Currys plc
Climate Impact & Sustainability Data (2020-05 to 2021-04, 2022-05 to 2023-04, 2023-04-30 to 2024-04-27)
Reporting Period: 2020-05 to 2021-04
Environmental Metrics
ESG Focus Areas
- Environment
- Social
- Governance
Environmental Achievements
- 4% Reduction in Scope 1 and 2 emissions against a 2019/20 baseline
- 100% of our properties on the UK Mainland and in the Nordics (where we are responsible for supply contract) are powered by renewable electricity.
- Met target to divert 95% of operational waste from landfill by 2022.
- In 2020, our UK operation generated 4% less waste year on year.
Social Achievements
- £1m pledged to The Learning Foundation to combat digital poverty
- 765 Total number of trained Mental Health Champions and accredited Mental First Aiders
- 1,000 premium refurbished laptops donated to charity
- 1,155 refurbished devices to community causes
Governance Achievements
- Repeated inclusion in the FTSE4Good UK Index
- Maintained a ‘B’ score in the Carbon Disclosure Project
- Achieved a ‘1’ score for ISS ESG Environment
Climate Goals & Targets
- Net zero emissions by 2040
- 100% electric or alternative fuel vehicles by 2030
- Reduce absolute Scope 1 and Scope 2 GHG emissions by 50% by 2029/30 from a 2019/20 base year
- Reduce absolute Scope 3 GHG emissions by 50% by 2029/30
- Zero operational waste to landfill in the UK and Ireland by 2024/25
- 100% LED coverage in all new buildings by 2025
Environmental Challenges
- RIDDOR accidents increased by 7% compared to 2019/20
- Scope 3 emissions account for over 90% of total emissions
- Need to reduce plastic packaging
- Addressing digital poverty
Mitigation Strategies
- Renewed focus on manual handling accidents to identify root causes
- Programme of activities involving suppliers, manufacturers, and colleague engagement to reduce Scope 3 emissions
- Working with suppliers to reduce plastic packaging; removed 1.7m individual pieces of plastic packaging
- £1 million donation to The Learning Foundation to combat digital poverty
Supply Chain Management
Responsible Procurement
- Standards for Responsible Sourcing
- Modern Slavery Policy
- ETI Base Code compliance
Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities
Physical Risks
- Not disclosed
Transition Risks
- Not disclosed
Opportunities
- Not disclosed
Reporting Standards
Frameworks Used: TCFD
Certifications: ISO 50001 (Energy Management System)
Third-party Assurance: Lucideon
Reporting Period: 2022-05 to 2023-04
Environmental Metrics
ESG Focus Areas
- Circular economy
- Climate change
- Digital poverty
Environmental Achievements
- 18% year-on-year reduction in Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions
- 103,000 tonnes of e-waste collected across the Group for reuse or recycling
- 1.3 million repairs across the Group to keep tech working
- A- score for climate change in CDP
- 8th position in the Financial Times annual Climate Leaders Rankings
- Removed 3.6 million items of plastic packaging from own label and licensed brand products
Social Achievements
- Launched Tech4Families program, delivering 586 laptops to families in need
- Raised over £244,000 for Tech4Families
- 1,600 Kotsovolos colleagues organised and participated in 45 different projects for Good Deed Day
- Donated £250,000 to FareShare, providing 1 million meals to families in need
- Launched 'Quiet Hour' in UK stores for neurodiverse customers
Governance Achievements
- Established an ESG Committee of the Board
- Maintained a BBB score in the MSCI ESG Ratings assessment
- Received an ESG Risk Rating of 12.7 and assessed by Sustainalytics to be at low risk of experiencing material financial impacts from ESG factors
Climate Goals & Targets
- Achieve net zero emissions by 2040
- Reduce Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions by 50% absolute across the Group by 2029/30
- Reduce absolute Scope 3 GHG emissions from purchased goods and services and use of sold products by 50% by 2029/30
- Operate 100% LED coverage in all new buildings by 2025
- Expand Tech4Families into Northern Ireland and other areas
Environmental Challenges
- Supply chain disruptions due to climate events
- High cost of HVO fuel
- Limited availability of 7.5 tonne EVs
- Immature charging infrastructure for commercial vehicles in the UK
- Complexity of Scope 3 emissions reduction
Mitigation Strategies
- Trialing electric and low-carbon alternative fuelled vehicles
- Replacing gas heating systems with heat pumps
- Installing solar panels on vans
- Introducing a new cross-functional, Group-wide working group to develop and enhance our approach to reducing Scope 3 emissions
- Working with key suppliers to establish a best practice model and approach to Scope 3 emissions
Supply Chain Management
Supplier Audits: Over 50% of Group spend now assessed for sustainability and 45% for carbon maturity via EcoVadis
Responsible Procurement
- Standards for Responsible Sourcing
- Child Labour Remediation Policy
- Conflict Minerals Policy
- Anti-Bribery, Gifts and Hospitality Policy
Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities
Physical Risks
- Extreme heat
- Extreme precipitation
- Wildfire
Transition Risks
- Changes in energy costs
- Shifting consumer preferences
Opportunities
- Use of more efficient modes of transport
- Use of lower-emission sources of energy
- Reduction in energy usage
- Increased demand for sustainable products and services
Reporting Standards
Frameworks Used: CDP, TCFD
Certifications: ISO 50001:2018, ISO 14001
Third-party Assurance: KPMG LLP
UN Sustainable Development Goals
- Goal 7 (Affordable and clean energy)
- Goal 9 (Industry, innovation and infrastructure)
- Goal 10 (Reduced inequalities)
- Goal 12 (Responsible consumption and production)
- Goal 13 (Climate action)
Initiatives contribute to these goals through energy efficiency measures, circular economy initiatives, support for digital inclusion, and climate change mitigation efforts.
