
Sustainability Targets
In 2018, our Executive Committee worked with the Cambridge Institute of Sustainability Leadership (CISL) to develop our sustainability strategy to 2030, ensuring alignment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
As part of our Commitment to being Climate, Land and People Positive we have developed targets linked to the UN SDGs. These stretching targets are driving our current and future sustainability programme.
Croda 2021 non-financial data performance summary
Sustainability goals and targets
Climate Positive by 2030
2021 Climate Positive update
Objectives | Targets | Milestones | 2021 Progress |
Reducing Emissions: We will achieve our Science-Based Targets (SBTs) by reducing our emissions in line with limiting the global temperature rise to 1.5ºC above pre-industrial levels, maximising the use of renewable energy in our operations. SDGs: 7.2, 9.4. 13.2 |
By 2030, we will have achieved our SBTs, in line with limiting global warming to 1.5ºC. Thereafter, by 2050 we will be a net zero organisation. |
A reduction of 25% in 2018 absolute scope 1 and 2 emissions by the end of 2024. All Croda locations to have a decarbonisation roadmap by the end of 2022. |
Absolute scope 1 and 2 emissions have reduced 13.4% since 2018, despite a 5.8% increase in output volume, as we decouple business growth from environmental impact. Non-manufacturing sites were engaged in roadmap setting with the support of regional champions, with 25% completed. |
Carbon Cover: We will enable the transition to a low carbon economy. We will be Climate Positive, working closely with our customers to develop products that offer carbon-saving benefits in use. SDGs: 7.2, 7.3, 23.2 |
By 2030, use of our products will avoid four times the carbon emissions associated with our business - our 4:1 carbon cover. |
Two million tonnes of CO2 emissions savings delivered through use of our products by the end of 2024. 100% of our product portfolio evaluated for downstream scope 3 impact by the end of 2024. |
917,000 tonnes CO2e were avoided through the use of ingredients attached to verified case studies, giving a carbon cover ratio of 0.8:1. |
Sustainable Innovation: We will accelerate the transition to bio-based products, moving away from fossil/petrochemical feedstocks. SDGs: 12.2 |
By 2030, more than 75% of our organic raw materials by weight will be bio-based, absorbing carbon from the atmosphere as they grow. |
71% (rolling three-year average) of our organic raw materials to be bio-based by the end of 2024. |
Our use of bio-based organic raw materials increased by Increased by two percentage points from 67% to 69% A multidisciplinary working group identified all current petrochemical-based raw materials that could be replaced with bio-based alternatives. |
Land Positive by 2030
2021 Land Positive update
Objectives | Targets | Milestones | 2021 Progress |
Land use: We will save more land than we use. We will increase agricultural land use efficiency, protect biodiversity and improve food security by sourcing sustainably and inspiring innovation in our agrochemical businesses. SDGs: 2.3, 2.4, 12.2, 15.2, 15.3 |
Throughout this decade, the land saved through the application of our crop protection and seed technologies will exceed any increase in land used to grow our raw materials by at least a factor of two, and by 2030 we will save 200,000 hectares per year more than in 2019. |
By the end of 2024, the land area saved through use of our technologies will be at least 80,000 hectares per year more than in 2019. |
We continue to work with our key suppliers to gather details of improvements in yield, GHG data, soil health, water consumption and protection of biodiversity. We have validated our land saving data for our adjuvant technologies through extensive field trials with a key customer in Brazil. We saved 33,734 hectares per year more than our 2019 baseline year and remain on track to hit our2024 intermediate milestone and 2030 target |
Crop Science Innovation: We will invest in innovation projects and partnerships to support crop and seed enhancement in mitigating the impact of a changing climate and land degradation. SDGs: 13.2, 15.2, 15.3 |
Through to 2030 we will bring an average of two crop technological breakthroughs to market each year that are aligned with our SBTs and which help our customers to mitigate the impact of climate change and land degradation. |
By the end of 2024, we will have brought 10 qualifying technological breakthroughs to market. |
We define a technological breakthrough as a new technology with a measurable significant effect and either a more sustainable route to an existing performance effect, or a new performance effect from an existing technology platform that is in line with our SDG goals We launched a second microplastic-free seed coating technology, extending our impact into key field crop markets |
People Positive by 2030
2021 People Positive update
Objectives | Targets | Milestones | 2021 Progress |
Health & Wellbeing: We will use our smart science to promote healthy lives and wellbeing through the development and application of our ingredients and technologies. SDGs: 3.3, 3.4 |
By 2030, we will contribute to the successful development and commercialisation of 25% of WHO-listed pipeline vaccines. |
By the end of 2024 our technology will be part of at least 10 clinical phase III trials across at least 25% of the WHO-listed pipeline vaccines. |
Developed a more detailed understanding of the projects in which our technologies are being used to develop WHO-listed pipeline vaccines. Croda technology at various stages of evaluation in 15 out of the 24 pipeline vaccines, across 79 projects (2020: 32 projects) First novel sunscreen ingredients launched from Entekno partnership 55 million people protected annually through the use of Croda sun protection ingredients |
Gender Balance: We will achieve gender balance in our business by focusing on recruitment and development opportunities to increase the number of women in leadership positions. SDGs: 5.6 |
