Sustainability targets

We turn ambition into measurable progress through sustainability targets that help create value for people, society, and the environment. They reflect our role as a hygiene and health company and guide how we create value across the value chain, from responsible sourcing and production to product use and end of life. 

Sustainability Playing Field Large

The Sustainability Playing Field above highlights the areas where Essity can create the greatest value for people, society, the environment, and our business. It helps guide decision-making across the organization by identifying our most significant sustainability priorities and focusing efforts where we can make the biggest difference. 

The Playing Field provides a framework for setting ambitions, targets, and actions across our focus areas. These priorities are embedded in our strategy and day-to-day operations, helping us manage risks, capture opportunities, drive innovation, and meet stakeholder expectations. 

To support accountability and transparency, we regularly monitor performance against our targets and report progress publicly. This enables us to measure the effectiveness of our actions, learn from experience, and continuously improve our contribution to a more sustainable and resilient future.

Progress at a glance

Across our sustainability priorities, we continue to make measurable progress and create value through innovation, responsible business practices, and collaboration across our value chain. 

Selected highlights from 2025 include:

Sustainability Earth

27%

Reduction in Scope 1 and 2 emissions

Idea Lightbulb

80%

Innovations delivered social and/or environmental improvements

Goals Icon

95%

Supplier spend covered by suppliers meeting our Global Supplier Standard

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99.7%

FSC™ or PEFC-certified fresh fiber

Our targets and performance in 2025

Climate emissions

Target 2030:

-35%

Scope 1 and 2

Outcome 2025:

-27%

Scope 1 and 2

Target 2030:

–35%

Scope 3

Outcome 2025:

–15%

Scope 3

Essity's science-based climate targets cover Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions and support our pathway toward net zero emissions by 2050. Targets are set to -35% for Scope 1 and 2 and for Scope 3 in 2030, in comparison to baseline 2016. Scope 3 targets apply to purchased raw materials, branded packaging, transportation and waste from products after use.

Sustainable innovations

Target (annual):

>50%

Outcome 2025:

80%

We measure the share of launched innovations that annually deliver social and/or environmental improvements, helping create value for people while reducing environmental impact.

Health and safety

Target 2025:

–75%

Outcome 2025:

–66%

Decrease in total recordable incident rate.
We work systematically to reduce workplace incidents and strengthen a culture of safety across our operations. Our target was set for 2025 and measured against a 2019 baseline.

Gender distribution at management level

Goal (annual):

40/60%

Outcome 2025:

36/64%

We work to achieve balanced representation across management levels (Executive Management Team, senior management, middle management), recognizing that diverse leadership strengthens perspectives, decision-making and inclusion throughout Essity.

Water

Target 2032:

–25%

Outcome 2025:

–12%

Reduction of freshwater intake at tissue sites in water-stressed regions.
By reducing freshwater consumption in areas facing the greatest water challenges, we help improve resource efficiency and support responsible water stewardship. The water target is measured against a 2022 baseline and applies to selected tissue sites in water-stressed regions.

Fresh fiber

Target (annual):

100%

Outcome 2025:

99.7%

FSC™ or PEFC-certified fresh fiber.
Certification supports responsible forest management, biodiversity protection and sustainable sourcing practices.

Production waste

Target 2030:

100%

Outcome 2025:

72%

Share of production waste subject to material or energy recovery.
We work to improve resource efficiency by reducing waste and increasing recovery of materials and energy from our operations.

Packaging

Target 2025:

85%

Outcome 2025:

81%

Share of packaging manufactured from renewable and/or recycled material.
Our ambition is to make all packaging recyclable while increasing the share of renewable and recycled materials. By reducing virgin material use and improving circularity, we help keep valuable resources in use and reduce packaging's environmental impact.

Responsible sourcing

Target 2025:

95%

Outcome 2025:

95%

Supplier spend covered by suppliers meeting Essity's Global Supplier Standard.
Our Global Supplier Standard supports responsible business practices, respect for human rights and environmental responsibility across our supply chain. Link to Global Supplier Standard

Business ethics and Code of Conduct

Target (annual):

100%

Outcome 2025:

92%

New employees receiving training in the Code of Conduct.
Our Code of Conduct guides how we operate, make decisions and uphold our commitments to integrity, ethics and human rights. Link to Global Supplier Standard