Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Thule Group strives to continuously reduce our negative climate impacts by reducing our greenhouse gas emissions. We aim to reduce our environmental impact, and GHG emissions, by reducing our energy consumption and increasing the proportion of renewable energy. We evaluate our climate impact according to the guidelines of the Greenhouse Gas Protocol on three levels, or "Scopes". 

All production facilities in Europe have received their electricity from renewable sources since 2017. Our assembly and development facility in Hillerstorp uses biogas for heating, and thereby renewable energy for both heating and electricity. Solar panels on the roofs of the manufacturing and office buildings in Connecticut, in the US, provide around 25% of their electricity needs.

In 2020 Thule Group achieved a 76% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions compared to 2014, thus surpassing our 2020 target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in our plants by 65% compared to 2014. To ensure improved monitoring of greenhouse gas emissions throughout our value chain, we have set new long-term 2030 climate targets for Scope 1, 2, and 3 greenhouse gas emissions in accordance with the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi), a scientific method of ensuring that our targets are in line with the global Paris Agreement.

Long-term targets
  • Scope 1
    We commit to a 46% absolute reduction of GHG emissions from our own production facilities by end of 2030, compared to a 2019 base year.
    • 75 percent of all the energy used at our manufacturing sites to originate from renewable sources by no later than 2025.
    • By no later than 2025, Thule Group is to have a fossil-free vehicle fleet for company cars, trucks and forklifts.
  • Scope 2
    We commit to have 100% purchased renewable electricity at our own production facilities and offices with more than 12 employees by end of 2030, compared to 94% in 2019.
    • 100 percent renewable electricity at all manufacturing sites and offices with more than 12 employees.
    • 100 percent of all the energy used at our manufacturing sites to originate from renewable sources by no later than 2030.
  • Scope 3
    We commit to a 28% absolute reduction of GHG emissions related to our purchased goods, upstream logistics, and downstream logistics by end of 2030, compared to a 2019 base year.
    • Collect data for greenhouse gas emissions and energy consumption from critical suppliers representing >80 percent of all purchases.
    • Reduce air freight through a formalized authorization process and expanded use of rail and sea as well as fossil-free vehicles for last mile transportation.
  • Shared for scopes 1, 2 and 3
    • Reduce direct and indirect greenhouse gas emissions an average of 20 percent per product by 2030 compared to a 2019 base year.
    • Greenhouse gas emissions are to be central to the design of new products through the use of ecodesign models, material emissions databases and a library of previous lifecycle evaluations.
    • Circular thinking through extended product lifetimes through modular focus in product families and expanded offering of spare parts.
    • Increase the share of recycled material or material with lower greenhouse gas emissions without negatively affecting product safety or lifetime.
    • Evaluate strategies for reduced climate impact and net zero emissions by no later than 2023, according to the new framework developed by the SBTi.
  • To ensure improved monitoring of our greenhouse gas emissions throughout our value chain, we will also collect annual GHG emissions data and energy data from strategic suppliers via the CDP Supply Chain Program and have our annual GHG emissions independently verified by South Pole. 
What happened in 2021
  • Scope 1
    14% increase in GHG emissions, compared with base year 2019.
  • Scope 2
    100% - we only use renewable electricity
  • Scope 3
    31% increase in GHG emissions, compared with base year 2019.
    Relative to sales, emissions in 2021 decreased to 3.4 tons CO2e per million Swedish kronor in sales, compared with 3.9 tons CO2e per million Swedish kronor in sales compared to a 2019 base year.
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