Brambles’ story of action
This case study was correct at the time of publication in 2018. It should be read with an awareness that the facts may have changed
A growing number of companies are going all in for halving emissions by 2030. The We Mean Business Coalition spoke to Australian freight company Brambles to find out how they are taking climate action.
Brambles helps producers and manufacturers worldwide deliver life’s daily essentials in a more sustainable and efficient way. Through the CHEP brand we are delivering the world’s largest pool of reusable pallets and containers.
In an increasingly resource and climate-conscious world, low-carbon, circular business models are enabling the world to trade more responsibly. We are working towards a 1.5ºC aligned science-based emission reduction target for our supply chain, which operates in more than 60 countries.
Since 2010, we have reduced our scope 1&2 emissions by 47%. This progress is primarily down to switching to renewable electricity and energy efficiency projects.
Our ambition is to pioneer regenerative supply chains. That means giving back to the planet and society more than we use, in order to help reduce the pressure on natural capital, including forests, and reducing the waste typical of conventional single-use, linear business models.
In 2020, Brambles achieved its goal to purchase 100% of its wood from certified sources in all the markets where we operate. Certified source come from forests that are managed under the globally recognised standards of the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC®) and the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC™).
Brambles’ vision for 2025 is to amplify our impact in sustainable forestry supply chains while expanding forest habitats to both increase carbon sequestration and support biodiversity. This means for every tree Brambles needs, two trees will be grown sustainably. This is our two-for-one commitment towards creating a positive impact. This objective places Brambles on a pathway towards regeneration and ultimately will help create more natural capital beyond the business’s requirement for raw materials. In addition, Brambles also aims to use 100% renewable electricity by 2025.
Moreover, we commit to send zero product materials to landfills for all Brambles and subcontracted locations and aspire to use 30% recycled or upcycled plastic waste by 2025, and 100% by 2030.
To help accelerate climate progress, Brambles is calling for policies to accelerate the decarbonization of the commercial vehicle sector. This would include incentives to increase R&D in the deployment of zero-emissions commercial vehicles, including the use of hydrogen and electrification. This also includes policies to schedule a phase out of fossil-fueled commercial vehicles, and public investment in the required network supporting the scaling up of these technologies, such as charging or refueling stations.
We also support the development of internationally recognized certification schemes for green or zero-emissions energy for hydrogen and other alternative energies.
We know we have to go further faster. We are all in for 2030.