Breedon Group plc (Breedon or the Group), a leading vertically-integrated international construction materials group in Great Britain, Ireland and the United States, provides a significant update to its sustainability strategy, with the successful approval of its near and long-term science-based emissions reductions targets with the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi).

The SBTi is a global body that defines and promotes best practice in science-based target setting, challenging businesses to align themselves with the Paris Agreement’s goal of limiting global warming to 1.5°C. These targets provide a clearly defined pathway for companies to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, helping to mitigate the impacts of climate change and create more sustainable business growth.

Specifically, the SBTi has verified Breedon’s near-term target to reduce absolute gross scope 1, 2 GHG emissions, and scope 3 emissions from purchased clinker and cement by 23.3% by 2030, from a 2022 base year. Beyond 2030, the SBTi has verified Breedon’s target to achieve net-zero GHG emissions across the value chain by 2050, and to reduce absolute gross scope 1, 2 and 3 GHG emissions by 95% by 2050, from a 2022 base year.

To achieve these ambitions, the Group will continue transitioning away from fossil fuels and, in particular, to the utilisation of biomass fuels, which present the possibility of enabling the business to go beyond net-zero. Other potential routes to decarbonisation include hydrogen, electrification, and Carbon Capture and Storage, the latter being at the core of the innovative Peak Cluster project, in which Breedon is one of the key players. This milestone underscores the strong progress Breedon is making on its sustainability strategy. 

Donna Hunt, Group Sustainability Director at Breedon Group, commented, 

“Addressing climate change is vital for the planet, business resilience and long-term success. Our products are essential to the development and wellbeing of society. By aligning our operations and strategies with the latest climate science, we are not only future-proofing our business, but contributing to the vital mission of limiting global warming.

“The SBTi’s approval of our rigorous, science-based decarbonisation targets is testament to our unwavering commitment to environmental stewardship, and our dedication to playing an important role in the global transition towards a low-carbon economy.

“I am proud of the commitment and enthusiasm of all our Breedon colleagues as we collectively work towards these ambitious targets, continuing to reduce our carbon footprint, and eventually achieving net-zero carbon emissions.” 

Breedon’s full target detail, along with the full list of companies and financial institutions that have set science-based targets, or have committed to developing targets, can be found here.

For more information about Breedon Group and its sustainability initiatives, please visit Sustainability page.