The Science-Based Targets Initiative (SBTi) validated four of RS Group’s near-term climate reduction targets. RS is committed to helping fight the climate crisis through genuine actions to reduce its emissions. The Group’s goal is to reach net zero in its direct operations by 2030 and across its value chain by 2050.
RS Group is uniting its 1.1 million customers and its 2,500+ suppliers behind this goal to develop and implement scalable solutions that lead to genuine emissions reductions, from ensuring its distribution centers generate and use renewable electricity to cutting the distance its products travel and switching to deliveries by road or sea rather than air. RS is also working with its suppliers to offer customers products that save energy and reduce the carbon footprint of their operations, through its new Better World product range.
RS Group has set four science-based targets covering its most important emissions areas: operations, logistics, products and suppliers. These targets and their supporting initiatives drive the organization’s decarbonization approach and support the target to limit global warming to 1.5 °C.
Following extensive engagement and a thorough validation process, the SBTi has validated its four near-term climate reduction targets as science-based. The SBTi is a global body that drives ambitious climate action in the private sector by enabling organizations to set science-based emissions reduction targets.
RS Group’s targets include:
- reducing absolute Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 75% (from a 2019/20 base year by 2029/30)
- reducing Scope 3 transport emissions by 25% per ton of product sold (from a 2019/20 base year by 2029/30)
- reducing Scope 3 emissions from the use of RS PRO products by 20% per ton of products sold (from a 2019/20 base year by 2029/30)
- committing that 67% of suppliers (by spend) covering purchased goods and services will set science-based targets by 2024/2025.
The company says it is already making good progress against these targets. RS Group has achieved a 58% reduction in its direct carbon emissions (Scope 1 and 2 emissions) since 2019/20 by switching to renewable electricity, implementing energy management in its distribution centers, and using electric vehicles in its company car fleet. RS Group also launched its Better World product range in 15 markets to help customers make more sustainable product choices, save energy and cut their operational emissions.
“The SBTi validation is an important landmark in our 2030 environmental, social and governance (ESG) action plan – For a Better World,” says Andrea Barrett, vice president of social responsibility and sustainability at RS Group. “RS Group is one the first global providers of industrial product and service solutions to achieve this milestone, giving our stakeholders real confidence that we are committed to driving emissions reductions and progressing towards net zero.”
Andrea continues, “Of course, setting the targets is easy in comparison to the journey ahead, but we have a brilliant team assembled who are driving towards results and helping RS, our customers, and our suppliers achieve their climate goals.”
The SBTi classifies targets against the long-term temperature pathways of well below 2 °C and 1.5 °C. The SBTi’s Target Validation Team classified RS’ Scope 1 and 2 target ambition in line with a 1.5 °C trajectory—the most ambitious designation available through the SBTi process.
