Reckitt

Challenge

Scope 3 emissions represent on average ~96% of a company’s total emissions. Reckitt is working with CO2 AI and Quantis to address this challenge, leveraging their sustainability expertise and technology to drive decarbonization efforts at scale.  

The project’s focus was to shift from measuring for reporting to measuring for decision–making. This involved getting more granular insights into emissions by product based on actual operations. In 2023, Reckitt collected over 300,000 data points to refine its baseline.  

Reckitt tasked CO2 AI and Quantis with designing its reduction strategy to reach its 2030 target, focusing on initiatives for packaging and raw materials and using AI to help prioritise its actions. 

Solutions

CO2 AI features Generative AI capabilities to transform Reckitt’s additional data points into a faster, more accurate carbon footprint. The proprietary technology matches the most relevant emission factor to each activity line in a matter of minutes, in a transparent and automated manner. This process previously involved manual categorization, which was both time-consuming and less precise.   

This was key in providing a solid foundation to see the footprint of Reckitt’s packaging and ingredients in the health, hygiene and nutrition product categories. 

The team identified key areas where reductions were most feasible and impactful. Quantis helped translate data into practical strategies and interventions that Reckitt could implement across its supply chain.  

Beyond preparing these reduction initiatives, Quantis managed all calculations of the reduction scenarios and ensured targets were compliant and competitive. Quantis conducted a rigorous quality check of the scenarios’ results, ensuring that recommendations for improvement were precise, actionable and aligned with Reckitt’s sustainability initiatives.

Results

Identifying reduction initiatives

Drawing on Quantis’ decarbonization expertise and CO2 AI’s visualization and simulation capabilities, a number of macro-initiatives were strategically crafted to maximize Reckitt’s impact while minimizing disruption. 

For example, when looking at ingredients, the collaboration identified the top 25 substances, comprising a majority of emissions from raw materials and packaging. This information can then help inform decisions about the ingredients used, their development, and discussions with suppliers about potential actions they can take to lower emissions. 

Building a reduction roadmap

In just under four months, Reckitt obtained precise emissions data for each of its 25,000 products, improving the accuracy of its emissions footprint by 75 times. This data revealed several new ways to reduce Reckitt’s emissions by 2030 and significantly contribute toward its net zero target. Quantis’ contributions were critical in developing the robust reduction roadmap, ensuring that the initiatives were scientifically sound and aligned with the latest sustainability standards. 

Empowering action and ensuring accountability

As Reckitt advances on its sustainability journey, its focus now shifts toward empowering operational teams – including procurement – to drive action.  

These teams can now visualize the impact of their initiatives on Reckitt’s overarching sustainability goals, fostering accountability across all levels of the organization – from individual contributors up to the Global Executive Committee – and positively contributing to their industry-leading targets.  

• Scope 3 Emissions Reduction + Reduction Roadmap

• Digital Transformation

• Cosmetics + Personal Care