Route 2030: Annual & Sustainability Report 2022

B.I.G. is on course to achieve a zero environmental footprint by 2030. That is right, zero. To make this journey more tangible, we would like to offer you a passenger’s seat from which you will be able to really get up close and immerse yourself in our various sustainability projects. In this edition: The launch of our Annual & Sustainability Report 2022: Connecting the dots.

Even in challenging times, Beaulieu International Group is fully committed to sustainable solutions with added value. This is evident in the annual report titled "Connecting the dots." Because in 2022, that's what it was all about—making the puzzle pieces fall into place and striving to connect all the dots. Our annual and sustainability report confirms our ambition to transform from a cost-plus producer to a provider of valuable and sustainable solutions for every customer. And sustainability remains an absolute focal point. Especially now, in economically turbulent times, we believe that sustainability is the key to a promising future. "Fortune favors the bold. So, instead of backing down on sustainability when the going gets tough, we double down on it. Time will prove us right," says CEO Pol Deturck.

Sustainablity in our DNA

?“Our people now identify sustainability with B.I.G. the same way they believe salt and pepper go together. It has become an integral part of our DNA and it’s this vibe of embedded sustainability that sums up 2022 best for me”, says Clara Carelli, Group Sustainability Director. “I look forward to sharing more information on our progress in the coming months and years. Transparency on positive and negative impacts is not negotiable. You’ll get the truth and nothing but the truth. That’s also one of the reasons why we committed to Science Based Target initiative (SBTi) at the beginning of 2023. We’re all in now.”

Achieved Goals

At B.I.G., we are determined to sail a sustainable course and constantly strive for progress. What goals have we set? And what goals have we achieved? Let us break it down for you. Firstly, we focused on reducing our global footprint. In 2021, we emitted 2.7 million tons of CO2 equivalent (CO2e). Through our efforts, we managed to lower this number to 2.4 million tons of CO2e in 2022. Additionally, we made significant progress in the use of renewable energy. In 2022, renewable energy accounted for 12% of the total share of electricity and heat in our facilities. This represents a 4% increase from the previous year (2021). We also emphasized circularity, aiming to incorporate renewable and recycled materials into our solutions. In 2022, we processed 8.4% of renewable and recycled materials, including both post-industrial and post-consumer materials. Furthermore, within the Group, we have developed and implemented a new policy that adheres to the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and the 10 principles of the United Nations Global Compact. This enables us to ensure responsible business practices and commit to ethical and sustainable operations.

Being bold will push the boundaries

“We have always had the best interests of both people and the planet at heart. We aim to do well by doing good”, says Clara Carelli. “Our ambition is to achieve net zero emissions by 2030. Yes, we are aware of the obvious risk of not being able to fully meet our strong commitment. Yes, we understand that our goal requires solutions that are not yet available. Yes, we acknowledge that we cannot accomplish everything on our own. But that doesn’t frighten us. Instead, we embrace the challenge and believe that being bold will push the boundaries of what we can achieve!”

Curious about all our achievements? Be sure to check out our annual and sustainability report!