Greene King receives approval from science based targets initiative for its goal to halve greenhouse gas emissions by 2030

Greene King, the UK’s leading pub company and brewer, is pleased to announce that the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) has approved its near-term science-based emissions reduction target.

The targets submitted to the global body by Greene King last year were as follows:

• Greene King commits to reduce absolute scope 1 and 2 GHG (greenhouse gas) emissions 50% by 2030 from a 2019 base year.
• Greene King also commits to reduce absolute scope 3 GHG emissions 50% within the same timeframe.

The action is urgently needed by all companies as the latest climate science from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) - described by the UN as “code red for humanity” - shows it is still possible to limit a global temperature rise to 1.5°C, but the world is dangerously close to that threshold.

Reacting to the news that the SBTi had verified Greene King’s targets, CEO Nick Mackenzie said: “We know the scale of what has to be done and today is an important milestone as it shows our climate action plan is based on science.

“The hard work starts now as we are just starting out on our journey and beginning to put our commitments into practice.

“The climate crisis is the greatest challenge of our time, and it’s clear from climate science findings that nothing less than rapid and deeps cuts to emissions before 2030 are required. It’s vital we play our part in this – it’s the right thing to do, helps our customers make more sustainable choices and ensures the long-term commercial sustainability of our pubs and breweries across the UK.”

In 2022, Greene King announced its intention to seek approval from the SBTi for its near-term emissions target. The pub company and brewer has also publicly committed to be net zero by 2040, and plans to submit this net zero commitment to the SBTi for approval later this year.

Scope 1 emissions are direct emissions generated by the company under direct operational control. Scope 2 emissions are indirect emissions generated from the purchase of electricity and used by the company. Scope 3 emissions are all other indirect emissions generated outside of the company’s control.