Southwire has accelerated its sustainability strategy by achieving its 2025 Carbon Zero goal while establishing science-based emissions reduction targets through 2032.
Southwire reached a major climate milestone by achieving 100 percent Carbon Zero (zero carbon energy) across its operations in 2025, completing a journey that began with its 2018 Carbon Zero baseline, followed by the announcement of its Carbon Zero goal in 2020. The company established 2022 as the baseline year for its science-based climate targets, which were validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) in 2025. The next major milestone is 2032, when Southwire aims to achieve its long-term emissions reduction commitments.
The company’s climate strategy centers on reducing greenhouse gas emissions across its operations and value chain. Southwire has already reduced Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 25 percent compared with its 2022 baseline.
By 2032, Southwire aims to cut absolute Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions by 54.8 percent and Scope 3 emissions by 30 percent from the same baseline. Scope 3 emissions have not yet declined from the 2022 baseline, marking the first year of progress tracking for value-chain emissions, Southwire CEO Ganesh Ramaswamy said.
Southwire, led by Burt Fealing, Chief Sustainability Officer, integrates sustainability across its operations while advancing measurable environmental outcomes.
Southwire achieved its Carbon Zero milestone through a combination of renewable energy procurement, energy efficiency initiatives, green utility programs, onsite solar photovoltaic installations, renewable energy credits, and carbon offsets. The company also completed comprehensive energy assessments and audits across 100 percent of its manufacturing facilities to identify additional efficiency improvements. Looking ahead, Southwire plans to achieve its 2032 science-based emissions targets without relying on carbon offsets, instead focusing on direct emissions reductions throughout its operations and supply chain.
Renewable energy remains central to Southwire’s environmental strategy. The company continues expanding renewable electricity sourcing, onsite clean energy generation, and energy optimization initiatives that improve operational efficiency while lowering carbon emissions. These investments support a more resilient and lower-carbon manufacturing footprint.
Southwire is also advancing its circular economy strategy by increasing the use of recycled materials in packaging. The company has set a 2032 goal for 100 percent of plastic packaging to contain at least 30 percent post-consumer recycled (PCR) content. Progress has already reached 65 percent of plastic packaging meeting this requirement, demonstrating continued movement toward more sustainable materials management and waste reduction.
Product sustainability continues to expand through greater environmental transparency and innovation. Southwire has developed more than 100 products with independently verified Environmental Product Declarations covering more than 55 product categories, enabling customers to better understand product environmental impacts. The company also strengthened innovation capabilities by opening the W.M. Berry Innovation Center, doubling its research and development footprint to accelerate sustainable product development and electrification technologies.
The company’s social sustainability initiatives also delivered measurable results. Southwire achieved an overall employee Net Promoter Score (eNPS) of 57, placing it within the top 5 percent of industry benchmarks, while its inclusion score reached an eNPS of 70, also ranking in the top 5 percent. The company’s third annual Include Summit doubled employee participation, supporting its continued focus on diversity, inclusion, and workforce engagement.
Southwire strengthened ethical governance by being recognized as one of Ethisphere’s World’s Most Ethical Companies for the third consecutive year while continuing to align with the United Nations Global Compact and its Ten Principles. The company also achieved a record $890 million in spending with small businesses and certified enterprises owned by women, minorities, and veterans, reinforcing its commitment to responsible sourcing and supplier diversity. In addition, four manufacturing facilities earned The Copper Mark recognition for responsible production practices.
Community investment remained an important pillar of Southwire’s sustainability strategy. Employees contributed more than 30,000 volunteer hours globally, while the company raised and contributed more than $200,000 to help build a new home for a local veteran family. Total Community Investment increased 2 percent year over year as Southwire progresses toward its long-term objective of doubling community investment through financial contributions and in-kind support.
Technology and innovation continue to drive Southwire’s sustainability transformation. The company is expanding industrial artificial intelligence to improve productivity, reduce waste, and optimize energy efficiency across manufacturing facilities. It is also supporting renewable energy deployment through products for solar and wind applications, including Type PV solar wire, balance-of-system arrays, collection cables, Wind Tower and Turbine Tray Cables, and MV-105 medium-voltage cables. Southwire is further investing in emerging clean technologies through collaborations with Verdigris Technologies for AI-powered energy monitoring, Emrgy for hydroelectric generation, and Found Energy for clean hydrogen solutions.
SHAFANA FAZAL