Sae-A Trading aims to achieve a 42% reduction in both its direct and indirect greenhouse gas emissions (Scope 1 + Scope 2) by 2030.
The company explained it has set ambitious targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions produced by its upstream and downstream global partners and supply chains (Scope 3) with the goal of achieving net-zero by 2050.
A Sae-A Trading official said: "With ESG management emerging as a necessity worldwide, participating in the SBTi with the aim of 'carbon neutrality' is significant in that it objectively verifies a company's greenhouse gas emission reduction endeavours and builds credibility. Sae-A Trading is committed to enhancing global competitiveness and receiving a favourable evaluation from an investor perspective through this."
Sae-A Trading has operated its own dedicated sustainability team since 2008 and added that it has already been actively working towards carbon neutrality by introducing greenhouse gas reduction facilities in its overseas subsidiaries.
Sae-A Trading has also set a target of using 100% sustainable cotton and 50% recycled polyester by 2025, while systematically managing relevant certifications and supply chains.
Efforts towards achieving net-zero
Sae-A Trading pointed out that it has installed a total of 3.25MW of solar power generation facilities across its production facilities at Nicaragua, Indonesia, and Vietnam.
In Indonesia, the company has saved a total of 5,600 tons of carbon in 2022 through the Renewable Energy Certificate (REC), leading to a 80% reduction in Scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions at three facilities compared to 2020.
Sae-A Trading is also exploring the possibility of adding more solar power generation facilities to its sites in Vietnam in line with the SBTi greenhouse gas reduction goals.
The company highlighted that its other subsidiaries like Win Textile in Indonesia, is also making efforts to reduce Scope 2 greenhouse gases by installing 1MW solar power generation facilities and Renewable Energy Certificates.
Plus, Win Textile is transforming sewage sludge, a byproduct of sewage treatment processes, into fuel and utilising it as an energy source.
According to Sae-A Trading, another subsidiary in Costa Rica, Sae-A Spinning, obtained the LEED silver certification for its second spinning plant in August 2022.
The company said it has a policy to attain LEED gold certifications for all new plants, reflecting its commitment to incorporating eco-friendly and sustainability aspects of new facilities from the design and construction stages.
This extends to comprehensive sustainable management, and engaging with local communities which Sae-A Trading believes emphasises its strong commitment to ESG management.