The LEGO Group has announced a series of initiatives to eliminate natural gas usage at its production facilities as part of its efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This move aligns with LEGO’s broader climate objectives, which include achieving [net zero emissions](https://www.esgtoday.com/lego-to-invest-over-1-4-billion-to-reduce-emissions-commits-to-net-zero-by-2050/) across its entire value chain by 2050 and cutting carbon emissions by 37% by 2032, based on 2019 levels. The transition away from natural gas is a crucial element of LEGO’s “Zero Impact in Operations” strategy, aimed at separating its environmental impact from business growth.
Natural gas has traditionally been used to heat LEGO’s factories, contributing 16,000 tonnes of CO₂ equivalent emissions in 2023. To address these emissions, LEGO is exploring alternative heating solutions. In Nyíregyháza, Hungary, the company has drilled two wells to harness geothermal energy. Over the next two years, LEGO will develop the necessary infrastructure to circulate hot water from the wells throughout the factory, aiming to fully eliminate the site’s dependency on natural gas by 2028.
In Denmark, LEGO has transitioned 11 buildings in Billund to district heating, predominantly sourced from renewable energy, with completion expected in 2024. In Jiaxing, China, LEGO has implemented a system to capture and reuse heat from chillers, resulting in a 50% reduction in natural gas use. The company plans to expand this initiative to completely phase out natural gas consumption.
LEGO Group stated: “These projects are important milestones on our journey to reduce our operational emissions, and we will continue looking for new and innovative ways to lower our environmental footprint and make our factories more sustainable.”
