British American Tobacco sets out new sustainability strategy

British American Tobacco publishes its new sustainability report and sets out plans to become carbon neutral by 2030.

The tobacco manufacturing company has published its new sustainability report, based on the Group’s evolved strategy to deliver ‘A Better Tomorrow’.

The company has pledged to become carbon neutral by 2030 and has said it will ‘accelerate’ its existing environmental targets. Amongst this, BAT will set out to eliminate unnecessary single-use plastic and making all plastic packaging recyclable by 2025.

Jack Bowles, Chief Executive of British American Tobacco, said: “Today we are transitioning from being a business where sustainability has always been important to one where it is front and centre in all that we do.”

“Over the last 20 years, we’ve made significant progress on our sustainability journey. Yet our approach needs to constantly develop, much as the world around us is evolving – from increasing expectations of the role of business in contributing to the UN Sustainable Development Goals and addressing climate change; to evolving consumer preferences and the emergence of new category products, such as vapour products (e-cigarettes), tobacco heating and modern oral products, that offer potentially reduced risks for the many millions of people across the world who continue to smoke cigarettes.”

BAT have already seen success in its sustainability targets. The company achieved a 9.5% reduction in direct carbon dioxide emissions from its 2017 baseline. In addition to this, it achieved a 13.1% reduction in water withdrawals from its 2017 baseline. It aims to increase this reduction to 35% by 2025.

By removing silicon caps from its Vype e-liquid pods, BAT saved 1,000 tonnes of CO2 equivalent annually. In 2019, the Group used 99% of wood fuel used by contracted farmers for curing came from sustainable sources.

The Sustainability Strategy Report is complemented by an online ESG report that provides detailed information about BAT’s policies, management approach, performance and targets for all its ESG priorities.

Jack Bowles added: “I am proud that we have a strategy with sustainability embedded at its heart and I firmly believe it will lead to ‘A Better Tomorrow’ for our consumers, our employees, our shareholders and, undoubtedly, for society.”

Photograph: BAT