Univar CO2 policy could go global

Supply Management, Jul 5, 2007

[Environment]

An environmental strategy developed by the UK buying team at chemical firm Univar could be applied internationally.

The policy, which measures carbon emissions from the company's fleet and operations, aims to reduce its CO2 by 20 per cent by 2010.

Andrew Goldsworthy, purchasing manager for UK and Ireland, told SM: "I think this will be reflected in the group - other regions will start taking this forward."

Procurement was included in the process by the firm's chief executive, who wanted to know the firm's carbon footprint. As purchasing already manages the group's fleet of company cars and vehicles and utility buying, it was a good match. "It was a natural progression, it was just a case of pulling all the numbers together," Goldsworthy said.

He added information from the firm's lease company, its vehicle provider and its utilities broker had aided the plan. "Once you have [the data], it isn't too onerous."