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BAT recognised as Climate Leader

BAT recognised as Climate Leader
British American Tobacco Global Headquarters in London (Photo: BAT)

British American Tobacco (BAT) has been identified as Climate Leader for the fourth successive year in European Climate Leaders list

The European Climate Leaders list, compiled by the Financial Times in partnership with Statista, identifies businesses that have achieved the greatest reduction in their Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions intensity over a five-year period (2017-22).


BAT is said to have made good progress towards our 2030 SBTi-approved emissions reduction targets, reducing our Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions by 33 per cent in 2023, and our Scope 3 emissions by 12.5 per cent in 2022, against a 2020 baseline.

In addition, 20 per cent of this year’s score looked at each company’s CDP Climate rating (BAT received an A- rating from CDP in February 2024), as well as their participation in the Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi) and disclosure of Scope 3 emissions.

Donato Del Vecchio, Chief Sustainability Officer at BAT, said, "We’re delighted to be named by the Financial Times in the top 3 per cent of European companies assessed for our performance in tackling climate change.

This listing reflects our continued work to reduce our climate emissions. By 2030, we aim to achieve a 50 per cent reduction in our Scope 1, 2 & 3 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and to be Net Zero across our value chain by 2050 at the latest.”

Our Combined Annual and Sustainability Report provides further details of our climate strategy and progress in decarbonising our business operations and value chain.

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Fed National President Mo Razzaq

Indies: It’s criminal police and government turn blind eye to shoplifting

Independent retailers are demanding tougher police action, more bobbies on the beat and harsher punishments as shoplifting levels reach an all-time high, a new survey reveals.

A whopping ninety-one per cent of respondents to a survey conducted by the Federation of Independent Retailers (the Fed) called for more police patrols on streets, while a similar number - 90 per cent - said that shoplifters should be handed harsher sentences.

Seven out of 10 respondents (72 per cent) said their stores had experienced shoplifting, break ins and damage to property, while they and their staff had been physically or verbally threatened.

Just under half of respondents (47 per cent) said they and their employees had been threatened or had suffered abuse and violence when asking for proof of age ahead of selling an age-restricted product.

Forty-four per cent reported that they and their staff had faced abuse or violence because they had refused to make a proxy sale – selling an age restricted product to a customer buying for a minor.

The results of the Fed’s survey came as new figures from the Office of National Statistics revealed that shoplifting was at a record high, with almost half a million offences recorded last year.

According to the ONS, 469,788 offences were logged by forces in the year to June 2024 – a 29 per cent increase on the previous 12 months.

The ONS added that this figure was the highest since records began – in March 2003.

“Inadequate responses from the police and a slap on the wrist for offenders means that shoplifting is soaring, and offenders are becoming more aggressive and brazen,” said Fed National President Mo Razzaq.

“From the responses we received, it is clear that real action is needed by police, by courts and by the government to stem the overwhelming tide of crime against retailers and their staff. Everyone deserves to feel safe at work and for their businesses to be protected against criminals.

“Fed members are also sending a clear message that one of the catalysts for verbal and physical abuse in stores is asking for proof of age before selling an age restricted product. If the government presses ahead with its plans to phase out smoking and vaping through a progressive ban to gradually end the sale of tobacco products across the country, independent retailers will be subject to even greater levels of violence, abuse and theft.”

Calling for action from the government and not just words, Mr Razzaq continued: “Without effective deterrent, criminals and opportunistic members of the public will continue to commit crimes.”

According to Ministry of Justice statistics, during the year to March 2024, 431 fines were handed out for retail theft under £100, while Home Office statistics for the same period show that 2,252 cautions were accepted for shoplifting.

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