Goodyear boards zero-2050 bus, with focus on verification

Akron, Ohio - Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co, is the latest major tire maker to commit to achieving net-zero, value-chain greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050, with stepping-stone targets for 2030.

Progress towards meeting these goals is to be tracked from next year via independent validation under the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) by 2030.

Using 2019 as a base year, Goodyear aims to cut its 'scope 1' and 'scope 2' emissions by 46% by 2030 and relevant 'scope 3' emissions by 28% over the same timeframe.
 
In drawing up its latest climate goals, Goodyear said it carried out a full carbon-inventory assessment, which included collecting data from its operations and quantifying GHG emissions throughout its value chain. 

The net-zero goal and alignment to SBTi "reflect our commitment to sustainability and reducing our carbon footprint," said Richard Kramer, Goodyear's chairman, CEO and president, in a 17 Dec announcement.  

Goodyear, he stated, is committed to implementing "transformative changes that will help protect our planet for future generations and build a more sustainable business for all of our stakeholders."
 
The strategy to achieve these targets includes a multiple-phase plan to procure 100% renewable energy in its facilities across Europe, Middle East and Africa by the end of 2022.

Goodyear will also focus on the role of its rubber compounding, tire construction and manufacturing technologies in reducing emissions through lower rolling-resistance and reduced tire weight.

This will include increased use of alternative raw materials towards reducing the company's consumption of petroleum-based feedstock and reducing carbon footprint. 

"This supports Goodyear's goal to create a 100% sustainable-material and maintenance-free tire by 2030," the Akron-based manufacturer further stated.

Goodyear also plans disclosures aligned with the 'task force on climate-related financial disclosures' framework, reinforcing its existing 'global reporting initiative (GRI) for sustainability.