Today, Dixons Carphone, the business behind Currys PC World and Carphone Warehouse is announcing its most ambitious emissions reduction targets to date, setting out its intentions to reduce Scope 1, 2 and 3 greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions 50% across the Group by FY2029/30.[1] Crucially these targets have been validated by Science Based Target Initiative (SBTi) as consistent with levels required to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement.
The retailer has already pledged to achieve net zero emissions by 2040 by reducing its impact on the environment not only through the energy and resources used by its operations, but also through its wider value chain.
It has also made the bold step to include further ESG commitments into its colleague bonus criteria, strengthening again the company’s commitment to its overall ESG ambitions. This means that 40% of the annual bonus criteria is now ESG related, illustrating the commitment to embed sustainability into the company’s strategy and decision-making.
To support these ambitious targets Dixons Carphone is developing an emissions roadmap that outlines the steps to achieve the net zero goal. This roadmap includes initiatives such as transitioning its fleet to EV or low-carbon alternatives (Scope 1), increasing its use of renewable electricity across the Group (Scope 2) and using the EcoVadis carbon tool to increase visibility of supplier emissions (Scope 3) as well as helping customers purchase lower-carbon products (Scope 3).
Moira Thomas, Group Director of Sustainability and ESG said: “Earlier this year we pledged our support to the Business Ambition for 1.5°C campaign so we’re proud to be able to cement that commitment with new ambitious targets. The climate crisis remains one of the greatest threats to our planet and we have a responsibility to play our part in tackling it. We are doing this by improving our use of resources, assessing the impacts of climate risks and opportunities across our operations and supply chains and, ultimately, creating circular business models.
“This circular business model will in turn help our customers. We’re already known for helping millions of customers choose, afford and enjoy their tech but as the industry leader we also want to be equally famous for giving customers’ tech longer life through repair, recycling and reuse.”
These new targets come after the business has achieved its previously set targets to reduce energy related emissions by 50% and energy consumption by 35% by FY2019/20 against FY2013/14 base year. In FY2019/20 the retailer beat its targets by reducing energy related emission targets by 65% and its energy consumption by 43%.
To maximise the company’s impact and to best utilise its unique global scale and expertise it will be focusing on the three key areas where it can make the most impact: reducing emissions and tackling climate change; giving technology longer life through recycling, repair and reuse; and helping eradicate digital poverty.
