Winnebago Industries Inc. said it plans to increase its commitment to environmental sustainability by joining the Business Ambition for 1.5°C. The company has set a goal to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 and commits to setting a science-based target through the Science-Based Targets initiative.
The Business Ambition for 1.5°C is led by the Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi) in partnership with the UN Global Compact and the We Mean Business coalition, to enlist businesses, align with stakeholders and create science-based targets to limit the global temperature rise to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, a goal announced in the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s recent report.
“Winnebago Industries cares deeply about the outdoor spaces we and our customers love to explore. Joining the Business Ambition for 1.5°C is an important step forward,” said Michael Happe, Winnebago Industries president and CEO. “As an outdoor lifestyle company, we are committed to doing our part to ensure that our employees enjoy livable communities and that outdoor destinations are sustained for the next generations of outdoor enthusiasts.”
Winnebago Industries said it would work with the Science Based Target initiative and external validators to develop and enact a plan to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. Goals include:
- Zero waste to landfills, with 90 percent diversion of waste by 2030;
- Net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050;
- Reduce fresh water use by 30 percent by 2050; and
- Advance product sustainability with eco-friendly upgrades on new products by 2025 and product lifecycle assessments by 2030.
“Our environmental sustainability goals underscore our board and leadership team’s long-term view and commitment,” said Stacy Bogart, Winnebago Industries senior vice president, general counsel and corporate responsibility. “Our team is engaged. We are ready to innovate and evolve to achieve these goals.”
Rick Puckett, who joined the company in 2017 leading environment, health, safety and security, will head its environmental sustainability as vice president of Environment, Health, Safety, and Sustainability. Puckett reports to Chris West, senior vice president, Enterprise Operations and works as the goal owner on the cross-functional enterprise corporate responsibility advisory team. Kim Peterson, director of Environment and Sustainability, joined Winnebago Industries in September in a newly created role and will partner with business leaders at Winnebago, Grand Design RV, Chris-Craft, Newmar, and Barletta businesses.
