Owen Mumford, a designer and manufacturer of medical devices, has announced its emissions reduction targets through the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). The company has set a target to achieve net zero by 2045 (to mirror the UK NHS target) in alignment with the recommendations of the 2015 Paris Agreement.
Mark Weeks
Using science-based targets, companies can determine how much and how quickly they need to reduce their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to prevent the worst effects of climate change. The Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) sets science-based emissions reduction targets in line with climate science, supporting companies as they mobilise climate action efforts in the private sector. Over 2,000 companies worldwide have already set their targets.
As part of its sustainability action plan, Owen Mumford has joined the Business Ambition for 1.5°c commitment. Launched in 2019, the initiative asks members to pledge to achieve net zero emissions by the latest 2050 following the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) warning that an increase of 1.5°c in global temperature will have catastrophic effects.
By joining the commitment, Owen Mumford also joins the Race to Zero movement, a collaborative effort of leaders across the globe supporting efforts to achieve zero carbon recovery. Owen Mumford recently became one of the first medical device manufacturers in the world to achieve B Corp certification following the establishment of its sustainability programme in 2014 and formal commitment to the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). To formalise the pledge to reduce the environmental impact of its operations, Owen Mumford has now set a science-based target, with its base year as 2015. The company will establish a pathway in 2022, including milestones to mark the achievement of goals and measure its success. The focus will be on Scope 3 emissions, which covers factors such as purchased goods and services, business travel and waste disposal.
Jarl Severn, CEO at Owen Mumford said: “Owen Mumford has been an innovator of medical devices for decades, and we understand the importance of leading by example when it comes to the environment and our impact as a business. Setting a science-based target with the SBTi will hold us accountable and help us to reach our net zero target for 2045. We hope this commitment will inspire other businesses to implement their own sustainability targets and work towards the goal of a carbon neutral future.”
