The Environment

We look for any way in which we can reduce our impact on the environment and set targets that put focus on specific areas for improvement and action.

Man and woman sitting talking in a park, bridge in the background.

Our targets and how we’re doing

In the Climate and environment area we have five targets:

To keep the global temperature increase to maximum 1.5 degrees, we should achieve a 46% reduction in the CO₂e* emissions (tonnes) from scopes 1 & 2 by 2030, compared to the 2019 baseline.
To keep the global temperature increase well below 2 degrees, we should achieve a 28% reduction in the CO₂e* emissions (tonnes) from scope 3 by 2030, compared to the 2019 baseline.
Continuous year-on-year reduction of water consumption in relation to cost of sales.
A continuous increase in the percentage of significant suppliers with an approved environmental management system (EMS).
100% reused, recycled or recovered waste from internal operations by 2030.

* CO₂e stands for "Carbon Dioxide Equivalent", which includes CO₂ and other greenhouse gases. An equivalent is a measure of how much a gas contributes to global warming, relative to carbon dioxide.

How we're doing

We have performed well in meeting our previous target to reduce the energy consumption in our operations and transport in relation to cost of sales.
We have also steadily increased the percentage of significant suppliers with an environmental management system.
We will need to work hard to meet our new science-based targets and to reduce both waste generation and water consumption.

See a summary of our results on the Group targets for the past three years.

How our targets relate to the UN Global Goals

Global Goal 6: Clean water

We are working to continuously reduce our water consumption. Since 1984 Atlas Copco has supported the employee-driven initiative “Water for All”. Since its start more than 2 million people have gained access to clean water and improved sanitation.

Global Goal 7: Affordable and clean energy

Atlas Copco undertakes a range of activities to reduce CO₂e emissions from energy in operations and transport of goods, such as installing solar panels, buying renewable electricity and avoiding air freight.

Global Goal 9: Industry, innovation and infrastructure

SDG icons - industry, innovation and infrastructure

Energy efficiency in our products and service is a key selling point for Atlas Copco. The main environmental impact is in our customers’ use of our products. All projects for new and redesigned products must assess the environmental impact of the product. Products are developed with a life-cycle perspective.

Global Goal 12: Responsible consumption and production

SDG icon - responsible consumption and production

We strive to make production as efficient as possible and reduce waste. We seek to decrease the total waste produced. Our chemical handling follows strict protocols. Components that contain conflict minerals are not accepted and Atlas Copco monitors and screens its supply chain.

Global Goal 13: Climate action

We have set science-based targets to be a part of the solution to global warming and climate change. Our largest impact is in the use of our products, and we provide solutions designed to reduce our customers’ energy consumption and carbon emissions. We also work to lower our own energy consumption, switch to renewable energy and give preference to transport that minimizes climate impact.

Visit the UN site about the Global Goals

Responsible use of resources

We continuously improve our facilities and processes to reduce our climate impact.

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The Environment