We are working hard to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions and have committed to using 100% renewable electricity and achieving carbon neutrality in our own operations by 2025. We are also looking beyond our own operations to understand how to reduce the emissions in our supply chain.


OUR AMBITIONS

Targeted action where we can make a meaningful impact on the environment.

  • Reduce the carbon intensity of our operations by 15% by 2025 compared to our 2017 baseline.
  • Power our operations with 100% renewable electricity and achieve carbon neutrality for our operations by 2025.
  • Estimate, track and support actions to reduce our Scope 3 emissions.

In the last 15 years, I’ve seen sustainability grow hugely in importance. To date, we’ve improved our energy efficiency by 20% against a 2014 baseline. Measurement and monitoring of energy consumption is critical for success.”

Geert Moens Safety & Facilities Manager, Belgium

DECREASING OUR CARBON FOOTPRINT

In 2022, absolute GHG emissions from our operations decreased 33% from 2017 (37% when factoring in offsets from our tree plantings). While some of this reduction was due to a decline in internal production and sales during the COVID-19 pandemic, a significant portion was driven by our increased use of renewable electricity and energy efficiency projects. This is reflected in our carbon intensity: GHG emissions normalized by revenue decreased by 19% from 2017 (23% when factoring in offsets).

 In 2022, we partnered with expert consultants to help us measure and assess our Scope 3 (indirect value chain) emissions for the first time.

INCREASING OUR USE OF ENERGY EFFICIENT TECHNOLOGIES

In 2022, we implemented many energy efficiency measures at our facilities such as upgrading heating boilers with more efficient models, and installing programmable, automated heating systems.

As at end 2022, around 40% of our global square footage was lit with LEDs and at least 35% was fitted with energy conserving motion sensors and timers.

RENEWABLE ENERGY

We aim to power our operations with 100% renewable electricity by 2025 and, in 2022, 25% of our electricity use came from renewable sources (21% from purchased renewable electricity and 4% from on-site solar generation).

During 2022, we expanded the solar panel array at our manufacturing plant in Belgium and purchased 540 MWh of renewable power through utility offered programs in the US and UK, and 9,953 MWh of EACs in Hungary and Belgium.

CLIMATE RISKS AND OPPORTUNITIES

In 2022, we took significant steps to build our understanding of the business’s climate-related risks and opportunities, physical risks, and transition risks to a lower carbon economy.

The most important physical risk is an increase in extreme heat, although several sites also face increased risk from extreme precipitation. Potential transition risks include increased costs and/or scarcity of the raw materials used to manufacture our products. However, our efforts to improve the sustainability of our products also provide an opportunity to grow our market share with ecologically minded consumers.  

In 2023, we are introducing new climate risk management guidelines to ensure that we continue to consider the risks associated with climate change in our decision-making.

NEXT STEPS IN 2023

  • Renewable energy: We expect to switch at least one-third of US facilities to 100% renewable electricity in 2023 via renewable power programs.
  • Energy efficiency: We will be making energy efficiency upgrades including heating, ventilation and air-conditioning updates and LED retrofits at several facilities.
  • Indirect value chain emissions: We will build on our Scope 3 assessment and pilot projects with suppliers to measure emissions, refine calculations, assess opportunities to reduce our Scope 3 footprint, and develop a high-level action plan.
  • Target setting: Samsonite is currently assessing the feasibility of setting a science-based target (SBT) for Scope 3. At a minimum, we intend to set an updated, science-aligned target for Scope 1 and 2 in 2023.
OUR REPORTS AND POLICIES

We have published an Environmental, Social and Governance Report since 2016 and continue to share our progress on an annual basis.  

You will also find our statement on Modern Slavery in this section.

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