Kingfisher announces new 2040 net zero target

Kingfisher has announced that it is committing to a new 2040 net zero target and an increased 60 per cent Sustainable Home Products 2025 sales target. The international home improvement retailer and owner of Screwfix and B&Q published its annual Responsible Business Report on 5 July.

According to Kingfisher’s report, some key 2021/22 achievements were a 24.5 per cent reduction in carbon emissions across their operations. At the same time 87.2 per cent of wood and paper in products, and 100 per cent of catalogue paper are now being responsibly sourced and are on track to be Forest Positive by 2025/26.

The company’s now proclaimed new targets are a new goal to reach net zero emissions for operations by the end of 2040 and a 60 per cent rate of total sales to be from Sustainable Home Products by the end of 2025. So far, the pre-existing science-based target of reducing operational emissions has been 37.8 per cent by 2025/26.

Thierry Garnier, chief executive officer of Kingfisher plc, said: “We are committed to helping tackle climate change by setting targets both in the short and in the long term. In the short term, we are on track to reduce our carbon emissions in line with global efforts to limit warming to below 1.5°C by 2025. In the long term, we are now committed to reach net zero emissions by the end of 2040.

“Helping our customers to live in more sustainable homes is another of our key priorities. We think everyone deserves a greener, healthier home – that’s comfortable to live in but uses fewer resources and costs less to run. With rising energy prices, home energy efficiency has never been more important.”