Climate Action

Targets overview 

Scope 1 and 2 emissions  

In 2019, Umicore’s scope 1 GHG emissions amounted to 389 kilotonnes CO₂e and Scope 2 GHG emissions were 403 kilotonnes CO₂e. We’re aiming for net zero Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions by 2035, with a 20% reduction target by 2025 and a 50% reduction target by 2030. We are also aiming to operate fully on renewable electricity in Europe and 60% globally by 2025.  

Scope 3 emissions  

The majority of Umicore's CO₂ footprint consists of Scope 3 emissions, amounting to 8,300 kilotonnes CO₂e in 2019. The upstream emissions linked to purchased goods amounted to 7,300 kilotonnes CO₂e in 2019. Umicore has set an ambitious target to reduce the carbon intensity of purchased materials by 42% by 2030.  

Umicore is implementing several levers to reduce our upstream emissions, such as increasing our internal reuse of recycled metals, increasing secondary materials in our input mix, sourcing from decarbonizing and low-carbon suppliers, and integrating our services upstream.  Supplier engagement is a key step in our implementation.

Avoided emissions

Decarbonization of all scopes is a key priority for Umicore. Scope 1, 2 and 3 emission reduction is at the heart of our ambitions. Avoided emissions are when Umicore products prevent other CO₂ emissions during their lifetime. These are sometimes called Scope 4 emissions.  

Tracking and reporting avoided emissions provide transparency on how Umicore products and innovations contribute to emission reductions across our value chain and contribute to global decarbonization goals.