Global healthcare group Fresenius announced today a series of new climate targets, including goals to achieve climate neutrality in operations by 2040 and to halve its Scope 1 and 2 CO2 emissions from 2020 levels by 2030. According to the company, 2020 emissions reached approximately 1.5 million metric tons.

Fresenius stated that its climate neutrality target is aligned with the Paris climate agreement’s scientifically-based goal to limit global warming to 1.5 C.

The company identified some of the key initiatives areas it will pursue in order to achieve its new goals, particularly targeting its global electricity consumption. Fresenius aims to enter power purchase agreements (PPAs) and invest in the expansion of renewable electricity generation, with a strong focus on North America and the EU.  To cover any residual emissions, the company will seek to use renewable Energy Attribute Certificates (EACs) in the first years of its program.

The company stated that these efforts will allow its private hospital operator, Fresenius Helios to fully meet its external power needs in Germany in the current fiscal year, and will help Fresenius Medical Care cover its entire electricity consumption in the U.S. and Canada and 80% of its electricity use in the EU by renewable sources by 2025.

Looking forward, Fresenius plans to continue investing in renewable electricity generation at its own sites and will review the extent to which greenhouse gas emissions are used as a criterion for future growth, acquisitions, investments, and management compensation. Additionally, Fresenius plans to further intensify its management of upstream and downstream supply chain emissions, and eventually include them in its climate target.  

Stephan Sturm, CEO of Fresenius, said:

“As a global healthcare group, Fresenius also bears the responsibility to act in the fight against climate change. The climate targets adopted by the Management Board reflect our determination and commitment to engage in the efforts to limit the global average temperature increase to 1.5°C. As a first step on our journey to net-zero emissions, we are increasing our use of renewable electricity.”