Driving down emissions in the DIY sector

Customer requirement

Scope 3 emissions account for more than 90 per cent of all emissions for the global home improvement retail sector and usually fall outside of retailers’ direct operational control. The range of approaches and methodologies to measure and report on Scope 3 carbon emissions has created inconsistency and inefficiency for home improvement retailers trying to lower emissions across their full value chain, and additional burden on the product manufacturers supplying them.

Ricardo solution

Ricardo worked with the European DIY Retail Association and Global Home Improvement Network (EDRA/GHIN) to lead a Scope 3 taskforce which resulted in a Scope 3 Decarbonisation Strategy and Roadmap to develop and set net zero emissions reduction targets for the global home improvement retail sector within the next two years. The EDRA/GHIN Global Scope 3 Decarbonisation Commitment also entails collaborating with suppliers to set their own net zero decarbonisation targets within five years. Our work also included the development of a Scope 3 GHG accounting guide which for the first time provides a consistent approach to calculating emissions for the sector.

Customer benefit

By working together, agreeing consistent methodologies in how carbon data is treated through the supply chain and sharing best practices in reporting, the whole global home improvement retail sector can accelerate decarbonisation across the value chain and achieve significant emission reductions at scale.

“We consider ourselves to be most fortunate to have found Ricardo to lead our Scope 3 Decarbonisation Strategy and Implementation Programme.

Although early days, this is proving to be a sector initiative, which is essential when discussing Scope 3 Carbon Emissions.

The feedback from our members globally has been extremely positive and they are very happy with the partnership with Ricardo on this project.” 

John W. Herbert – General Secretary EDRA/GHIN

Further information

• SERVICE: Scope 3 emissions management
• ARTICLE: Tackling Scope 3 emissions through a product-led circular economy strategy 
• ARTICLE: Ricardo to support the DIY sector in hammering down value chain emissions
• ARTICLE: Ricardo supports global home improvement retail sector to reduce greenhouse gas emissions
• ARTICLE: Leading global home improvement brands commit to industry-wide Scope 3 emissions reductions