We spoke to Lea Jochheim, Climate Strategy Manager at Vetter about the importance of science-based targets as well as corporate social responsibility.
Who or what is SBTi, and why are science-based targets relevant?
Lea: The SBTi is a corporate climate action organisation recognised worldwide that empowers companies and financial institutions to set emissions reduction targets aligned with international climate goals, such as those set out in the 2015 Paris Agreement. Its mission is to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
Science-based targets set a framework in which companies cannot choose their climate targets arbitrarily, but must follow strict, science-backed guidelines recognised by institutions such as the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).
This approach brings structure and credibility to corporate climate strategies, helping businesses to stay on course towards the overall goal of becoming greenhouse gas neutral.
Why was it important for Vetter to become a SBTi member and are the other members known?
Effective climate management is no longer optional – it’s a business imperative.
Lea Jochheim, Climate Strategy Manager
Regulatory frameworks such as the EU Corporate Social Responsibility Reporting Directive (CSRD) are becoming more stringent, requiring companies to disclose sustainability metrics in a standardised format. At the same time, industry partners and customers are demanding greater efforts.
For Vetter, joining the SBTi was a strategic move to align our climate strategy with internationally recognised standards. As a family-owned company, we also hold ourselves to high standards and consider the long-term impact on future generations.
SBTi membership is cross-industry and transparent. The full list is publicly available on the organisation’s website. Many of our customers have already committed to or validated their emissions targets, as have our competitors.
What does SBTi validation actually involve?
Lea: After committing to the SBTi goals and signing a declaration of intent in 2023, Vetter had two years to have its targets validate. We have now validated our near-term targets, which span a 10-year period.
The validation process was rigorous. An SBTi analyst reviewed our entire calculation, including individual emission categories and methodologies, as well as organisational boundaries. The validation confirmed that our approach, based on the Greenhouse Gas Protocol, is sound. This lends credibility to our targets, which we have mad as achievable as possible. However, it also gives us internal confidence that we are on the right path.
What targets has Vetter committed to exactly?
Lea: We aim to reduce our Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 58.8% by 2034, with 2021 acting as our baseline. While this figure may seem “oddly specific”, it is grounded in science and externally validated.
As Scope 1 & 2 emissions are within our direct control, we can take decisive action. With our solid foundation, we can plan targeted measures, track processes, and identify areas for improvement and optimization.
Scope 3 emissions, on the other hand, involve our entire supply chain and are more complex. But while we can't control those directly, we can influence our suppliers' actions to some degree. That’s why we have set a target that, by 2029, 80% of our suppliers (by procurement spend) to have science-based targets in place.
What measures are being taken to meet these targets?
Lea: Even before joining SBTi, we had already implemented many initiatives. As a pharmaceutical service provider, we have high energy needs due to our sterile cleanroom operations and temperature-controlled storage.
We are phasing out fossil fuels and ramping up energy efficiency. This involves replacing outdated systems and investing in energy-efficient alternatives. We are also considering options such as electrification and the use of renewable energy sources like photovoltaics or green hydrogen.
However, our current growth means that our energy consumption will increase. Although we have installed solar panels and other alternative energy sources, space and structural constraints limit our capabilities. Ultimately, we will always have to rely on external energy suppliers.
As full energy autonomy is not feasible, but long-term planning certainly is. This is why we are exploring further option like direct contracts with regional renewable energy providers, which would allow for traceability and transparency, as well as a more sustainable energy mix.
What’s next for Vetter in climate management?
Lea: With our validated targets now in place, our focus is on execution. The next steps involve continuous improvement, reporting and exploring further energy alternatives.
SBTI is now one of our most significant commitments, acting as both a guide and a checkpoint. However, it is not the only one. We also participate in initiatives such as EcoVadis and the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) questionnaire, which we complete annually.
In today's world, companies must evolve and stay competitive and compliant. The global market is shifting, and rising CO₂ taxes mean that fossil fuels are becoming increasingly expensive. This alone makes transitioning to more sustainability a smart business move.
Looking ahead, our long-term goal remains clear: to achieve net zero emissions by 2050. Although this target has not yet been validated, it is a key item on our agenda.
Want to learn more about our sustainability measures?
Sustainability Report 2024
In our latest Sustainability Report for 2024, we take a transparent and detailed look at the measures and initiatives that we as a company are taking strategically to counteract climate change, protect the environment, uphold human rights and act in a socially sustainable manner.