Kingfisher Sets Ambitious Science-based Targets to Cut Greenhouse Gases

Kingfisher plc, the international home improvement company, today announces ambitious new targets to cut greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from its business, products and supply chains. 

The targets have been approved by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), confirming that they align with the goal of the Paris Climate Agreement to keep global temperature rises below 2°C. The SBTi defines best practice in science-based target setting, as well as independently assesses and approves companies’ targets.

Kingfisher has committed to:

• Reduce absolute scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions 22% by 2025 from a 2016 base year; and
• Reduce scope 3 GHG emissions from purchased goods and services and use of sold products 40% per £million turnover by 2025 from a 2017 base year[1].

The new targets form part of Kingfisher’s Sustainable Growth Plan, launched in 2018, which aims to help consumers have healthier, more sustainable homes. As part of its long-term sustainability strategy, Kingfisher is embedding sustainability into its products, services, operations and supply chain – aiming to become a Net Positive business by 2050. 

The new targets build on the progress already made by Kingfisher to cut the environmental footprint of its business and its products. This includes:

• Customer energy saving products and services that enable an estimated 32% reduction in home energy use
• 91% of all light bulbs sold are now LED
• A 16% cut in operational absolute carbon emissions since 2010/11
• 100% renewable electricity sourced for its UK operations
• Launch of its first zero-energy store in the UK, with more planned in 2019

Gemma Brierley, Sustainability Director, Kingfisher Offer & Sourcing commented:

“The great thing about our targets is that we’ll be cutting carbon emissions by helping customers improve their homes. This will include launching new products and services that help customers save energy and reduce their fuel bills.  We’ll also be working closely with suppliers to achieve direct cuts in emissions, to reduce emissions associated with materials such as cement and plastic and to continue to remove peat from the soils and composts we sell.” 

Jeremy Parsons, Head of Energy & Renewables, Kingfisher commented:

“Cutting carbon is nothing new at Kingfisher - we’ve already achieved a 16% reduction in our absolute emissions, and we have some great innovations such as our first zero-energy store. With our new targets we’ll significantly ramp up our efforts to decarbonise our business, further improving energy efficiency, buying more green power and installing more of our own renewables. Cutting emissions from transport as our business grows won’t be easy but we’ll be looking at a range of opportunities from new fuels and vehicle types to drive efficiency improvements.”  

Sue Riddlestone OBE, CEO, Bioregional commented:

“We applaud Kingfisher for taking this significant step towards reducing its carbon emissions - it is crucial that targets are aligned with what the science is saying is needed in order to tackle climate change. For an international retailer with a complex and extensive supply chain and business operations throughout Europe, this is no mean feat. We are proud to support Kingfisher in continuing to reduce the carbon footprint of its own operations, as well as for enabling its vast numbers of customers to reduce their impacts too.”

[1] The target boundary includes biogenic emissions and removals associated with the use of bioenergy.

Source : Insight DIY Team and Kingfisher Press Release

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