Environment

The business strategy that drives RB to outperform its peers is also embedded with an absolute commitment to run the business in a way that is responsible, environmentally sound and sustainable.



The results are clear. RB has held platinum status in the UK's Business in the Community Corporate Responsibility Index since 2005, topping the index in 2008. RB was also awarded top status in the US Environmental Protection Agency's Design for the Environment Safer Detergents Stewardship Initiative.


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Sustainability Report 2008

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Go to our report archive area to find out more information for previous years.

RB's sustainability work among the very best in the world

Reckitt Benckiser entered the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index (DJSI World) - the top10% in the world - and been ranked among the top 12 performers in the world in the Carbon Disclosure Leadership Index.

To be included in the index, RB had to demonstrate strong programmes of control and performance in areas such as climate change mitigation, supply chain standards health & safety, labour practices, risk management and corporate governance.

In the Carbon Disclosure Index, RB has been ranked amongst the top 12 in the world in terms of actual performance in responding to and reducing our contribution to climate change.

In addition, RB has maintained its position in the several FTSE4Good indices in their Annual September 2009 review.

These achievements are only possible thanks to the hard work RB people globally put in to improve our environmental sustainability and corporate responsibility.

Carbon20 (C20) is RB’s long term commitment to tackle the real impact of our products’ lifecycle on climate change by addressing their Total Carbon Footprint from cradle to grave.

The aim is to reduce our products’ Total Carbon Footprint by 20% per dose by 2020.

My position allows me to play a dual-role:

1. Global Carbon20 team member

2. Local Carbon20 Champion for SE Asia

Based in Gurgaon, India, I contribute to the C20 team through data collection, processing and compiling results quarterly to track C20 impacts from new project launches. A part of my job includes suggesting improvements to the data collection and measurement methodology. This includes capturing the difference in consumer habits, such as hand and body washing, in SE Asian countries. I do this through consumer studies and market research. I’m also responsible for training my colleagues in SE Asia and serving as a local point of contact for questions and queries.



These initiatives show how RB puts its commitment to environmentally sound and sustainable business into action.

Carbon 20

is RB's bold initiative to reduce its products' total carbon footprint by 20% by 2020. That will save around 4m tonnes of CO2 equivalents in annual emissions, which is like taking more than one million medium-sized family cars off the road

Our Home Our Planet

is a new RB initiative that shows consumers how to reduce their own carbon footprint when they use RB products. Simple steps that save energy, resources – and money

Trees for Change

is RB's major forestation project to offset four years worth of greenhouse gas emissions from its global manufacturing energy use

Copenhagen Communiqué on Climate Change

is the definitive progressive statement from the international business community ahead of the United Nations climate change conference in Copenhagen in December 2009. RB is proud to be a core signatory

Save Energy and Water Project

An initiative of A.I.S.E, the International Association for Soaps, Detergents and Maintenance Products