Results of Rexel’s first global carbon footprint assessment

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In late 2010, Rexel conducted its first global carbon footprint assessment. The Group used the French Bilan Carbone® method designed by ADEME, transposed to the GHG Protocol, and selected six key banners operating in North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific as their reference points, accounting for over 70% of commercial and operational activity.

The study showed that transport was responsible for nearly 80% of total emissions, 66% of this coming from product shipping (including supplier deliveries and customer travel) and 13% for employee travels. Such a high percentage figure is characteristic of the distribution industry. Rexel, as a services company, emits little CO2 on its own (direct emissions) but indirectly generates greenhouse gases. The study also made it possible to model complex workflows (from supplier plants to end-user sites) across geographies of varying profile and demonstrated the gaping disparities between countries, when it comes to “business carbon intensity”.

As a committed corporate citizen taking part in the Carbon Disclosure Project, Rexel intends to continue its efforts to control and lower its CO2 emissions. This will first require optimising its supply chain (via pooled transport, optimised delivery schedules, e-commerce development, etc.), lower energy consumption in buildings and raising employee awareness to a “carbon culture” (greener vehicle fleet, promoting video conferences, etc).