RS Group has been included in the prestigious CDP A-list, improving its CDP rating this year from A- to A for its commitment to climate action, environmental transparency and disclosure.
Additionally, RS Group has retained its Platinum EcoVadis medal for a third year running, placing the organisation in the top 1% of the 150,000+ companies rated. It has also been listed in the S&P Global Sustainability Yearbook for a second year, positioned in the top 15% of companies in its industry.
CDP improvement
CDP is the most extensive and prestigious benchmark of climate action and disclosure globally, with two-thirds of global market capitalisation, from 130 countries, disclosing critical environmental data through CDP. The A list is reserved for the top companies showing advanced climate leadership.
Andrea Barrett, vice-president Social Responsibility & Sustainability says: “Being one of a select few companies globally to reach the CDP A-list, is testament to the hard work of all our teams to decarbonise our business and supply chain and offer our customers more sustainable products and service solutions.
‘‘But the work doesn’t stop here! We’re continuing to accelerate our 2030 ESG action plan to protect our people and the planet, support our sustainable growth and create more long-term value for all our stakeholders.’’
Progress highlights include:
- Providing customers with sustainable product alternatives. Supported by a range of 30k Better World products and the creation of an industry-leading claims-based sustainable product framework.
- Upgrading our distribution sites to be more automated, energy efficient and sustainable to provide a better service to customers and reduce environmental impacts. Supported by a 57% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 emissions since 2019/20.
- Cutting the distance products travel by sourcing, storing and shipping closer to customers and suppliers and switching to less carbon-intensive modalities. Supported by a 26% reduction in intensity of Scope 3 product transport emissions since 2019/201.
Brian Andrew, managing director of RS South Africa, adds: “Sustainability is a core pillar of our business strategy, and we are committed to driving positive change within our industry and beyond. These accolades reinforce our dedication to reducing environmental impact and delivering innovative solutions that support our customers in achieving their sustainability goals.”
Additional accolades
RS Group’s retention of its Platinum EcoVadis medal remains a further testament to the organisation’s invaluable work by a globally trusted provider of business sustainability ratings for thousands of companies worldwide. It was recognised as advanced under the key themes of Environment, Labour & Human Rights and Sustainable Procurement.
For the second year running, RS Group has been listed in the S&P Global Sustainability Yearbook, based on S&P Global’s Corporate Sustainability Assessment (CSA), an annual evaluation of companies’ sustainability practices. With only 780/ 7,690 companies globally featured in the 2025 yearbook, S&P Global recognised the significant progress RS Group has made to advance sustainability in its operations, packaging and logistics.
Andrea Barrett continues: “We are proud to be recognised by such highly regarded ESG ratings. These achievements demonstrate the hard work of teams across every area of our business who are committed to delivering value-generating initiatives that positively impact our people, customers, suppliers, shareholders and communities, as we strive to make amazing happen for a better world.”
Brian Andrew concludes: “This recognition reflects our ongoing commitment to sustainability and responsible business practices. At RS South Africa, we are focused on driving positive change through innovative solutions that benefit our people, communities, and the environment. We are proud to align our efforts with global ESG principles as we continue to create lasting value for our customers, stakeholders, and society at large.”
