HP Inc recently announced some of the most aggressive and comprehensive climate goals in the technology industry. The commitments highlight the company’s progress to drive a net zero carbon, fully regenerative economy, reduce its overall environmental footprint, and strengthen its business for the long term to create the most sustainable portfolio of products and solutions in the industry.
The measures HP is driving that build on the strength of its complete list of 2025 goals are among the most comprehensive climate actions in the technology sector and align with relevant UN Sustainable Development Goals, it said.
“Climate change is a defining challenge of our generation that demands immediate action and investment,” said Enrique Lores, company President, and CEO. “Now is a time for bold moves and ambitious goals that will protect our planet and create new sources of innovation and growth across the global economy. By driving toward net-zero carbon emissions across our entire value chain by 2040, product circularity, and a positive forest framework, we will accelerate our progress and advance HP’s aspiration to become the world’s most sustainable and just technology company.”
Carbon emissions and circularity
To achieve these targets, the company will be carbon neutral in its operations by 2025 and reduce Scope 1, 2, and 3 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 50% on an absolute basis by 2030, compared to 2019. In addition, company commits to 75% of its total annual product and packaging content (by weight) from recycled and renewable materials and reused products and parts by 2030. These actions will help to position HP to reach net zero emissions across its value chain by 2040. In line with the company’s circularity ambitions, it’s operations will be zero waste in its managed facilities by 2025. HP’s customer support organization will also be carbon neutral across both company and partner-run operations by 2030.
The company will pursue and accelerate a range of steps, including enabling a circular economy by using more sustainable materials, such as recycled plastics and metals, and investing in forest restoration and protection. Company said it continues to innovate throughout its product portfolio and work with key partners to achieve circularity. It is a member of NextWave Plastics, collaborating across industries to create the first global network of ocean-bound plastic supply chains. It is also a member of the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s Network and the Circulytics measurement tool.
Reducing Carbon in HP Supplies
HP will transform its print business from a transactional model to a services model while actively reducing the carbon footprint of its company and its products. In addition, to accelerate a transition to a net zero value chain, company commits to carbon neutrality for its supply business by 2030.
The company will start transitioning supplies to be carbon neutral by launching the HP Instant Ink with Planet Partners pilot, leveraging recycling and new renewal capabilities to extend the life of Original HP Supplies. This pilot will help customers decrease virgin plastic used and diminish waste, including ocean-bound plastics, on the pathway to circularity.
Launching in Germany in May 2021, HP Instant Ink with Planet Partners will allow its Instant Ink subscribers to opt-in to receive renewed cartridges. The end-to-end use of HP technology and engineering is what makes this pilot unique. The consistent reliability and outstanding print quality of Original HP Supplies mean fewer reprints and less waste.
Forest Protection and Restoration
The company also focuses on nature-based solutions with global partners, including World Wildlife Fund (WWF), Arbor Day Foundation, and its own Sustainable Forests Collaborative. As a result, HP is one of the few companies globally to achieve a zero deforestation goal for sourcing its paper and packaging.
Now going beyond the company’s own responsible sourcing of HP brand papers, by 2030, the company will scale up investment in forest restoration, protection, and other initiatives to counteract deforestation for non-HP paper used in HP products and print services. This is the only technology company to set a goal to address deforestation that goes beyond its own fiber sourcing to include the use of its products and services.
