SLG reports net zero manufacturing emissions
Scottish Leather Group (SLG) has announced that it has achieved net zero greenhouse gas emissions for Scope 1 and Scope 2 across its manufacturing operations.
The company said the milestone follows more than 20 years of investment and innovation through its “Journey to Zero” initiative, launched in 2004 to reduce the environmental impact of leather manufacturing through lower energy use, reduced waste and declining carbon intensity.
According to SLG, the reduction in emissions has been achieved while maintaining production levels, demonstrating that carbon emissions can be decoupled from manufacturing output in an energy-intensive industry.
The group said early work focused on energy efficiency and system optimisation, helping to reduce energy consumption by around 40% within the first five years. Later investments included the development of its patented Thermal Energy Plant (TEP), renewable energy projects including on-site solar generation and wider operational changes across the business.
SLG said its circular manufacturing model, which integrates energy, waste and material management within its own operations, has played a central role in reducing the environmental impact of leather production while supporting operational resilience.
Head of innovation and sustainability Dr Warren Bowden said the achievement demonstrated that it is possible to reduce carbon intensity while maintaining production volumes.
The company added that it will now continue to focus on reducing Scope 3 emissions in line with its Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) commitments, including a targeted 48% reduction in Scope 3 Forest, Land and Agriculture (FLAG) emissions by 2034.
