The RS Group remains on the CDP A List for 2025, ranking among the top 4% of companies worldwide for climate leadership. CDP is a leading global benchmark for climate action and disclosure, covering two-thirds of market capitalisation across 130 countries.
The A List is reserved for those showing advanced climate leadership, and this recognition reflects the progress RS is making across its 2030 ESG action plan: from cutting carbon and decarbonising logistics, to expanding the Better World product range, and working closely with suppliers to build a more sustainable industrial value chain for its customers.
Andrea Barrett, chief sustainability officer, RS Group.
Key highlights include:
Carbon emissions: Emissions are reduced by 64% since the 2019/20 baseline, thanks to the net zero initiatives in the company’s distribution centres and fleet. A number of key sites are powered by solar panels and almost half of the RS global fleet is now electric or hybrid. Recently, the company switched their HGVs from diesel to biofuels, and changed their vans to electric.
Greener packaging: 89% of packaging now includes over 50% recycled content, and 95% is recyclable. The company also introduced a bio-based polymer into plastic carriers used for small electronic items, helping to cut single-use plastic and support circular solutions.
Logistics decarbonisation: Product transport emissions intensity is down 35% since the 2020 baseline, supported by logistics optimisation to reduce distance travelled, and the switch to electric last mile. These are all enabled by the RS regional distribution model and the company’s logistics carriers prioritising sustainability.
Better World products: The flagship sustainability initiative now includes 33 000 products from over 140 suppliers. The company plans to expand the range even further in 2026 via Better World solutions, which help customers run their businesses more sustainably.
Supplier collaboration: RS work in partnership with suppliers to prioritise carbon reductions, optimise sourcing and distribution routes, and improve the sustainability benefits and features of their products. RS reports that 40% of suppliers have set science-based targets, 57% have joined EcoVadis, and 78% of RS PRO suppliers are Sedex members.
Andrea Barrett, chief sustainability officer, said: “Being on the CDP A List reflects our leadership on climate change and the efforts of our teams and partners across the global industrial value chain to reduce environmental impacts while creating long-term value for our stakeholders.”
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