RS Group has retained its place on the CDP A List for 2025, once again placing us in the top 4% of companies globally for climate leadership.
CDP is the most extensive and prestigious benchmark of climate action and disclosure globally, with two-thirds of global market capitalisation, from 130 countries, disclosing critical environmental data through CDP.
The A List is reserved for those companies showing advanced climate leadership, and this recognition reflects the progress RS is making across its 2030 ESG action plan, from cutting carbon and decarbonising logistics, to expanding the Better World product range and working closely with suppliers to build a more sustainable industrial value chain for its customers.
Key highlights driving this achievement at H1 2025/26 include:
Carbon emissions: Down 64% since our 2019/20 baseline, thanks to net zero initiatives in our distribution centres and fleet. A number of our key sites are powered by solar panels and almost half of our global fleet is now electric or hybrid. This year we switched our RS UK Safety Solutions HGVs from diesel to biofuels, made from food waste like vegetable oil and changed our RS Locals vans to electric.
Greener packaging: 89% of packaging now includes over 50% recycled content, and 95% is recyclable. We’ve also introduced a bio-based polymer into plastic carriers used for small electronic items at our Corby site – helping to cut single-use plastic and support circular solutions.
Logistics decarbonisation: Product transport emissions intensity is down 35% since our 2019/20 baseline, supported by logistics optimisation to reduce distance travelled and the switch to electric last mile – all enabled by our regional distribution model and our logistics carriers prioritising sustainability.
Better World products: Our flagship sustainability initiative now includes c.33,000 products from 140+ suppliers, and we have plans to expand the range even further in 2026 via Better World solutions, which help customers run their businesses more sustainably.
Supplier collaboration: We work in partnership with our suppliers to prioritise carbon reductions, optimise sourcing and distribution routes and improve the sustainability benefits and features of their products. 40% have set science-based targets, 57% have joined EcoVadis, and 78% of RS PRO suppliers are Sedex members.
Andrea Barrett, Chief Sustainability Officer, said: “Being on the CDP A List reflects our leadership on climate change and the efforts of our teams and partners across the global industrial value chain to reduce environmental impacts while creating long-term value for our stakeholders.”
“There’s still more to do, and we’re working closely with suppliers to drive value for the environment and our stakeholders through sustainable products, carbon reductions, and greater transparency.’’
More information about our sustainability approach can be found here.
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Author: Thobile Ndlovu from NGAGE on behalf of RS South Africa.
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