First global initiative launched to decarbonise the DIY sector
Make it Zero, a global initiative to support the decarbonisation of the Do-it-Yourself (DIY) and Home Improvement Sector has been launched at the 4th Virtual DIY-Summit (27th September).
This trailblazing comprehensive sustainability initiative represents a transformative commitment to achieving net-zero carbon emissions across the entire DIY and Home Improvement Sector supply chain. Essential near-term targets are set for 2035, and long-term targets are to achieve a minimum 90% reduction in absolute emissions by 2050.
Following the development of the Scope 3 Initiative, a Decarbonisation Strategy and Implementation Programme spearheaded by the industry association EDRA/GHIN, Make it Zero focuses on reducing Scope 3 emissions, which are those produced by an organisation's supply chain.
Make it Zero will focus on four areas:
- Accounting – Adopting a greenhouse gas (GHG) accounting framework and aligning with the best carbon accounting practices.
- Supplier Data – Collaborating with members and suppliers to share universal emissions data.
- Targets – Uniting behind ambitious targets to decarbonise the sector.
- Engagement and Reduction – Taking action to decarbonise.
The initiative's slogan, ‘Working Together to Decarbonise the DIY sector’, highlights the necessity of retailers and suppliers collaborating on a pre-competitive and voluntary basis. This is essential to determine how best to encourage innovation and work towards a more circular and carbon-efficient economy, ensuring the most significant effect on decarbonisation.
Results from a survey conducted on EDRA/GHIN members show that Scope 3 emissions can represent up to 98% of a DIY retailer’s total emissions, so efforts to reduce these will undoubtedly be challenging but also meaningful and rewarding.
‘Nobody needs to be reminded that humanity is facing its biggest challenge ever in global climate change, caused by carbon emissions and other greenhouse gases. Immediate action to reduce emissions is crucial worldwide, and there is perhaps no retail sector globally more capable and motivated to do this than the home improvement sector.’ – John Herbert,General Secretary, EDRA/GHIN.
Jamie Pitcairn, Technical Director for Sustainability at Ricardo, who has been supporting EDRA/GHIN in developing the Scope 3 Initiative, will provide a full introduction to the Make it Zero initiative at a free one-hour webinar on 15th October at 13:00 CEST. The webinar will include an overview of the initiative and an introduction to Scope 3 emissions. It will explore the role of retailers and suppliers in sector-wide decarbonisation, the sector's most pressing challenges and priorities, and what’s next for Make it Zero.