Net-Zero Business podcast: Kingfisher on collaboration and credible target-setting

In response to the accelerated pace at which corporates are examining and setting net-zero targets to help alleviate the climate crisis, edie's monthly Net-Zero Business podcast was created. Up next, we talk low-carbon retail with B&Q owner Kingfisher.


Net-Zero Business podcast: Kingfisher on collaboration and credible target-setting

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Following on from the UK Government’s world-leading net-zero carbon commitment, edie’s spinoff podcast series, Net-Zero Business, hears from the trendsetters and trailblazers of responsible businesses.

Since the UK Government set its 2050 net-zero target into law, more and more businesses are attempting to get ahead of the political curve by strengthening carbon and energy strategies and pledging to become net-zero businesses well before the 2050 deadline. But questions continue to arise about how they are developed, and their credibility.

The Net-Zero Business podcast is a monthly digest of episodes that are 35 minutes or less in length. It usually features one in-depth interview with a sustainability or energy manager at a business working towards net-zero or carbon-neutrality.

This time around, the edie team interviews Kingfisher’s group director of responsible business and sustainability, Caroline Laurie, to learn a little more about the retailer’s work on climate.

As was the case for many businesses, 2021 was a busy year for Laurie and her team. Kingfisher announced updated science-based targets, verified in line with a 1.5C trajectory by the Science-Based Targets Initiative (SBTi). The targets are to reduce direct and power-related emissions (Scope 1 and 2) from property and transport  by 38% by 2025, against a 2016 baseline. There is also an indirect (Scope 3) emissions target for the supply chain and customer use of products. This is an intensity-based target of a 40% emissions reductions by 2025, with a 2017 baseline.

2021 also saw Kingfisher announced as one of the businesses spearheading the Race to Zero Breakthroughs: Retail initiative, along with Walmart, H&M Group and Ikea’s parent company Ingka Group. The aim of that initiative is to encourage other retailers to set and deliver against 1.5C climate targets; at the time of the initiative’s launch, only 5% of retailers globally had taken this step.

The edie podcast is available to listen to on Spotify, SoundCloud, Apple and Google. You can also subscribe to this podcast on iTunes and bookmark this page to see the full list of podcast episodes as they appear. Have a question about this podcast or a suggestion for future episodes? Email us at podcast@fav-house.com. Please bear in mind that all our speaker slots are now filled until late March.


Register now for edie’s Sustainability Leaders Forum 2022

At the end of this episode, Sarah mentions that edie’s biggest event of the year is returning as a live, in-person event for 2022. The dates have been moved from early February to March, to ensure collaboration and celebration can take place in person. 

The Sustainability Leaders Forum will now take place on 8 and 9 March 2022, and will unite hundreds of professionals for inspiring keynotes, dynamic panel discussions, interactive workshops and facilitated networking. There will also be digital tickets.

Taking place at London’s Business Design Centre, the event will feature more than 60 speakers, including experts from Natural England, the Green Finance Institute, the World Economic Forum and the Centre for Climate Repair. We’re planning our most diverse and inspirational programme yet.

Click here for full information and to book your pass.


edie staff

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