Together with Reckitt for a Cleaner, Healthier World

Climate change is urgent and needs to be addressed with speed. That means that we – like all businesses – need to intensify our environmental efforts. Reckitt’s 2030 ambitions for a Cleaner, Healthier World deliver more sustainable product innovation and a commitment to carbon neutrality by 2040 – a decade ahead of the world's goal of 2050. 

We are committed to reducing our carbon emissions from our sites by 65% and to power our operations with 100% renewable electricity by 2030. We can achieve these goals through partnerships and our purpose-led brands, like Finish’s ambition to reduce global water wastage, as we continue to improve our environmental impact. 

Climate change is the single biggest challenge of our time, with serious implications for the planet, people and public health. Today, nearly 13 million deaths per year are linked to environmental factors such as air pollution, infectious diseases and extreme weather events. By 2100, over 40% of the world’s population will be exposed to extreme heat episodes. The yearly burden of temperature-related mortality alone is projected to reach 4.6 million per year – on par with the current impact of obesity.  

To address this mounting challenge, we must focus on both hygiene and climate, as we know both are building blocks of health and wellbeing. Self-care and illness prevention will play an ever-greater role in reducing the strain on healthcare systems globally. Through innovation and health education, Reckitt can and will support prevention and self-care to complement formal public health actions. That partnership was demonstrated in the pandemic and will become increasingly important. 

Positive business action starts with addressing our impact on the environment and making a difference in the communities where we operate. In Hull, where the Reckitt story began over 180 years ago, we are convening 30 businesses and organisations in a Living Lab initiative to turn the city into a hub with net zero carbon emissions.

We’re working in partnership with national and local Government and the Confederation of British Industries on a programme called ‘Levelling Up Hull’. It aims for Hull to be recognised as the first place in the UK to achieve net zero carbon emissions across all aspects of society. We’ll share this knowledge and experience with other cities around the world aiming for net zero. 

At the Reckitt Green Zone stand, we address how climate change affects the planet, people and public health – and how business, government and individuals can work together for a cleaner, healthier world.

The scale of the problem is immense. But whilst large we know that businesses like us play a unique role, we can’t do this alone. This problem is bigger than any one of us. To tackle it, we all need to work together. That’s why we are helping our consumers reduce their own footprints through our purpose-led brands. From big changes to small habits, we can all make a difference.

Even the way you wash your hands can have an impact on the climate. Did you know washing your hands with cold water and soap is just as effective as washing your hands with hot water and soap? And it’s better for the environment – the carbon emissions required by people in the UK washing their hands in heated water is equivalent to 285,000 cars on the road per year.