DAVE CHALLIS¹
1. Reckitt Benckiser Group plc, 215 Bath Road. Slough, Berkshire SL1 4AA, United Kingdom

Abstract

Reckitt Benckiser launched a new sustainability strategy in 2012. The strategy is based on an analysis of key global trends and was developed to integrate with a new business vision and purpose. It builds on the company’s key strengths of innovation and a tight focus on consumer needs and focuses on the changing role and needs of women as well as increasing water scarcity – two global megatrends RB could make a contribution towards. Three global hard targets have been set and below them specific functional targets have also been developed. The strategy will be delivered through innovations in design and production and communications with consumers that will enable more sustainable choices.

INTRODUCTION
Reckitt Benckiser (RB) has a lengthy and substantial record of action on sustainability dating back to the 1990s. This includes reducing water use by 16 percent per unit of production since 2000 and beating our 2020 carbon emissions target (to reduce the carbon footprint per dose of product by 20 percent) – based on the full product lifecycle and not just our own operations – eight years early. We have also made great strides on health and safety and are one of the leading global corporate partners for the global charity Save the Children.
In late 2011 we decided it was time to review our progress and integrate the various actions in a new strategy that responds to the big trends we are all facing. The timing was appropriate because it also coincided with a new chief executive and the development of a new business strategy. Our sustainability strategy launched in September 2012, building on the bus ...