Inspiration Office: Going Carbon Neutral Now

Carbon Neutral Now. Carbon Negative Next.

Steelcase have announced new science-based targets that position them to become carbon negative by 2030 – decades ahead of the 2050 Paris Agreement mandate.

Climate change is a complex global problem and our collective approach right now will determine the impact on our planet for decades to come. As of this year, Steelcase achieved carbon neutrality in their own operations by removing as much carbon as they emit. True climate action is based on science which is why they went even further by setting targets approved by the Science Based Targets initiative positioning them to become carbon negative (or climate positive) by 2030. The comprehensive strategy is as ambitious as it is historic for Steelcase.

“We have stayed steadfast in our resolve to make a difference even amid a pandemic. And we cannot do this alone. We intend to work with our network of customers and suppliers to multiply the impact we can have when others join us on this mission.”

Over the next decade, Steelcase will focus on significantly reducing emissions with targets that are in line with what climate science shows us is the rate needed to prevent the worst impacts of climate change. To accomplish this over the next decade, the company plans to improve energy usage, reduce waste in operations and align company behavior and decisions to support this strategy. Since most of their emissions are considered indirect, they will work with suppliers to set their targets.

These goals place Steelcase in a group of fewer than 200 companies that have set science-based targets aligned with reducing greenhouse gas emissions to keep climate change at or below 1.5°C. By committing to aggressively cut emissions at this rate, they are aligned with the most ambitious temperature goal of the Paris Agreement.

The 1.5°C scenario may sound like a small number, but even a slight temperature change has a big impact. Our connected ecosystem means a change in temperature in one part of the world can create chaos in another. With a 1°C rise in temperatures, we’ve already seen human and business impacts from record-breaking storms, forest fires, heat waves and floods. Without action, there will be large-scale disruption and devastation to our communities, including coastal areas that could end up underwater or land-locked cities that could see massive migration.