We care about our impact on the planet.
We are committed to reducing our carbon footprint, minimising waste, and sourcing more environmentally friendly materials and products where possible.
Our targets
In FY23 we set the carbon emission reduction targets detailed below. Our Scope 1 and Scope 2 targets, together with our Scope 3 ambition, align with the British Retail Consortium’s climate action roadmap. In FY24 we completed our second carbon balance sheet, with an improvement in methodology, allowing us to directly compare our footprint for the first time against FY23 – which will now be our baseline year.
Carbon net zero targets1,2
Scope 1 – Net zero by
2035
Scope 2 – Net zero by
2030
Scope 3 – Net zero by
20453
1 Scope 1 consumption and emissions include direct combustion of natural gas and fuels utilised for transportation operations. Scope 2 consumption and emissions refer to indirect
emissions related to the consumption of purchased electricity in day-to-day business operations. Scope 3 consumption and emissions cover emissions resulting from sources
not directly owned by the Group.
2 We aspire to achieve our net zero targets through a 90% absolute reduction in our emissions and by offsetting the remaining 10%. Our targets have been established using a market-based methodology and our FY22 carbon emissions performance is the baseline against which we will measure our absolute reductions.
3 With an ambition to achieve net zero by 2040.
FY24 progress highlights
Emissions
Our carbon emissions across Scope 1, 2 and 3 decreased by 8% vs FY23, and by 9% vs our FY22 baseline. The majority of this decrease came from Scope 3.
FY24 performance
Scope 1
Increased vs FY23 and FY22 baseline year due to an increase in company car mileage as a result of returning to post-COVID-19 travel. Scope 1 emissions make up less than 1% of our total carbon footprint.
Scope 2
Increased by 7% vs FY23 but reduced 2.5% vs FY22 baseline due to an increase in electricity consumption.
Scope 3
Decreased by 8.7% vs FY23 and by 9.4% vs FY22 baseline.
Purchased goods and services reduced by 9.8% vs FY23 due to an overall decrease in total spend on paper products (-22%), which has the highest emissions factor compared to other materials used.
Products and packaging
Examples of progress we have made are:
- Removed outer shrink wrap packaging from 95% of our kids’ own brand jigsaws.
- In our PlayWorks and Outdoor Toys ranges, reduced plastic packaging, switching to 30% recycled content where possible, as well as introducing paper packaging.
- Our best-selling ‘Create Your Own Christmas’ bag and stockings are now made from 100% recycled bottles.
- We hit our FY23 target of increasing the number of books that are FSC certified from 45% to 60%.
Plans for FY25
Carbon emission reduction
- Develop an energy efficiency behaviour change programme for all colleagues.
- Engage with landlords to identify and implement energy efficiency opportunities across the store estate, tailoring efforts where necessary.
Products and packaging
- Increase the number of books that are FSC certified across our entire books range from 60% in FY24 to 75% by the end of FY25.
- Achieve an average of at least 50% of plastic packaging across all our imported products containing a minimum of 30%+ recycled content for the whole of FY25.
Waste
- Reduce the use of packaging in our products and ensure compliance with EU and UK regulations.
- Improve our recycling rates in our stores, Distribution Centre & Support Centre.
Barnardo's 'Play It Forward' scheme
In the last year we launched the trial of our ‘Play It Forward’ scheme in partnership with Barnardo’s. The scheme enables customers and colleagues to donate their good quality new and pre-loved books, games, toys and stationery at our donation points in store. Barnardo’s resells all good quality items in its charity stores to help raise vital funds for its work, or recycles any items which are not in a resalable condition.
After a successful trial, we are looking to roll out the scheme to all eligible UK stores in FY25. Working in partnership with Barnardo’s, we are pleased to have the opportunity to help our colleagues and customers raise funds that will help children, young people, and their families to feel safer, happier, healthier and more hopeful.
