Kingfisher and Burberry unveil ‘ambitious’ new sustainability targets

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Kingfisher and Burberry have lifted the lid on ambitious new carbon reduction targets in a bid to beef up their sustainability credentials.

DIY giant Kingfisher wants to slash greenhouse gas emissions by 2025, while Burberry has set out bold plans to become “climate positive” by 2040. It is the first luxury brand to make such a pledge.

B&Q and Screwfix owner Kingfisher has pledged to cut greenhouse gas emissions from property and transport by 37.8% by 2025, compared to 2016 levels.

The group also wants to reduce emissions from the use of sold products and purchased goods and services by 40% for every £1m of turnover by 2025, compared to 2017.

Both targets have been approved by the Science Based Targets Initiative and replace previous green goals that Kingfisher met four years ahead of schedule.

Kingfisher boss Thierry Garnier said: “Through the great work of all our teams, we met our previous science-based carbon reduction targets well ahead of schedule. We felt it was critical for us to take additional commitments by 2025 and have now committed to making the additional investments needed to meet these ambitious new targets.

“We are proud to join the small number of retailers who have set approved science-based targets in line with a 1.5°C scenario.”

Burberry said its goal would set “a new industry standard”, eclipsing its previous goal to be net-zero by 2040.

The luxury fashion house aims to reduce emissions across its supply chain by 46% by 2030, up from its previous target of 30%.

It will also accelerate the development of “low-carbon future solutions” and plans to invest in “nature-based projects with carbon benefits that restore and protect natural ecosystems” through its Burberry Regeneration Fund.

Burberry chief executive Marco Gobbetti said: “Burberry was built upon a desire to explore nature and the great outdoors and they have remained our inspiration for more than 150 years. Drawing on this heritage of exploration and driven by our creative spirit, today, we are setting a bold new ambition: to become climate positive by 2040.

“As a company, we are united by our passion for being a force for good in the world. By strengthening our commitment to sustainability, we are going further in helping protect our planet for generations to come.”

The targets of both Kingfisher and Burberry are in line with the reductions required to keep global warming to 1.5°C – the most ambitious goal of the Paris climate agreement.