Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) validates Vitalograph’s near-term GHG reduction targets
In May 2025, the SBTi approved Vitalograph UK Limited’s 2030 science-based greenhouse gas emissions reductions targets. The company’s scope 1 and 2 target ambition is a testament of its drive to act swiftly on the climate emergency and supports the goal to limit planetary warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels (Paris Aligned).
SBTi target validation is a great recognition of Vitalograph’s efforts to understand and reduce its carbon impact, requiring input from many functions in the business. It will allow us to move forward with confidence that our planned actions will mean we are effectively playing our part in the pan-industry international efforts that are needed to limit planetary warming." Helen Venn, Vitalograph Chief Science and Strategy Officer.
The company-wide commitments are:
to reduce absolute scope 1 GHG (greenhouse gas) emissions by 46% by 2030 from a 2023 base year.
to increase active annual sourcing of renewable electricity from 38% in 2023 to 100% by 2030 (scope 2).
to reduce scope 3 emissions 51.6% per GBP value added by 2030 from a 2023 base year.
Science-based targets are pivotal to Vitalograph's decarbonisation strategy as it continues to adopt best-practices. To help meet its commitments, Vitalograph has implemented key improvements projects and is working on fostering further initiatives. Examples include reshoring, installing solar panels and EV charging stations, as well as waste and energy reduction measures. Vitalograph is also engaging with its supply chain partners to address scope 3 emissions, as industry-wide collaboration is critical to accelerate and scale up progress.
Ensuring that operations are conducted in a transparent and responsible way is of foremost importance. The organisation has therefore committed to report annually our GHG inventory and target progress in the Sustainability page of the company website, where the latest Sustainability Report can be found.
“Moving forward we will work with our supply chain to reduce overall shipping distances through near-shoring and provide product information that supports our customers to transition to eco versions of consumables wherever possible. Within our own operations we have just installed solar panels in Ennis with other sites to follow over the next couple of years among a raft of other initiatives and small changes, working with our Sustainability Champions, that will cumulatively increase awareness and reduce our organisational impact.” commented Helen Venn, Vitalograph Chief Science and Strategy Officer.
About the SBTi
The Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) is a collaboration between its founding partners, CDP, the United Nations Global Compact, World Resources Institute and the World Wide Fund for Nature, and We Mean Business Coalition. It is a corporate climate action organisation that enables companies worldwide to play their part in combating the climate crisis. SBTi defines and promotes best practice in emissions reductions and net-zero targets in line with climate science. It develops standards, tools and guidance to enable companies to set science-based targets in line with the latest climate science.
Targets are considered ‘science-based’ if they are in line with what the latest climate science deems necessary to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement – limiting global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.
Scope 1 GHG emissions refer to emissions under direct control of the company such as emissions from non-renewable energy sources like gas and coal, emissions from the company’s vehicle fleet and the emissions created during the manufacturing process.
Scope 2 GHG emissions are indirect GHG emissions associated with the purchase of electricity, steam, heat or cooling and are a result of the organisation’s energy use.
Scope 3 GHG emissions cover upstream and downstream activities not directly controlled by the company but relate to how the company does business. For instance, upstream activities can include purchase goods and services, waste generation and employee travel. Downstream activities can include transportation and logistics, processing of sold produce and franchises.
