Annabell Methler, Sustainability Manager Climate, explains how important it is for Eppendorf to take countermeasures by simulating CO₂ development: "If we continue as before, CO₂ emissions would increase significantly in the expected course of business." Nevertheless, CO₂ emissions cannot yet be completely avoided at status quo such as for example flights. Eppendorf will offset those remaining greenhouse gases by purchasing so-called CO₂ certificates from climate protection projects. "We will continue to look hard for ways to significantly reduce the remaining emissions as well," explains Annabell Methler.

Now we can start full speed ahead toward our goal of zero carbon emissions. We thank everyone in the Eppendorf Group who is working hard to achieve this goal together. Because only if everyone pulls together, the ambition of drastic cutting down the carbon emissions in our own operations by 2028 can become a reality.

The 2015 Paris Climate Agreement, agreed by over 190 countries, limits the global temperature increase to well below 2°C and to continue efforts to limit it to 1.5°C. Industry is one of the largest emissions sectors, accountable for more than 40% of global emissions in 2019. Therefore, industry and business need to contribute achieving the Paris reduction targets.

Eppendorf sets their goal: Cut our own emissions as a company down to zero by 2028 Eppendorf faces up to its responsibility and has clearly mapped the core issue of sustainability in its corporate strategy. To achieve this goal, the Sustainability & HSE team has developed a climate strategy. As part of the overarching Eppendorf sustainability strategy, this concept specifies concrete measures that significantly reduce CO₂ emissions. The team developed and coordinated all actions in interviews and workshops with experts and departments.

Scope 3 emissions (model II)

Scope 3 emissions contain the emissions of our suppliers as well as the usage of our final products in the market. The categories 3.1 (raw materials + services of suppliers) + 3.2 (purchased investment goods) + 3.3 (transportation of fuel and gas) + 3.4 (transportation of raw materials to factory) + 3.15 (investments (downstream)) were calculated “spend-based”. This means, the carbon emissions were calculated based on the monetary value of purchased goods or services by a database emission factor (e.g. kg CO₂e/ € of value). By this procedure, the supplier part was calculated based on reference data for materials.

Unlike upstream factors, the downstream factors of the categories 3.5 (waste) 3.6 (travel), 3.9 (shipment), 3.11 (usage sold units), 3.12 (sold units end of life) were calculated ”activity-based”. This approach gives us a more precise view of carbon emissions, helping you make informed decisions for a more sustainable future.

The relevant usage phase of our products is limited to electricity-consuming devices like centrifuges, ULT freezers, shakers, or incubators based on different factors:

• 10 years usage of instruments, 250 working days for standard devices, and 365 working days for 24/7 devices like incubators and ULT freezers
• Daily usage pattern of instruments is based on assumptions and calculations by lab-experienced people, supported by calculation methods of My Green Lab^® and their ACT^® label
• Power consumption per device is primarily based on multiple internal measurements as well as extrapolation within product groups (e.g. not all centrifuge subtypes were measured)

In 2023, the Scope 3 usage emissions reached approximately 510,000 t CO₂e. This amount represents about 95% of the total emissions of the Eppendorf Group. Of this, 35% comes from the use of our sold products (Scope 3.11) and represents the largest single value in the calculation. These 184,000 t CO₂e are based on a calculation taking into account the continent-specific sales distribution and by this continent specific power grid factors. Reducing these downstream Scope 3 emissions is a significant challenge. The power consumption of the related instruments has very limited saving potentials as heating, cooling, mixing, and spinning are physical processes which require energy. Optimization can be done on small scale but the vast majority of power consumption is set for these products.

It’s also important to note that we have no direct influence over how our products are used or which local power grids supply the energy. It is also important to note that we want to maintain the longevity and durability of our products and further expand and even improve them for an ecological perspective. This, in turn, would lead to a further increase in the emissions category 3.11.These choices are made by the users and the institutions where our products are installed.