Sustainability Report 2023-24 - Flipbook - Page 13
Climate and energy
Energy savings in the production
Gabriel is making a targeted effort to reduce the climate
footprint by increasing production efficiency, reducing energy consumption and implementing energy-saving solutions in
the production process. Gabriel works closely with suppliers and customers to jointly optimise energy use as much
as possible.
Electricity from renewable sources
The Gabriel Group only uses electricity generated by its
own solar panels and purchased from renewable sources.
By using electricity from natural, renewable sources only,
Gabriel’s impact directly caused by its electricity consumption is climate-neutral.
Solar panels are installed locally on the roof of Gabriel’s head
office in Aalborg, Denmark and the weaving mill Gabriel Textiles in Vilkaviškis, Lithuania and on the roof of and land near
the dyehouse Scandye in Telšiai, Lithuania. In 2023/24, the
Group’s own solar panels directly covered 31% of the electricity consumption at the head office, 34% of the weaving
mill’s consumption and 21% of the dyehouse’s consumption.
In 2023/24, the Gabriel Group’s and its part-owned dyehouse’s
solar panels generated a total of 1,287 MWH, an increase of
57% compared to the previous year.
The origin of the supplementary electricity purchased is
verified through certificates of origin, which document that
the electricity comes from renewable sources. Wind and solar
energy were the primary sources in 2023/24. The next year’s
electricity consumption is estimated annually and certificates
of origin covering the expected consumption are purchased.
The electricity consumption is calculated at the end of
the financial year and any imbalance between purchase and
consumption addressed.
Compensation and CO2e-neutrality
Where it is not yet possible to avoid greenhouse gas emissions
by using energy from renewable sources, e.g. where emissions result from the production and consumption of heating
and fossil fuels, Gabriel makes use of climate compensation.
In brief, climate compensation means that an undertaking
supports projects that capture greenhouse gases at a level
equal to the emissions created by the undertaking’s activities. In 2023/24, Gabriel supported the Gold Standard certified project “300 MW Wind Energy Project by Green Infra
Wind Energy Limited”.
By using climate compensation and ensuring that Gabriel
consumes energy from renewable sources, the Gabriel Group
was again a CO2e-neutral company in scope 1 and 2 according
to the GHG Protocol in 2023/24. Gabriel has been CO2e-neutral since the 2019/20 financial year.
Climate goals in line with the Paris Agreement
Gabriel joined the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) in
2023. SBTi is a pathway for companies to set science-based
emission targets in line with the climate goals of the Paris
Agreement. The initiative was founded by the UN Global
Compact, CDP, WRI and WWF based on the GHG Protocol.
Gabriel is working to set reduction targets for 2030 in accordance with SBTi guidelines and develop a transition plan.
This involves several activities including complete scope 3
mapping, technology and process development and increased
use of self-generated renewable energy in our own companies and the value chain. The reduction targets will be at
least 42% for 100% of scope 1 and 2 emissions and 30% for
67% of scope 3 emissions.
Status 2023/24
Gabriel’s objective is to reduce its energy consumption and impact on the climate. In 2023/24, the Group’s
market-based16 scope 1 and 2 impact (impact related
to the Group’s wholly-owned companies) decreased by
3.0% despite a 3.6% increase in total energy consumption
compared to 2022/23. Consumption increased mainly
due to an increased activity level, particularly in the
weaving mill, Gabriel Textiles, the European FurnMaster
branches and the opening of SampleMaster production
in North America. The decrease in the total market-based
climate impact is, among others, attributable to relocation of production, optimisation of energy sources and
consumption in Gabriel’s offices and showrooms. It is
also positive that Gabriel’s own solar panels now generate a larger share of the Group’s energy consumption.
The Group's efforts in climate mapping and goal-setting
continue, and additional measures to reduce the impact
by 2030 have been initiated. This includes increased use
of electricity and renewable energy for production and
transport.
More details on page 33.
Mapping of impacts
Gabriel calculates the energy consumption and associated
greenhouse gas emissions in its own production and facilities (scope 1 and 2). Mapping of the climate impact of the
entire value chain before and after Gabriel’s own activities
(scope 3) started in 2023/24. The GHG Protocol divides scope
3 mapping into 15 categories, which include the impact from
purchased goods and services, transportation and distribution and the use phase. Mapping will be finalised in 2024/25
as part of Gabriel’s work of setting climate goals.
See pages 32-33 for information on the Group’s consumption.
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