Williams-Sonoma commits to carbon neutrality by 2025

A specialty home furnishings leader is setting a science-based target for emission reductions across its enterprise.

As part of a collaboration with the Science-Based Targets initiative, Williams-Sonoma Inc. is reducing its emissions in line with the Paris Climate Agreement. The company has set an emissions target that will help keep global warming below 2 degrees Celsius to avoid the worst effect of the climate crisis, while establishing a pathway to net-zero emissions. 

The company’s new climate goals include becoming 100% carbon-neutral in scope 1 and 2 emissions (caused directly by fuel combustion and indirectly by purchasing power) by 2025. By 2030, Williams-Sonoma is committing to a 50% absolute reduction in scope 1 and 2 emissions and 14% absolute reduction in Scope 3 emissions from materials, production, transportation, and product use.

To reduce scope 1 and 2 emissions, the company will focus on efficiency, retrofitting its systems and upgrading to more energy-efficient equipment across its offices, stores and distribution centers, to reduce the energy used to power its operations. Additionally, it will install solar where appropriate, purchase green power when possible, and support new renewable energy projects through power purchase agreements (PPAs). 

To lower scope 3 emissions in its value chain, the company will develop a preferred materials strategy and switch to lower-impact options, like recycled polyester, as well as work with key suppliers to set reduction and renewable strategies and roadmaps. Williams-Sonoma will also increase more efficient delivery for direct-to-consumer sales, in an effort to ensure customers receive its product in the lowest-impact way.  

To arrive at these goals, Williams-Sonoma underwent an extensive, year-long data gathering and analysis project, using third-party experts and independent research alongside company data to measure the footprint across the company’s entire value chain.

“We are thrilled to announce our new climate goals of carbon reduction across our supply chain,” said Laura Alber, president and CEO, Williams-Sonoma. “Williams-Sonoma Inc. is ‘Good by Design’ – striving for quality, safety, and sustainability throughout our business, and to improve our environmental performance every day. We understand these commitments play an important role in the sustainability of our planet and look forward to continuing our work to create a more sustainable future for generations to come.”