By 2030, we will achieve gender balance across the leadership roles in our organisation. |
We are rolling out gender-balanced shortlisting recruitment across Croda, with a target of having 80% of shortlists gender balanced by the end of 2023. |
Further progress made in reaching our gender balance target with 36% of leadership roles now occupied by women (2020: 31%) Gender balance target incorporated for the first time in our long-term incentive plan for the most senior leaders (PSP) |
Improving More Lives: We will promote our smart science and help improve more lives using our technologies within relevant communities, where our science can make a positive difference. We aim to create STEM educational opportunities and provide basic necessities through the use and application of our ingredients. SDGs: All |
We will establish and fund a Croda Foundation to help improve one million lives in relevant communities. |
Intermediate milestones for the Croda Foundation to be set. |
First three projects approved for funding by the Croda Foundation Board of Trustees 2m additional restricted grant provided from Croda to the Foundation, to be invested in improving health infrastructure in regions with the greatest need. Charity of the Year competition launched, and the British Heart Foundation became the first recipient of the £25,000 prize |
Fundamentals by 2030
2021 Fundamentals update
Objectives | Targets | Milestones | 2021 Progress |
Health, Safety & Wellbeing: SDGs: 3.4, 3.9, 8.8 |
OSHA Total Recordable Injury Rate in the top 10% for the chemical industry. |
Achieve OSHA Total Recordable Injury Rate of 0.3 by the end of 2024. |
OSHA Total Recordable Injury Rate of 0.73* Human Performance Program developed, to be rolled out in 2022 Leading with Empathy training for all managers to support improved wellbeing Mind UK Mental Wellbeing eLearning module for employees, now completed by 1900+ employees |
Process Safety: SDGs: 3.9, 8.8 |
Zero significant process safety incidents per year. |
Conduct an independent peer review of our Process Risk Reviews (PRR) for high-hazard processes by the end of 2023. |
22 (out of 40) Process Risk Reviews (PRRs) have been peer reviewed Now report process safety incidents against SASB Process Safety Indicators |
Environmental Stewardship: SDGs: 6.3, 6.4, 12.5 |
Reduce our water use impact by 50% from our 2018 baseline. |
Develop and implement a methodology for water impact assessment by the end of 2021 Reduce our water use impact by 25% from 2018 baseline by the end of 2024. Eliminate process waste to landfill across our operations by the end of 2024. |
Avanti, Alabaster, US received a notice of violation for operating without an appropriate permit for its emissions to air. The site has since resubmitted its application as part of its expansion project approval is expected in the first half of 2022 Water Impact methodology refined and trialled with six manufacturing sites Manufacturing site at Shiga, Japan reduced water withdrawal by 75% following investments to use recycled water Process waste to landfill reduced by 22% from 2018 baseline |
Fair Income: SDGs: 8.5 |
Everyone working at Croda locations, including temporary and permanent employees, and all contractors will receive a living wage that is monitored and reviewed annually. |
All employees temporary and permanent will be paid a living wage by the end of 2022. All regularly employed contractors will be paid a living wage by end of 2024. |
All employees, temporary and permanent, are paid a living wage at the end of 2021, according to Fair Wage Network criteria, one year ahead of target |
Sustainable Sourcing and Partnerships: SDGs: 12.6, 12.7, 17 |
Ensure all key suppliers are responding to EcoVadis and engaging with us to improve practices. |
By the end of 2024, all key suppliers will be required to achieve a minimum of the average score from EcoVadis (or equivalent) or will have an action plan with timelines to close gaps. By the end of 2024, key suppliers representing at least 50% of our raw material volumes will be required to sign up publicly to SBTi or equivalent carbon reduction targets. By the end of 2024, suppliers of crop-based raw materials will be required to provide supply chain transparency in a fully traceable and certified sustainable manner. |
Suppliers representing 65% of our spend 85% of our palm derivative purchases in 94% of purchase volumes in 2020 were We joined Together for Sustainability to |
Knowledge Management: SDGs: 4.3 |
Target to be finalised |
100% of employees will receive a minimum of one week’s training per year by the end of 2025. |
Partnered with Ashridge Hult to launch new Leadership Development Program Ambitious 2030 target still in development |
Quality Assurance: SDGs: 12.2, 12.5 |
Achieve a 99.5% Right First Time (RFT) rate. |
Achieve a 99.0% RFT rate by the end of 2024. |
Ended 2021 ahead of target to meet our Proactive roadmap developed to ensure |
Product Stewardship: SDGs: 3.9, 12.2, 14.1 |
Full life cycle assessments (LCAs) for our top 100 ingredients. |
Finalise our LCA methodology with external input and verification by the end of 2021. Complete 40 LCAs by the end of 2024. |
LCA methodology finalised, compliant with ISO 14040, supported and verified by First full LCA completed for Coltide |
Responsible Business: SDGs: All |
Achieve outstanding CSR performance ratings across all themes within the EcoVadis assessment. |
Achieve an EcoVadis score of at least 85 by end 2023. |
Awarded Business of the Year at the World Sustainability Awards |
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Our strategy
Our focus on innovation, sustainability and growth ensures that Croda smart science helps our customers meet their own sustainability targets as well as consumer demands.
Find out moreOur Commitment
We will be the most sustainable supplier of innovative ingredients, our action plan for the decade is to be Climate, Land and People Positive by 2030.
Find out moreOur business model
Our business model is designed to create long-term, sustainable value.
Find out more