David Brown Santasalo's Science-Based Targets are validated by the SBTi!

We are delighted to share, the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) has validated David Brown Santasalo’s (DBS) scope 1 and 2 target ambitions, in alignment with the 1.5C trajectory! 

David Brown Santasalo’s SBTi commitments include reducing absolute scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions by 53.9% by 2032 from a 2021 base year. Additionally, 67% of DBS suppliers by emissions covering purchased goods and services will have science-based targets by 2027. David Brown Santasalo further commits that 70% of our customers by emissions covering use of sold products, will have science based targets by 2027. 

As a global business we recognise the impact of our operations on climate change, and the efforts we must make to limit them. Since 2018 DBS has tracked CO2e emissions from energy, fuel and business travel, increasing our own awareness, while aiding our future efforts in reducing these emissions.

Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) Target Validation
In 2021, DBS became one of the first industrial gearbox manufacturers to sign up to the Science Based Targets initiative. This initiative defined a pathway for corporate organisations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, in line with the latest climate science. DBS has set ambitious targets for Scope 1 and 2 emissions, aiming to reduce Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions by 53.9% by 2032 (from a 2021 base year).

Our SBTi targets were submitted for official evaluation by the SBTi Validation Team and following a rigorous review against the SBTi science-based criteria, DBS are delighted that as of April 2024 we met all required criteria and our ambitious targets have been approved! 

Graph shows: Scope 1 & 2 Overview

Achievements to date
DBS has made good progress during the time in which our targets were in the validation process, with high staff engagement, dedicated technical support and ever growing energy management training. We acknowledge the challenges associated with our targets, yet as a unified business, we are steadfastly committed to achieving them.  

We reduced CO2e emissions from Scope 1 and 2 by 20% between 2021-2022 and continued to reduce emissions over 2023. Implementation of global energy saving and carbon reduction policies have yielded impressive results, with initiatives across all of our locations. These have included renewable energy purchasing, LED lighting, solar panels, electric vehicles and energy conservation programs. For example:

• The use of electric vehicles in Sweden has reduced emissions from vehicles by 67% from 2020 to 2022.
• In Australia we have reduced emissions from electricity use by over 40% from 2020 to 2022, and they have just received the first hybrid company vehicles.
• Between 2021 and 2022 the UK reduced Scope 1 gas use by 68%.
• In 2022, we completed the construction of a new purpose-built, energy and carbon efficient facility in Jyväskylä, Finland, one of our key manufacturing centres. The new facility is run on hydro-power saving around 600t of CO2e annually compared to the old site, which is approximately 10% of our Scope 2 emissions globally! Consequently, over the course of 2023 we have seen a huge decline in our emissions from Finland.
• In 2022, we completed a project for defining and calculating the Carbon Footprint of Products (CFP). Many of these components are now being manufactured in-house at our new, energy efficient factory, significantly reducing our associated Scope 1 and 2 emissions. For the remainder, we will be working alongside our suppliers in reducing these emissions, annually reporting our progress to ensure change. 
• In late 2023, our Indian business completed the installation of solar panels with an estimated reduction in emissions of around 100t CO2e per annum. 
• In December 2023, we completed construction of a new facility in Changshu, China which has solar power installed, and we are working on establishing the likely emission reductions from this.

As always, DBS is committed to providing efficient, effective and long-lasting resilient products to our customers. Our innovative research continues to deliver results and we will be evaluating the carbon reduction benefits of new approaches to the lifecycle of our products and services. We are extremely proud to have had our science-based targets approved, and look forward to reaching, if not surpassing, these ambitious carbon reduction targets.