A.S. Watson Health & Beauty Benelux BV
Climate Impact & Sustainability Data (2021)
Reporting Period: 2021
Environmental Metrics
Total Carbon Emissions:23,881 tCO2e/year
Scope 1 Emissions:22,863 tCO2e/year (2019)
Scope 2 Emissions:6,957 tCO2e/year (2019)
Renewable Energy Share:100%
Total Energy Consumption:434,081 GJ/year
Waste Generated:21,371 tons/year
ESG Focus Areas
- Climate change
- Deforestation and biodiversity loss
- Plastic
- Diversity and inclusion
- More sustainable lifestyle
- Supply chain responsibility
- Sustainable raw materials
- More sustainable packaging
- Sustainable business operations
- Employee vitality
- Social involvement
Environmental Achievements
- Achieved 50% reduction in CO2 emissions by 2020 compared to 2015 levels (adjusted target to 75% by 2025)
- 100% renewable electricity in Netherlands and Belgium stores
- Reduced plastic consumption by more than 40,000 kilograms annually through lighter packaging of dietary supplements
- 97% of paper and wood used in H&B products was FSC or PEFC certified
- 82% of palm oil used is mass-balanced RSPO certified
- 91% of total waste recycled
Social Achievements
- Launched Kruidvat Pure & Soft climate-neutral nappies
- Created 304 jobs for people distanced from the labor market
- 4,289 employees with professional drugstore diploma
- Integral approach to employee vitality
- Supported various social initiatives including food banks and Operation Smile
Governance Achievements
- Established a Sustainability Steering Committee to oversee ESG initiatives
- Implemented a risk management framework to address sustainability-related risks
- Participated in the Transparency Benchmark of the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Change
Climate Goals & Targets
Medium-term Goals:
- 75% reduction in CO2 emissions by 2025 compared to 2015 levels
- 100% RSPO certified palm oil by 2025
- 100% FSC or PEFC certified wood and paper by 2025
- 100% certified cardboard/paper, 100% recyclable plastic, 25% reduction in conventional plastic use by 2025
Short-term Goals:
- Complete the process of making packaging for dietary supplements thinner by early Q4 2022
Environmental Challenges
- Increased CO2 emissions in 2021 compared to 2020 due to factors like Belgian stores remaining open and colder weather
- Balancing affordability with sustainability in product offerings
- Availability of sustainable raw materials
- Challenges in making packaging for food contact items more sustainable
- Staffing shortages
Mitigation Strategies
- Implementing energy-saving measures in stores
- Working with suppliers to improve sustainability of raw materials and packaging
- Exploring alternative sourcing strategies
- Phased approach to improving sustainability of product packaging
- Offering internal training and advancement opportunities to employees
Supply Chain Management
Supplier Audits: 99.6% of products from high-risk countries had social compliance audits conducted
Responsible Procurement
- BSCI compliance for own-brand suppliers
- Requirements for sustainable raw materials and working conditions
Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities
Physical Risks
- Floods
- Heavy rain
- Hail
- Heat waves
- Temperature increase and drought
- Land scarcity
- Rising sea level
Transition Risks
- Unavailability of raw materials
- Increasing legislation on sustainability
Opportunities
- Ensuring availability of sustainable raw materials in the long term
- Attracting and retaining young talent
Reporting Standards
Frameworks Used: GRI Standards ‘Core’
UN Sustainable Development Goals
- SDG 3
- SDG 8
- SDG 10
- SDG 12
- SDG 13
- SDG 17
Initiatives contribute to these goals through various aspects of sustainability
Sustainable Products & Innovation
- Kruidvat Pure & Soft nappies
- Kruidvat Solait products without microplastics