B&Q has become the first major UK home improvement retailer to introduce renewable BioLPG across its Flogas propane gas bottle range through a certified mass-balance approach, helping to reduce the carbon impact associated with the products it sells without changing the way customers use their gas bottles.
The move will see certified BioLPG equivalent to 10% of the propane gas bottle volumes sold through B&Q purchased and allocated through a certified mass-balance approach.
The introduction of BioLPG forms part of B&Q’s wider sustainability strategy and demonstrates how working with vendors to introduce lower-carbon alternatives can help reduce emissions across its value chain. The initiative reduces the fossil fuel content associated with the LPG volumes supplied to B&Q through the allocation of certified renewable BioLPG.
BioLPG is produced from renewable feedstocks and supplied through a certified mass-balance approach, an industry-recognised chain-of-custody method that enables renewable volumes and their associated sustainability attributes to be tracked through the supply chain. Under this approach, the 10% commitment applies across B&Q’s propane gas bottle volumes. It does not mean that BioLPG is physically present in any specific individual gas bottle. Certification and allocation of the relevant renewable attributes helps to ensure they are not double counted.
The BioLPG volumes allocated to B&Q are certified under ISCC EU, which verifies compliance with the sustainability and greenhouse gasses saving criteria of the EU Renewable Energy Directive. BioLPG cylinder volumes can also be certified through the Green Gas Certification Scheme (GGCS), supporting transparency and traceability of renewable gas volumes through the supply chain.
Samantha Dyer, Head of Responsible Business at B&Q said: “As the first major UK home improvement retailer to take this step, we’re demonstrating how established product categories can contribute to decarbonisation efforts. We will continue working with our partners to identify scalable solutions that support our sustainability ambitions and help reduce the carbon impact of the products we sell.”
Emma Dodds, business development manager at Flogas Britain, said: “Renewable fuels have an important role to play in helping organisations reduce emissions today while supporting the transition to a lower-carbon future. We’re proud to be working with B&Q on this initiative, which demonstrates how businesses can use established supply chains and existing infrastructure to increase the adoption of renewable energy solutions.”
This initiative involves the purchase of certified renewable fuel volumes through the LPG supply chain, with the associated renewable attributes allocated to B&Q on a mass-balance basis. BioLPG has equivalent end-use characteristics to conventional LPG, so renewable volumes can be introduced through existing LPG infrastructure and equipment without requiring changes to customers’ appliances or how they use their gas bottles, subject to normal safety and equipment requirements.
This initiative represents another important milestone in B&Q’s sustainability journey and highlights the role retailers can play in accelerating the adoption of lower-carbon technologies through purchasing decisions and supplier partners.
