Haleon Incorporates Carbon Costs Into Procurement

The company is factoring carbon footprint estimates into its supplier purchase decisions as of 2024.

Updated on Oct. 16, 2026 in Consumer Goods

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Haleon is now factoring carbon footprint estimates into its supplier purchase agreements by applying EU emissions trading cost models. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Haleon is now incorporating carbon footprint estimates into its supplier procurement process by calculating costs based on the European Union Emissions Trading Scheme price. The company uses this model to incentivize emissions reductions among its key suppliers.

Why it matters

This policy aims to help Haleon meet its goal of reducing Scope 3 emissions by 42 percent between 2022 and 2030. By rewarding low-carbon suppliers with contracts, the company seeks to accelerate its transition to sustainable operations.

Haleon calculates carbon costs at €80 per metric ton of carbon dioxide, resulting in an average 2 percent price impact on products. This policy currently influences 10 to 20 percent of the company's contract awards.

The players

Haleon

Haleon is a British consumer healthcare company headquartered in the United Kingdom that produces various over-the-counter medications and oral care products.

The details

Haleon multiplies a supplier's carbon footprint estimate by the current carbon cost and adds it to the base price to determine the total contract value. The company plans to pilot long-term contracts that include financial penalties for failing to meet specified carbon reduction goals.

Timeline

  1. 2022 marked the start date for Haleon's Scope 3 emissions reduction goal.

  2. 2024 was the year Haleon first requested emissions data from key suppliers.

  3. 2030 is the target date for the company's 42 percent emissions reduction goal.

Market Landscape

Haleon is leveraging the European Union Emissions Trading Scheme to align its procurement strategy with broader corporate sustainability mandates. This move positions the company to mitigate future regulatory risks while pressuring its supply chain to mirror the firm's emission reduction targets.

Consumers may see subtle impacts on product pricing as suppliers adjust to these new procurement requirements. The policy is primarily designed to shift corporate spending toward manufacturers that report and reduce their carbon footprint.

The takeaway

Companies are increasingly using internal carbon pricing to make sustainability a core component of contract negotiations. Suppliers who adopt transparent emissions reporting may find themselves at a distinct competitive advantage for future partnerships.

Further reading

For more on industry shifts, see the latest news in Consumer Goods.

Source note: This article includes information reported by Trellis.

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Do you believe companies should pay more to prioritize suppliers with lower carbon footprints?