In honor of Earth Day, we’re proud to announce we’re setting a science-based target (SBT) for emissions reduction across our value chain by 2030, and our operations will be carbon neutral by 2025.
Aligned with the Paris Climate Agreement, we have set targets that will help keep global warming below 2 degrees Celsius to avoid the worst effect of the climate crisis while establishing a pathway to net-zero emissions. Working with the Science-Based Targets initiative–the gold standard for goal setting–we’re joining over 1,000 companies reducing their emissions in line with climate science.
“We are thrilled to announce our new climate goals of carbon reduction throughout our supply chain. As we look to the future, we understand these commitments play an important role in the sustainability of our planet and future generations. We are Good by Design – striving for quality, safety, and sustainability throughout our business, and to improve our environmental performance every day. We are proud of our progress and look forward to continuing our work to create a more sustainable future for generations to come.”
Laura Alber, President and Chief Executive Officer
Our carbon reduction efforts are focused on three categories, or scopes, that create greenhouse gas emissions:
- Scope 1: Williams-Sonoma, Inc. operations – Emissions from burning fuel for vehicles, heating, and generators used in our operation.
- Scope 2: Williams-Sonoma, Inc. purchased energy – Emissions from the electricity we purchase to power our stores, distribution centers, and offices.
- Scope 3: Williams-Sonoma, Inc. value chain – Emissions generated from our full value chain outside our operations, from factories to homes.
We’re setting a Science-Based Target for emissions reduction by 2030. Measured against a 2019 baseline, our goal is:
- 50% absolute reduction in Scope 1 & 2 Emissions
- 14% absolute reduction in Scope 3 Emissions from materials, production, transportation, and product use
We’re also setting a goal to be 100% carbon neutral in Scope 1 & 2 Emissions by 2025.
Since 2011, we’ve reported on Scope 1 and 2 emissions and reduced our carbon and electricity year-over-year, even as our revenues have grown. To reduce Scope 1 and 2 emissions, we’ll focus on efficiency, retrofitting our systems and upgrading to more energy-efficient equipment across our offices, stores, and distribution centers, to reduce the energy used to power our operations. Additionally, we will install solar where appropriate, purchase green power when possible and support new renewable energy projects through power purchase agreements (PPAs).
Our value chain, Scope 3, accounts for over 98% of our total emissions. Working with Anthesis, we found that nearly 50% of our Scope 3 impact is in materials and production, with another 20% of emissions generated from products after they’re sold. To lower our Scope 3 emissions, we’re developing a preferred materials strategy and switching to lower-impact options like recycled polyester as well as working with key suppliers to set reduction and renewable strategies and roadmaps. We will also increase more efficient delivery for direct-to-consumer sales, ensuring customers receive our product in the lowest-impact way.
Learn more about our carbon reduction commitments and strategy, and we will continue to share our progress in our annual Corporate Responsibility Scorecard.