20% reduction in Reckitt total carbon footprint by 2020

14 Dec '07

3 min read

Reckitt Benckiser Group plc launches Carbon 20, a major programme to reduce its Total Carbon Footprint and thereby its impact on climate change.

The approach is unique and different in not just targeting the easy wins of energy reduction in factories or travel, but the much larger carbon emissions embedded in raw and packaging materials from suppliers and in consumers' use and disposal of its products.

• Carbon 20 is a programme to reduce Reckitt Benckiser's Total Carbon Footprint by 20% per unit by 2020. The 20% target (on a current base of circa 15m tonnes of CO2 equivalents per annum) by 2020 is equivalent to removing the carbon impact of roughly 1m cars.

• Reckitt Benckiser is the first major FMCG company to tackle its Total Carbon Footprint. This 'cradle to grave' approach, across the entire product life cycle, is pioneering because it measures not only the carbon impact of raw and packaging materials, manufacturing, logistics and distribution, but also consumer use of products, where the greatest carbon impact can occur.

• Progress will be measured by independent experts, verified by third parties and reported annually. The Company has and will continue to work with external experts, including joining the Carbon Disclosure Project's new Supply Chain initiative, to implement a robust measurement system.

Bart Becht, Chief Executive Officer of Reckitt Benckiser plc, said:
“Carbon 20 is right for our business as well as for society. It is an ambitious but achievable target and Reckitt Benckiser has a proud track record of delivering its targets. This is a long-term commitment to tackle the real impact of our products' lifecycle on climate change by addressing their Total Carbon Footprint, from cradle to grave.

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