—Content supplied by DuluxGroup —
This year DuluxGroup has taken a significant step in understanding key sources of carbon emissions, by completing a business-wide carbon footprint.
The carbon footprint is a measure of the total greenhouse gas emissions caused by our business activities through use of fuel and electricity and, indirectly, via our supply chain and through distribution and use of our products.
The work shows that the footprint for DuluxGroup businesses totalled 1.16 million tonnes for the 2019 calendar year. Of this over half (56%) is associated with embodied carbon in raw materials and purchased finished goods, with a further 4% connected to packaging. Emissions associated with our own business operations (site energy, fleet, services & equipment, capital projects, employee commuting and travel) represent 28% of the total footprint while product distribution and consumer use and end of life total 9% and 7% respectively.
Figure 1: 2019 Carbon Sources: Over half of DuluxGroup’s carbon footprint is associated with purchased raw materials and finished goods.
Preparing the carbon footprint is the first step in identifying carbon-related opportunities and risks throughout our supply chain. It will help us identify practical and material ways to be more efficient, reduce resources and manage our environmental footprint. Additionally, understanding the most carbon intensive inputs to our business will enable us to identify and address supply risks, including the potential for future price escalation as countries introduce policies to meet globally agreed carbon targets.