Reckitt: Using Gen AI to cut Scope 3 emissions

Reckitt, a leader in health, hygiene, and nutrition products, set strong pioneering sustainability targets to strengthen performance and build resilience within its products and supply chains. The company aims to cut its Scope 3 emissions by 50% by 2030 (vs 2015 base year) and achieve Net Zero by 2040. 

The company has already surpassed its initial targets for direct emissions and is now focusing on reducing Scope 3 emissions with its extensive network of suppliers.

Getting actionable Scope 3 data

Scope 3 emissions represent on average 96% of a company’s total emissions. Reckitt is working with CO2 AI and Quantis to address this challenge, leveraging their sustainability expertise and technology to drive decarbonization efforts at scale. 

The focus is shifting activity from measuring for reporting, to measuring for decision-making. This involves getting more detailed insights into emissions per product, based on actual operations, with a high level of granularity. In 2023, Reckitt collected over 300,000 data points to refine its baseline.

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Using Gen AI to build a faster and more accurate footprint 

CO2 AI features Generative AI capabilities to transform these additional data points into a faster and more accurate carbon footprint. 

The proprietary technology matches the most relevant emission factor to each activity line in a matter of minutes, in a transparent and automated manner. This process previously involved manual categorization, which was both time-consuming and less precise. 

For instance, one brand shifted from using 18 representative products to 2,190 unique items, which enabled them to quadruple the number of emission factors used — paving the way for targeted action with suppliers or ingredients.

Identifying reduction initiatives

Reckitt tasked CO2 AI and Quantis to help identify priority areas to reduce carbon emissions across their product footprint to reach their 2030 target.

Drawing on Quantis' decarbonization expertise and CO2 AI's visualization and simulation capabilities, a number of macro initiatives have been strategically crafted to maximize impact while minimizing disruption and maintaining product efficacy. These are being evaluated for progressive implementation with Reckitt’s transition plan.

For example, when looking at ingredients, the collaboration dived into the top 25 substances, comprising a majority of emissions from raw materials and packaging. This information can then help inform decisions about the ingredients used, their development, and discussions with suppliers about potential actions they can take to lower emissions.

Building the reduction roadmap

In just under four months, Reckitt obtained precise emissions data for each of its 25,000 products, improving the accuracy of its emissions footprint by 75 times — moving from 333 representative products to 25,000. This data has revealed new ways to reduce emissions by 2030 and significantly contribute toward the Net Zero target.

Empowering action and ensuring accountability

Reckitt is empowering operational teams within Brands, R&D, and Procurement, to drive action.

These teams will be equipped to visualize the impact of their initiatives on Reckitt's overarching sustainability goals. This fosters accountability across all levels of the organization, from individual contributors up to the Global Executive Committee.