Britvic askes key suppliers to set emissions goals in line with science

Pictured: Brtvic's supplier day on sustainability, held in November

Britvic set new climate targets in 2019 and they are verified by the Science-Based Targets Initiative (SBTi) as aligned with 1.5C. Included in the targets is a vision to reduce Scope 3 emissions by 35% by 2025, against 2019 levels. These goals support a longer-term ambition to create a net-zero business by 2050.

The firm has now confirmed that it will be updating its contractual requirements on environmental sustainability for key suppliers over the next 12 months. Suppliers will, by this point, need to be committed to developing science-based targets to reduce their own greenhouse gas emissions. They will also need to sign up to the digital EcoVadis and Sedex supply chain sustainability disclosure platforms. These platforms support firms to measure and disclose their emissions in line with the Greenhouse Gas Protocol framework.

As a first step towards these mandatory changes, Britvic has begun inviting key suppliers to update their contracts on a voluntary basis, to include commitments on reducing emissions. This move follows on from a sustainability summit held by Britvic for more than 50 suppliers last month – a first for the Hemel-Hempstead-based business.

Britvic’s chief procurement officer Matt Swindall said: “As with all other businesses, the most challenging net-zero goal remains reducing Scope 3 emissions.

“We know that reaching our climate goals means helping our partners meet theirs, and I was thrilled to have such a positive response from our suppliers to commit to such targets.

“We will be offering tailored support on a case-by-case basis to address each of our supplier’s individual sustainability challenges and help them to set ambitious but achievable goals.”

As well as offering practical support to suppliers, Britvic will be launching a sustainable supply chain finance programme before the end of the year. The business is working with ING Bank to develop and deliver this programme.

CDP research found that, on average, Scope 3 emissions are 11.4 times higher than operational emissions (known as Scope 1 and 2) for multinational businesses. This makes having strong Scope 3 targets crucial to the credibility of net-zero plans.

Last month, at COP27, businesses including Unilever, BT and Ikea called on other corporates to join them in a collective initiative from the Race to Zero campaign to halve value chains emissions by 2030.