On May 24, PPG announced that the company has committed to developing near-term company-wide emissions reduction targets consistent with climate science through the Science-Based Targets Initiative (SBTi), an organization that helps companies determine their decarbonization strategies and reduce climate change. impact of change.

PPG's existing target is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions intensity by 15% by 2025 from 2017 levels and by 9.7% by 2021. The company has long reported the emissions intensity of its own operations and purchased electricity, steam, heating and cooling, and plans to announce its new 2030 target in the coming months. Going forward, PPG will prioritize the assessment of indirect emissions from sources outside the organization that PPG does not own or control, including raw materials, use of sold products, and product obsolescence (Scope 3 emissions).

“At this critical time for climate change, we are committed to further assessing and reducing emissions across the value chain,” said Diane Kappas, PPG’s vice president of global sustainability, “We are working across the organization to identify additional actions we can take to help Prevent the planet from warming by more than 1.5 degrees Celsius. Following our validation work and emissions analysis of the SBTi, we intend to announce new, aggressive 2030 goals that will define our decarbonization strategy to help protect the planet for present and future generations. "

Notably, on the same day, PPG also released its 2021 Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) report, which details PPG’s progress on sustainable innovation, ESG board governance, and efforts to achieve the 2025 Sustainable Development Goals and further actions in support of the client’s sustainability goals.

"Sustainability is at the heart of our goal to protect and beautify the world," said Kappas. "The hard work and dedication of our employees has helped us meet and exceed our near-term 2025 goals as we continue to find other ways to reduce emissions and Overall environmental impact. While we are proud of our achievements, we recognize that now is the time for further action. We look forward to publishing our science-based targets when we complete the validation process.”

PPG's latest report highlights the company's environmental actions and innovations around the world. Key highlights include: the introduction of PPG ergolux® powder coatings, which offer up to 85% first pass efficiency and the ability to reapply. PPG ergolxeeco contains up to 13% recycled polyethylene terephthalate (rPET). Since 2017, PPG has used more than 6 million pounds of rPET to produce coatings.

Meanwhile, PPG launched COMEX' TOP coatings, which have saved more than 270,000 tires to landfills since its launch in 2021 by incorporating recycled tires into the circular economy. The product is designed to be applied to roofs and provides thermal insulation, thereby reducing emissions through energy savings.

In addition, implementing zero-emission programs at architectural coatings plants in the U.S. and Canada has enabled PPG to recycle and reuse more than 1.7 million gallons of water during the past two years of production. PPG's installation of a combined heat and power (CHP) unit at its Cavano, Italy, plant has increased efficiency, equivalent to a reduction of approximately 1,100 metric tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) per year. Between 2015 and 2021, PPG invested more than $8.7 million in colorful community projects around the world.

In 2021, PPG reduced process waste, increased the use of renewable energy in its facilities, and increased sales of Sustainable Advantage products. Many bright spots have been created, such as 38% of sales from sustainable advantage products, with a target of 40% by 2025; 24% of electricity use from renewable energy, with a target of 25% by 2025; 40% of manufacturing and R&D facilities to achieve zero process waste to landfill, above the 35% target by 2025; and a 37% reduction in waste treatment intensity compared to the 2017 baseline, above the 25% target by 2025.

PPG's 2021 reporting disclosures are in compliance with Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) standards and Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) chemistry standards. The company also enhanced reporting on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) and reported qualitative climate-related risks in accordance with the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD).