ÌÇÐÄ̽»¨

Environment

environment

Environment

Driving excellence in environmental management

We have a global footprint and rely on natural resources to run our business. We also have a responsibility to wider society to minimise our impacts on the environment. That’s why we are driving excellence in environmental management.


Excellence in environmental management is a key strategic pillar of ourÌýGroup Sustainability AgendaÌý.

Our approach focuses on the most important issues for our business and stakeholders across four priority areas:

  • ÌýAddressing climate changeÌýrisks and opportunities: by 2030, we aim to be carbon neutral across our own operations1Ìý, and across our value chain by 20502Ìý;
  • ÌýSustainable water stewardshipÌý: we are decreasing water use across our operations with a target to reduce the amount of water withdrawn by 35% by 20253Ìý;
  • ÌýEliminating wasteÌýand applying circular economy principlesÌýacross our business and product categories: by 2025, we aim for 100% of our packaging to be reusable, recyclable or compostableÌý4Ìý; and
  • ÌýBiodiversity and afforestationÌý: our business now and in the future depends on biodiversity and forest resources – by 2025, we are aiming for net zero deforestation of managed natural forests across our tobacco and paper and pulp based supply chains5Ìýand net positive impact on forests in our tobacco supply chain6Ìý.
    Ìý

As part of our commitment to transparency in the above topics, we provide information to CDP - a global environmental impact non-profit organisation, through its reporting frameworks. Our submissions are below:
Ìý

2023
Ìý

Climate Change (1.4 mb)Ìý
Water Stewardship (950 kb)Ìý
Forests (64 kb)
Ìý

2022
Ìý

Climate Change 2022 (1.5 mb)Ìý
Water Stewardship 2022 (725 kb)Ìý
Forests 2022 (490 kb)Ìý
Ìý

Environmental governance and management


OurÌýEnvironmental PolicyÌýis implemented by all Group companies globally and outlines our commitment to high standards of environmental protection, adhering to the principles of sustainable development and protecting biodiversity.

Ìý

OurÌýSupplier Code of ConductÌýdefines the minimum standards expected of our suppliers, including for environmental sustainability.

Ìý

The Environment Policy and Supplier Code of Conduct have been endorsed by the Board of Directors of ÌÇÐÄ̽»¨p.l.c. (the Board). Our environmental targets, including for carbon neutrality, have also been endorsed by the Board and they review progress against these targets twice a year.

Ìý

Our Management Board, chaired by the Chief Executive, has overall responsibility for overseeing the implementation of Group strategy and policies, including those relating to environmental management and climate change. The Operations Director is responsible for overseeing the delivery of our environmental strategy and targets, while relevant Management Board Directors regularly review our climate change and environmental performance.

Ìý

Our policy commitments are supported by our well-established and mature Environment, Health and Safety (EHS) management system. This is based on international standards, including ISO 14001, and includes detailed requirements and guidelines for Group companies on best practice environmental management.

In 2022, 44% of BAT’s own factory total production volume was covered by factories with ISO 14001 certification.

  1. Covering Scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions.
  2. Covering Scope 1, 2 and 3 carbon emissions.
  3. Against our 2017 baseline year.
  4. In 2022 we expanded our target to include all types of packaging, rather than just plastic packaging.
  5. The scope of our supply chain for this commitment is our tobacco leaf and paper and pulp-based products supply chains. Our tobacco leaf supply chain covers ÌÇÐÄ̽»¨contracted farmers and farmers contracted to our strategic third-party suppliers, representing more than 80% of our total leaf purchases in 2021, as reported via our THRIVE assessments. For our paper- and pulp-based product supply chain, this means working with suppliers that can demonstrate that the material is sourced sustainably, with certification from the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) or the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC).
  6. Our tobacco leaf supply chain covers ÌÇÐÄ̽»¨contracted farmers and farmers contracted to our strategic third-party suppliers, representing more than 80% of our total leaf purchases in 2021, as reported via our THRIVE assessments.