Entain plc (LON:ENT), the global sports-betting and gaming entertainment group, has announced that it has committed to becoming net zero for greenhouse gas emissions by no later than 2035, which is 15 years ahead of the 2050 target for carbon neutrality agreed by governments under the Paris Agreement.
Entain has formally sent a letter of commitment to the Science Based Target initiative and is now developing its strategy to fast-track the decarbonisation process throughout its business around the world. In addition to reducing and offsetting emissions within its own operations, Entain will also work with its suppliers to decarbonise its supply chain. The Group currently has a workforce of over 24,000, with 4,500 retail outlets and more than 20 offices across five continents.
The commitment will dramatically accelerate the already significant progress that Entain has made in reducing its emissions by 15% between 2018-2021. These efforts have seen the Group achieve the Carbon Trust Standard for Carbon in the UK, reflecting Entain’s effectiveness in responding to climate change through governance, carbon accounting, and carbon management.
Commenting on the commitment, Entain CEO Jette Nygaard-Andersen said:
“This is an ambitious and critically important commitment that we are making today, and one that I am proud to make on behalf of our people around the world. We have a strong culture of behaving ethically and responsibly in everything that we do, and we know that as a large global business we have a duty to do everything that we can to help tackle the climate crisis.”
More broadly, today’s announcement underlines Entain’s approach to operating responsibly across all aspects of its business, and to its adherence to the very highest standards of environmental, social and governance-related behaviour:
· In addition to the launch of its Sustainability Charter in November, Entain also recently retained its position as a member of both the Dow Jones Sustainability Index for Europe (“DJSI”) and the FTSE4Food Index Series.
· The Group has an inclusive culture, and employs a more diverse selection of people than ever before. Its efforts in this regard have been recognised by the EGR Diversity & Inclusion awards
· Following the recently announced appointments of Stella David and Vicky Jarman to the Board of Entain, there will be 40% female representation at Board, with Jette Nygaard-Andersen one of only a small number of female CEOs in the FTSE 100
· The Group is proud to be able to contribute to the wider communities in which it operates, through the Entain Foundation, which is committed to donating £100 million over five years, including our new Pitching In programme that supports grass roots sports and sports people
