In 2023, the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi) approved Corning’s near-term science-based emissions reduction targets.
- Reduce our Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 30% (absolute basis) by 2028 from a 2021 base year
- Reduce absolute Scope 3 GHG emissions, covering purchased goods and services, capital goods, fuel- and energy-related activities, and upstream transportation and distribution 17.5% by 2028 from a 2021 base year
Below are some of the steps we are taking to achieve GHG emission reduction targets.
Increasing Use of Renewable Electricity: According to the most recent Solar Energy Industries Association report (2022), Corning ranked 4th for corporate solar energy usage within the U.S. manufacturing sector. Corning has committed to a four-fold increase in our renewable electricity use (2018 baseline) and is on a path to 100% renewables in the next few years in the United States, Canada, and Europe. We are working with partners to solve the challenges of renewable electricity in Asia and our other locations and expect to greatly expand renewable electricity use in those geographies over the next decade.
Investing in Low-Carbon Technologies: By investing in emerging technologies, Corning is identifying ways to replace natural gas with low-carbon fuel options to melt glass and fire ceramics. Corning’s Global Energy Management team has begun a program to identify and replace equipment that currently uses natural gas or high-carbon fuel sources and replace it with electrical equipment powered with our increasingly clean electricity.
Continuing Focus on Energy Efficiency: Corning's energy management has been recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency ENERGY STAR program for ten consecutive years. Corning continues to optimize processes to reduce energy use through incentive programs to identify efficiency opportunities and sharing best practices about energy-saving opportunities globally.
Working with Suppliers to Reduce Upstream Emissions: Corning has successfully engaged its suppliers on sustainability, producing improved visibility and compliance, such as increased social and environmental responsibility with mined material suppliers. The company’s supply chain organization has begun identifying and engaging with suppliers on GHG reductions. For example, multiple Corning businesses have reduced the distance traveled from suppliers to Corning manufacturing sites, resulting in reduced transportation emissions.
Integrating Sustainability into Our Innovation Process: Corning’s new product innovations are increasingly focused on reducing embodied carbon in our products and our customers’ products and operations. Corning is working with multiple customers across Market-Access Platforms to deliver those customers’ GHG reduction goals. Several customers have selected Corning to be part of their leading group of vendors to jointly develop the customers’ supply chain GHG reduction programs. Corning has begun to use life cycle assessments performed by third parties to provide industry-recognized calculations of embodied carbon. The company is also developing GHG-impact estimates to be used in the early stage design of its products.
Together with our partners, Corning will continue to reduce global GHG emissions aligned with our commitment to climate action.
