Company reaches halfway mark on carbon reduction target in year two, with aim of 20 percent reduction by 2020
Published 01-12-11
Submitted by Reckitt Benckiser (RB)
/PRNewswire/ - Reckitt Benckiser (RB) plc, a world leader in household, health and personal care (with U.S. headquarters in Parsippany, NJ) and parent of Clearasil, Lysol, Woolite and other iconic brands, today announced that the expulsion of over 3 million tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) was avoided last year by an 11 percent reduction per unit dose in the carbon impact across its products' lifecycle - the same impact as taking nearly 1 million cars off the road. This key milestone is a crucial part of RB's "Carbon20" program, which aims to reduce its products' impact on climate change by 20 percent by 2020.
This cut in carbon emissions per unit dose of 11 percent means the company has already achieved half of the program's goal in only its second year. Launched in 2007, Carbon20 goes beyond targeting the easy wins of energy reduction in factories and travel. It targets reductions of the much larger carbon emissions embedded in raw and packaging materials from suppliers, and in consumers' use and disposal of the company's products. Carbon20 also targets the climate change impact of the overall lifecycle of RB products. RB globally manufactures and sells approximately 6 billion consumer products a year, equivalent to over 16 million products a day.
RB was one of the first champions of this total carbon footprint approach. Working with external consultants over several years, RB has established an independently-assured methodology to analyze the total carbon lifecycle of its products, and has been targeting activities (both within its own supply chain and manufacturing), as well as engaging consumers to change their behavior and adopt lower-carbon routines.
"Focusing on climate change is right for our business, right for our industry, and right for society," said Bart Becht, Chief Executive Officer of Reckitt Benckiser plc. "Our Carbon20 program establishes ambitious targets for RB, and I'm pleased that we are on track to exceed them. However, much remains to be done in the realm of combating climate change, and RB will not rest in our quest to drive progress."
Summary - Key Facts
About Reckitt Benckiser (RB)
Reckitt Benckiser (RB) is a world leader in household, health and personal care.
It is a FTSE top 25 company and since 2000 net revenues have doubled and the market cap has quadrupled. Today it is the global No 1 or No 2 in the majority of its fast-growing categories, driven by an exceptional rate of innovation - typically about 35% of net revenue comes from innovations launched in the prior 3 years. It has a strong portfolio led by 19 global powerbrands which are: Finish, Lysol, Dettol, Vanish, Woolite, Durex, Calgon, Airwick, Harpic, Bang, Mortein, Veet, Nurofen, Clearasil, Strepsils Gaviscon, Mucinex, Scholl and French's, and they account for 70% of net revenue.
RB people are at the heart of the company's success. They have an intense drive for progress and action and a desire to outperform wherever they focus, including in CSR where the company has the most ambitious corporate responsibility program in the industry through its Carbon20 initiative.
Headquartered in the United Kingdom, the company employs about 25,000 people worldwide, with operations in over 60 countries and sales in almost 200 countries.
For more information visit www.RB.com.
APPENDIX
Major contributors to the success of Carbon20 have been programs to:
Offsetting not included
In contrast to some other companies' approaches, carbon offsetting - including the company's own ongoing carbon offset project Trees for Change (www.treesforchange.info) - is NOT counted towards the Carbon20 target.
Rationale for the Program
Carbon20 builds on the substantial progress RB has already made in reducing its direct carbon emissions and represents a radical step in its commitment and contribution to a greener planet.
The company believes that by being ambitious and innovative in addressing climate change, there are clear business benefits, as well as social and environmental benefits, such as:
Measurement and verification
RB's measurement system has been developed in conjunction with environmental consultancy, URS and is in line with the British Standard Institute's carbon footprinting specification PAS 2050: 2008. The Carbon20 methodology is externally verified by Deloitte LLP.
RB's track record on sustainability
RB has made good progress on reducing its overall environmental impact for several years and has had a particular emphasis on climate change since 2000.
Achievements since 2000 include:
RB is intent on delivering its products in a sustainable and responsible way. For further details about sustainability performance, go to www.RB.com, which features the 2008 Sustainability Report.
Reckitt Benckiser (RB) is a world leader in household, health and personal care and parent of Clearasil, Lysol, Woolite and other iconic brands. It is a FTSE top 25 company and since 2000 net revenues have doubled and the market cap has quadrupled. RB is intent on delivering its products in a sustainable and responsible way. For further details about sustainability performance, go to www.RB.com which features the 2008 Sustainability Report.
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