Wickes, one of the UK’s largest home improvement retailers, has chosen leading sustainability data management platform Sweep to gain a granular understanding of its carbon emissions, including those generated within its supply chains.
Wickes today announces that it is partnering with Sweep, a leading sustainability data management platform, in order to build a more detailed understanding of its carbon footprint across its entire value chain, and to make progress against its ambitious near-term science based targets. This is a key part of the retailer’s approach to sustainability, which is set out in its Responsible Business Strategy – Built to Last.
By partnering with Sweep, Wickes aims to examine its complex supply chain emissions (the most significant source of its “Scope 3” greenhouse gas emissions) in multiple ways. This includes direct supplier engagement to obtain more granular product level data, and connecting Sweep with other tools to provide a streamlined reporting experience for suppliers.
Wickes’ chief commercial officer, Mark Cooke, said: “At Wickes we recognise the substantial risk that climate change poses to humanity and the environment and we are committed to playing our part to achieve the UK’s 2050 net zero target. Given that 95% of Wickes’ carbon footprint originates from the products we offer, strategic collaboration with our supplier partners is essential for us to make meaningful progress towards decarbonising our business. Achieving this requires robust product data and the ability to clearly identify key emission hotspots. The Sweep platform will be instrumental in enabling this data-driven approach.”
Sweep’s CEO and co-founder Rachel Delacour adds: “We are delighted to be working with Wickes, providing the tools to master its sustainability data, integrate it into its business roadmap and build resilience for the future. By gaining a granular understanding of the impacts of their activities and those of their value chain, organisations can anticipate climate and regulatory risks, turn sustainability into a competitive advantage, and ensure the long-lasting success of their operations.”
Wickes already shares information on its environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance in its annual financial report and on its corporate website (e.g. Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) standard for its sector). It has received recognition for increasing transparency with ESG: it’s included in the FTSE4Good index, has achieved a MSCI ‘AAA’ rating, and a CDP Climate Change ‘B’ score.
By leveraging the Sweep platform, Wickes will enhance its work to demonstrate progress by disclosing sustainability performance, thereby building increased trust with stakeholders.
