SOUTHFIELD—Officials at Lear Corp. (NYSE: LEA), the Southfield-based manufacturer of automotive seating and electronics systems, announced an expansion of its sustainability efforts, with the goal of using 100 percent renewable energy by 2030 and achieving zero net carbon emissions by 2050.
The timeframes align with the U.N. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change to limit global warming, based on 2019 data.
“Setting the goal for Lear to achieve net zero emissions by 2050 is a significant next step that builds on actions already underway at our company,” said Ray Scott, Lear president and CEO. “We believe designing and manufacturing products with world-class innovation and quality for our customers is compatible with protecting the environment. These efforts go hand in hand.”
To attain net zero emissions by 2050, Lear will increase renewable energy use, improve energy efficiency, expand engineering efforts for vehicle electrification and lighter weight products, and raise sustainability requirements for its suppliers. Lear is committing to these actions with an understanding of the potential challenges that are ahead, including the availability of renewable energy, changing directives from local governments, unpredictable financial markets, and long-term support from consumers for zero- or low-emission solutions.
“To achieve these goals, we will partner with our customers, suppliers and policymakers to focus on further advancing technologies that reduce carbon emissions,” Scott said. “We will also encourage our employees to contribute to creating a cleaner environment, not only while they are at work, but while they are at home, too.”
The goals to reduce Lear’s carbon footprint are just one aspect of the company’s overall environmental, social and governance (ESG) efforts, as will be highlighted in its upcoming corporate sustainability report. Other highlights include new zero deforestation and human rights policies.
More at www.lear.com.