US’ Lear Corporation, an automotive technology leader in seating and e-systems, has released its 2021 sustainability report, featuring its progress on renewable energy strategy, innovative green products, supplier sustainability, and diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) efforts. Lear enables superior in-vehicle experiences for consumers around the world.

After announcing its climate change goals in 2020, Lear developed a robust strategy to help the company achieve 100 per cent renewable energy for electric power consumed at its manufacturing plants by 2030. The goal has already been reached in Germany, Poland, and the United Kingdom, representing approximately one-half of Lear's electricity use in Europe, the company said in a press release.

To build on this progress, Lear plans to use a combination of methods including partnering with energy utilities to procure renewable energy as well as on-site generation for its remaining global sites. With three Automotive News PACE award-winning innovations in 2021, Lear is helping electric vehicles charge faster and drive farther. In fact, six out of eight key e-systems launches in 2022 will include content on new electric vehicles.

By 2026, four million electric vehicles are expected to rely on Lear’s new high-voltage connection systems as the main battery/vehicle interface. Additionally, Lear’s sustainable solutions include lightweight seating structures as well as renewable and recycled materials that divert waste from landfills and support a global circular economy.

To determine the cradle-to-grave sustainability of its products, Lear initiated life cycle assessments on its seating, leather and wire harness products in 2021. In addition, the company published a new product directive to integrate sustainability into its design process, according to Lear.

In 2021, a third party evaluated 1,600 of Lear’s production supplier locations on environment, responsible sourcing, ethics, human rights and management. Lear expects to complete assessments of approximately 3,000 of its production suppliers by the end of 2022. The company also launched the Together We Grow programme to provide meaningful development and proactive career management for future diverse leaders.

The company has spent $5.1 billion with certified minority-owned, women-owned and veteran-owned suppliers in the United States in the past decade. It has also renewed its commitment to the United Nations (UN) Global Compact as a signatory participant and to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.

Lear also increased transparency and enhanced reporting with the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) and the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) recommendations, and in accordance with the Core Requirements of the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI).

“Since we integrated ESG into our company’s long-term strategy—alongside business results and operational excellence—our global teams are helping us advance on our sustainability journey. Every day, Lear employees around the world are striving to support our people and communities as we work to make Lear an even better corporate citizen,” Ray Scott, Lear president and CEO, said in a statement.