Austria 
Belgium 
Canada 
Denmark 
Finland 
France 
Germany 
Italy 
Mexico 
Netherlands 
Norway 
Poland 
Spain 
Sweden 
United Kingdom 
USA 
Essity’s target is to achieve net zero emissions of greenhouse gases by 2050 and zero production waste by 2030. In 2018, our climate targets were approved by the Science Based Targets initiative for Scope 1, 2 and 3, and we raised our ambitions for Scope 1 and 2 in 2021. We take action throughout the entire value chain, from responsible procurement of raw materials to waste after use.
Sustainability targets
We have set ambitious targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions across the value chain, limit our burden on the environment and reduce our impact on biodiversity.
Sustainability Playing Field
In 2023, Essity introduced the “Sustainability Playing Field,” summarizing our social and environmental sustainability priorities. We focus on the social areas of hygiene and health, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), occupational health and safety, product safety, business ethics, human rights, and the environmental areas of emissions, forest and fiber, plastics, waste, and water. These are the most relevant topics for Essity regarding impact, and we have targets, roadmaps, and initiatives in place within all areas.
Sustainability targets and outcomes
Science-based climate targets
Target 2030²⁾:
–35%
Scope 1 and 2
Outcome 2025:
–27%
Scope 1 and 2
Reduction of absolute greenhouse gas emissions, Scope 1 and 2, and Scope 3
Essity’s climate-affecting emissions are divided into three different classes (Scope) depending on origin. Scope 1 and 2 are directly linked to Essity’s production. Scope 3 reports indirect emissions in the value chain.
2) Target 2030 (compared with 2016). Essity’s near-term Scope 3 science-based target applies to the most important emission categories: key purchased raw materials and branded packaging, incoming and outgoing transportation, waste from the Group’s own production and product waste after use.
–35%
Scope 3
–15%
Scope 3
Sustainable innovations
Target (annual):
>50%
Outcome 2025:
80%
Share that yielded social and/or environmental improvements
Our target for sustainable innovations is that at least 50% of Essity’s innovations will annually yield social and/or environmental improvements. Essity tracks the sales from launched innovations against both social and environmental improvement criteria. Innovations are classified as sustainable if meeting either one or both criteria.
Health and safety
Target 2025³⁾:
–75%
Outcome 2025:
–66%
Decrease in total recordable incident rate
Total recordable incident (TRI) include Lost time accidents (LTA), Restricted work cases (RWC), Medical treatment cases (MTC), Permanent disabilities (P) and Fatalities (F). All of Essity’s production facilities are conducting purposeful and systematic work with safety issues.
3) Target 2025 (compared with 2019).
3) Target 2025 (compared with 2019).
Gender distribution at management leve
Goal (annual):
40/60%
Outcome 2025:
36/64%
Gender distribution on all management levels is to be between 40 and 60% for each respective gender
Essity’s goal is that gender distribution at all management levels (Executive Management Team, senior management, middle management) is to be within the interval 40/60%, where the majority group based on gender is to constitute no more than 60%. The goal is reported at an aggregate outcome level for the three management levels. For the outcome in 2025, 36% were women and 64% were men.
Water
Target 2032⁴⁾:
–25%
Outcome 2025:
–12%
Reduction of freshwater intake at tissue sites in water-stressed regions
Essity’s target is to reduce freshwater intake by 25% at eight tissue paper facilities in water-stressed regions by 2032, using 2022 as the baseline. This addresses the water consumption at sites with the highest risk of water stress and focuses on reduction of water intake.
4) Target 2032 (compared with 2022).
4) Target 2032 (compared with 2022).
Fresh fiber
Target (annual):
100%
Outcome 2025:
99.7%
Share of FSCTM or PEFC-certified fresh fiber
Through certifications such as the Forest Stewardship Council™ (FSC™ C003255) and the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC/16-33-1406), Essity ensures sustainable fiber sourcing, thereby preventing deforestation and promoting biodiversity.
Production waste
Target 2030:
100%
Outcome 2025:
72%
Subject to material or energy recovery
Resource efficiency and the reduction of waste are important in Essity’s production facilities. The target is that all production waste will be subject to material and energy recovery by 2030, which reduces greenhouse gas emissions.
Packaging
Target 2025:
85%
Outcome 2025:
81%
Share of packaging manufactured from renewable and/or recycled material
Essity is striving for 100% recyclability and 85% renewable or recycled material in the company’s packaging. This target applies to both paper and plastic packaging for Essity’s brands.
Responsible sourcing
Target 2025:
95%
Outcome 2025:
95%
Share of Essity's total purchase cost from suppliers that comply with Essity’s Global Supplier Standard
Essity has a Global Supplier Standard to ensure responsible business operations and respect for human rights in the company’s supply chain.
Business ethics and Code of Conduct
Target (annual):
100%
Outcome 2025:
92%
Share of new employees who received training in the Code of Conduct
The Code of Conduct describes how employees are to act, how the company operates, stakeholder expectations of Essity and Essity’s commitment to human rights. All wholly owned subsidiaries are bound by the Code of Conduct.