largest producer-independent distributors of steel and metal products, faced the challenge of significantly reducing its carbon emissions in line with its approved science-based targets. The company aimed to halve emissions across all scopes by 2030 and achieve net-zero emissions for scopes 1 and 2 by 2040, with a longer-term goal of addressing scope 3 emissions—primarily from purchased steel products—by 2050. This ambitious plan was necessitated by the steel sector's substantial contribution to global CO2 emissions, which accounted for 7% of total energy sector emissions and 28% of industrial emissions in 2019.

To tackle these challenges, Klöckner & Co implemented a comprehensive strategy that included transitioning to renewable energy sources and converting its vehicle fleet to electric and hydrogen-powered options. The company conducted thorough emission analyses to identify further reduction opportunities, particularly in procurement and logistics. Additionally, to mitigate scope 3 emissions, Klöckner updated its travel policy to prohibit domestic European flights except in exceptional circumstances and introduced a flexible hybrid working policy to reduce commuting emissions.

As a result of these initiatives, Klöckner & Co is projected to cut approximately 90,000 tonnes of carbon emissions annually. This proactive approach not only positions the company as a leader in the steel sector's transition to sustainability but also sets a precedent for other companies to follow in taking meaningful climate action.