Move expected to deliver indicative lifecycle GHG emissions savings of around 524 tonnes of CO2e annually*
B&Q and Flogas Britain have introduced renewable BioLPG across B&Q’s Flogas propane gas bottle range through a certified mass-balance approach, helping to reduce the carbon impact associated with the products sold without changing the way customers use their gas bottles.
The initiative makes B&Q the first major UK home improvement retailer to take this approach and will see certified BioLPG equivalent to 10% of the propane gas bottle volumes sold through B&Q purchased and allocated through a certified mass-balance approach.
This is expected to deliver indicative lifecycle GHG emissions savings of approximately 524 tonnes of CO2e each year.*
The introduction of BioLPG forms part of B&Q’s wider sustainability strategy and demonstrates how collaboration between retailers and energy suppliers can help introduce lower-carbon alternatives and reduce emissions across the value chain.
Through the initiative, the fossil fuel content associated with the LPG volumes supplied to B&Q is reduced through the allocation of certified renewable BioLPG.
BioLPG is produced from renewable feedstocks and supplied through a certified mass-balance approach, an industry-recognised chain-of-custody method that enables renewable volumes and their associated sustainability attributes to be tracked through the supply chain.
Under this approach, the 10% commitment applies across B&Q’s propane gas bottle volumes. It does not mean that BioLPG is physically present in any specific individual gas bottle. Certification and allocation of the relevant renewable attributes helps to ensure they are not double counted.
The BioLPG volumes allocated to B&Q are certified under ISCC EU, which verifies compliance with the sustainability and GHG-saving criteria of the EU Renewable Energy Directive. BioLPG cylinder volumes can also be certified through the Green Gas Certification Scheme (GGCS), supporting transparency and traceability of renewable gas volumes through the supply chain.
Samantha Dyer, Head of Responsible Business at B&Q, said: “As the first major UK home improvement retailer to take this step, we’re demonstrating how established product categories can contribute to decarbonisation efforts. We will continue working with our partners to identify scalable solutions that support our sustainability ambitions and help reduce the carbon impact of the products we sell.”
Emma Dodds, Business Development Manager at Flogas Britain, said: “Renewable fuels have an important role to play in helping organisations reduce emissions today while supporting the transition to a lower-carbon future. We’re proud to be working with B&Q on this initiative, which demonstrates how businesses can use established supply chains and existing infrastructure to increase the adoption of renewable energy solutions.”
The initiative involves the purchase of certified renewable fuel volumes through the LPG supply chain, with the associated renewable attributes allocated to B&Q on a mass-balance basis.
BioLPG has equivalent end-use characteristics to conventional LPG, meaning renewable volumes can be introduced through existing LPG infrastructure and equipment without requiring changes to customers’ appliances or how they use their gas bottles, subject to normal safety and equipment requirements.
The collaboration represents an important step for both B&Q and Flogas in supporting the wider adoption of renewable liquid gases. It also highlights how retailers and energy suppliers can work together, using established supply chains and infrastructure, to help make lower-carbon energy solutions more widely available.
Flogas Gaslight and Leisure propane gas bottles are available from B&Q. Under this initiative, certified BioLPG equivalent to 10% of B&Q’s propane gas bottle volumes is allocated on a certified mass-balance basis. Butane gas bottles are also available for use with indoor portable heaters but are not included within the BioLPG allocation.
*Indicative emissions savings are estimated based on certified renewable BioLPG equivalent to 10% of B&Q’s propane gas bottle volumes and the difference between the applicable fossil LPG lifecycle emissions factor and the certified lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions factor for the renewable BioLPG supply. All emissions savings presented are estimates.