Sustainable Products & Innovation
- Energy-efficient appliances
- Refurbished products
Awards & Recognition
- Retail Week Award for ‘game-changing customer service’
- Outstanding Achievement Award from Pennies
Reporting Period: 2023-04-30 to 2024-04-27
Environmental Metrics
ESG Focus Areas
- Circular business models
- Net zero emissions by 2040
- Eradicating digital poverty
Environmental Achievements
- 15.8% year-on-year reduction in Scope 1 & 2 market-based emissions
- 12.7% year-on-year reduction in Scope 3 emissions
- 8.1 million units of e-waste collected across the Group for reuse or recycling
- 52% reduction in Scope 1, 2 & 3 emissions against a 2019/20 baseline
Social Achievements
- Expanded Tech4Families into Northern Ireland and the Lincolnshire Coast
- Group eSat score of 81 (+3pts YoY)
- UK&I eSat score of 84 (+3pts YoY)
- Nordics eSat score of 78 (+4pts YoY)
Governance Achievements
- Improved MSCI ESG Ratings to 'A'
- ESG Risk Rating of 13.8 (Sustainalytics)
- Formalized TCFD Steering Group
Climate Goals & Targets
- Achieve net zero emissions by 2040
- Transition 100% of company cars and small van fleet and 50% of our medium to heavy fleet to electric or alternative fuel by 2030
- Reduce Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions by 50% absolute across the Group by 2029/30 from a 2019/20 base year
- Reduce absolute Scope 3 GHG emissions from purchased goods and services and use of sold products by 50% by 2029/30
Environmental Challenges
- Weak consumer demand in Nordics due to inflation and interest rate rises
- Soft market in UK&I declining (3)% YoY
- Lead times for EV supply, high cost of HVO fuel, limited 7.5 tonne EV options
- Complexity of Scope 3 emissions reduction due to global supplier base and varying decarbonization journeys
Mitigation Strategies
- Disciplined focus on margins and costs in Nordics
- Focus on more profitable sales in UK&I
- Investing over £3m in the next three years to transition away from diesel vehicles
- Supplier engagement trial using EcoVadis Carbon Action Module, introducing climate-related questions into GNFR tenders, improving primary data mapping for Scope 3 emissions
Supply Chain Management
Supplier Audits: 68 audits of own label and licensed brand suppliers
Responsible Procurement
- Standards for Responsible Sourcing
- Child Labour Remediation Policy
- Conflict Minerals Policy
- Anti-Bribery, Gifts and Hospitality Policy
Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities
Physical Risks
- Extreme heat
- Extreme precipitation
- Extreme fire risk
Transition Risks
- Increased energy costs
- Compliance with environmental legislation and taxes
Opportunities
- Use of more efficient transport and energy sources
- Commercial opportunities from market and consumer preference shifts
- Reputation as a leading responsible business
Reporting Standards
Frameworks Used: TCFD
Certifications: ISO 50001:2018, ISO 14001
Third-party Assurance: KPMG LLP
UN Sustainable Development Goals
- Goal 7
- Goal 8
- Goal 12
- Goal 13
Initiatives contribute to these goals through circular economy, climate action, and digital poverty reduction efforts
Sustainable Products & Innovation
- Energy-efficient appliances
- Refurbished products
- Smart home devices
Awards & Recognition
- 2nd retailer in the Financial Times Climate Leaders 2024 rankings for Europe
- MSCI ESG Ratings 'A' rating