Reckitt Benckiser beats emissions reduction target

1 June 2012, source edie newsroom

Reckitt Benckiser (RB) has beaten its lifecycle greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions target of 20% by 2020 - eight-years ahead of schedule.

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The health, hygiene and home products company behind the likes of Finish, Vanish, Air Wick and Strepsils, Sustainability Report 2011, released yesterday (May 31), revealed it achieved a 21% improvement in emissions, against a 2007 baseline.

As part of its Carbon20 commitment, which aims to mitigate the impact its products have on climate change, RB pledged to measure and cut the emissions throughout its products lifecycles, from raw material sourcing to disposal after consumers have used the products.

In addition, the report shows that RB has improved water efficiency, with a 16% reduction in fresh water usage per unit of production, against a 2000 baseline, highlighted.

It has also attempted to make its manufacturing sites carbon neutral by planting 5.4m trees since 2006 as part of the Trees for Change project.

RB chief executive officer Rakesh Kapoor, said: "Achieving our 2020 carbon target is testament to the innovation that drives the company. It demonstrates our commitment to sustainability, which is embedded our new vision, purpose and strategy announced in February 2012."

Carys Matthews