Dunelm, the UK’s largest homewares retailer, has taken a significant step forward in its sustainability agenda with greenhouse gas emissions targets approved by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi).
The retailer becomes the first dedicated homewares specialist and one of the first companies globally to set short and long-term company-wide emission reduction targets in line with climate science, following the rigorous SBTi assessment.
The SBTi, a global organisation which defines and promotes best practice in emissions reductions targets, in line with the latest climate science, has assessed Dunelm’s targets and approved its commitment to the following from a 2019 base year:
- Overall target – reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions across the value chain by 2040
- Near term target – reduce absolute scopes 1, 2 and 3 GHG emissions 50% by 2030
- Long term target – reduce absolute scope 1, 2 and 3 GHG emissions 90% by 2040
The latest climate science from the IPCC demonstrates that it is still possible to limit the global temperature rise to 1.5°C, in line with the Paris Agreement, but that the threshold is dangerously close, meaning the need for rapid and deep emission cuts is crucial across the business world.
The validation of Dunelm’s targets by the SBTi comes ahead of the publication of its Sustainability Report next week, which will reiterate the business’s longstanding commitment to being a good company and building sustainability into all that it does. Some highlights from this year’s report include:
- Reduced Scope 1 carbon intensity and plastic packaging, ahead of targets
- Used more recycled materials in our products to lower our environmental impact and to support product circularity
- Collected c.70 tonnes a month of pre-loved textiles and used some of these in our Remade range
- Joined the Sustainable Apparel Coalition (SAC) to drive supplier engagement using the Higg Index tools.
Nick Wilkinson, CEO of Dunelm, commented:
“We are building sustainability into all that we, not only because it is the right thing to do, but because it is a business imperative that supports our vision to be the UK’s most trusted and valuable brand in homewares and furniture.
“We’re delighted to have received approval of our ambitious targets from the SBTi. We are increasingly focused on achieving our goals in this area whilst recognising that there is more we can do to lead the homewares industry in reducing our environmental impact on the planet.”
