The production and use of energy today accounts for around 73% of global carbon emissions. According to scientists, it is critical to stop global warming at 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels by 2050 to
avoid catastrophic and irreversible climate effects.
Ørsted is decarbonising its energy generation much faster than science requires from the energy sector. We have reduced carbon emissions by 86% since 2006 and are on track to be carbon neutral in energy generation and operations by 2025.
The SBTi in October 2020
announced that more than 1,000 companies have united behind the science on climate change to set targets to reduce carbon emissions. Ørsted is one of only two electric utilities to have their target officially approved as aligned with a carbon reduction pathway needed to keep global warming below 1.5°C, as compared with pre-industrial levels.
“Companies will have to cut carbon emissions at unprecedented pace and scale to help the world halve emissions by the end of this decade,” says Rasmus Skov, Head of Sustainability at Ørsted. “Ørsted was among the first energy companies to set a science-based target for carbon reduction, which has helped inspire and measure our transformation from a fossil-fuel based energy company to a global renewable energy company. The SBTi’s approval of our updated targets as being aligned with the 1.5°C pathway is a powerful recognition of our sustainability approach and solutions to tackle climate change.”