A.S. Watson bares new sustainability targets

This includes reducing GHG emissions in its operations.

International health and beauty retailer A.S. Watson announced its new sustainability targets to accelerate its contribution to fighting climate change which include reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions,

These new targets include reducing Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions by 50% by 2030, and lower Scope 3 GHG emissions from purchased goods and services, upstream transportation, and distribution by 58% per dollar economic value added by 2030, both from a 2018 baseline.

A.S. Watson also pledged that 33% of its suppliers by emissions, including purchased goods and services, upstream transportation and distribution will have science-based targets by 2027.

“These new GHG emissions reduction targets are proof of our commitment to accelerate our sustainability efforts to build a better world for all,”  said Malina Ngai, Group Chief Operating Officer of A.S. Watson and CEO of A.S. Watson (Asia and Europe). 

“On top of our actions to fight climate change, we’ve also reinforced our commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs), extending our coverage to 15 out of 17 UNSDGs which include the usage of clean energy and the introduction of climate actions,” she added.

This comes following A.S. Watson's reduction of emissions by 42% by the end-2021, exceeding its target announced in 2019 to reduce Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 40% by 2030 from a 2015 baseline.

It will start with the Greener Stores Global Framework which focuses on enhancing energy efficiency and using renewable energy, noting that in 2021, 74% of the company’s GHG emissions were attributable to electricity consumption.

A.S. Watson achieved 100% renewable electricity for its business in the UK, Belgium, and the Netherlands, with renewable electricity now making comprising 86% of its European portfolio.

The health and beauty retailer is also tapping its customers for its climate goals by encouraging them to choose more sustainable products and a greener lifestyle.

Watsons is also planning to launch a Sustainability virtual reality (VR) hub in markets including Hong Kong, Taiwan, Thailand, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Indonesia, Vietnam and Turkey “to promote and motivate its customers to make behavioural changes that would contribute to a more sustainable planet,” to celebrate the World Environment Day.