Lear Corporation, global automotive technology supplier of Seating and E-Systems, released its 2022 Sustainability Report, which includes the company’s progress on its climate goals, sustainable product development, and diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives.
Lear’s Sustainability Highlights:
Climate Goals
Lear says it has been implementing a comprehensive renewable energy strategy to meet its climate goals. By the end of 2022, Lear decreased its Scope 1 and 2 emissions by nearly 17% against a 2019 baseline, putting the company on track to meet its 50% carbon reduction goal by 2030. Currently, on-site solar arrays provide a source of clean power for nine Lear facilities across six countries. All company locations in Germany, Poland, Spain and the United Kingdom have already met Lear’s 2030 goal of sourcing 100% renewable energy for their electricity needs, the company says. In addition, Lear employees completed 170 energy efficiency projects in 2022, with an estimated savings of 6 million kilowatt-hours of energy globally.
Sustainable Products
Lear’s portfolio of sustainable products continues to grow with more than 900 global patents and pending patents related to sustainable products. Products, such Lear’s award-winning Battery Disconnect Unit, help electric vehicles (EVs) charge faster and drive farther, the company reports. Lear’s 100% recycled ReNewKnit sueded surface material is made from repurposed plastic water bottles and supports a circular economy where textiles can be continuously recycled. The company says it has also completed reference life cycle assessments (LCAs) on seven of its major product lines to measure and identify opportunities to improve the carbon footprint of its products.
DEI and Leadership Development
In 2022, “a comprehensive review of our employee compensation practices showed more than 99% of women globally and ethnic minorities in the United States achieved pay equity,” Lear reports. Among salaried new hires in the United States, 52% were ethnic minorities or women. As part of its commitment to transparency, Lear has publicly disclosed its consolidated EEO-1 summary data. Designed to retain top performers and enable more diverse leadership in the future, Lear’s groundbreaking Together We Grow career development program launched in 2022 with 31 high-potential and diverse participants, the company says.
