14 December 2022

JD SPORTS FASHION PLC RETAINS CDP A- RATING FOR CLIMATE CHANGE FOR THIRD CONSECUTIVE YEAR

JD Sports Fashion Plc ('JD'), the leading retailer of sports, fashion and outdoor brands, notes that the Carbon Disclosure Project ('CDP') published its latest results on 13th December 2022, assessing almost 15,000 global companies on their environmental disclosures.  JD is pleased to announce that in these results it has retained its 'A-' rating for Climate Change for the third successive year and improved its Water Security grade to 'A-'.

JD's 2022 Annual report was produced in accordance with the Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) requirements and JD's CDP score provides independent assurance on the quality and accuracy of our climate-related risk and opportunity disclosures.

Investors making declarations under the Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation (SFDR) can be encouraged by JD's ESG-related accreditation and continued achievements, as outlined below:

·      Consistent, transparent disclosures via CDP demonstrate sector-beating performance, achieving A- for Climate Change in 2020, 2021, and 2022.

·      Improving our Water Security CDP score to A- in 2022.

·      JD has Science Based Target initiative (SBTi) approval for our Scope One, Scope Two, and Scope Three emission targets.  All JD targets are based on the 1.5°c target referenced within the Paris Agreement.

·      JD supports (and is an Advisory Group member) to the Worldwide Responsible Accredited Production ('WRAP') Textiles 2030 initiative, which includes Net Zero targets for new products.

·      JD is a member of RE100 which is a global initiative bringing together the world's most influential businesses committed to 100% renewable energy. Our operationally controlled UK and ROI stores and sites use 100% renewable energy, and JD is set to achieve its 100% target for Western Europe by the end of 2022.  Our global 100% renewable energy target is 2025.

·      JD supports the United Nations 'Race to Zero' initiative, a global campaign to rally leadership and support for a healthy, resilient, zero carbon recovery that prevents future threats and creates decent jobs and sustainable growth.

Neil Greenhalgh, Chief Financial Officer and Chair of the JD ESG Committee, commented: 

"Customers, colleagues, investors and suppliers should be very encouraged by JD's continued strong performance on critical ESG matters, as evidenced by the latest CDP results"

"Our scores remain well ahead of the retail sector average, demonstrating JD's commitment and collective effort in this area. Working closely with our largest brand partners, who have also scored highly, JD shall continue to play a full part in reducing the impact of climate change." 

Enquiries:

JD Sports Fashion Plc                                                                                     Tel:  0161 767 1000

Andy Higginson, Chair

Régis Schultz, Chief Executive Officer

Neil Greenhalgh, Chief Financial Officer

Alison Lees, Director of Investor Relations and Treasury

FGS Global                                                                                                        Tel: 0207 251 3801

Rollo Head

Jenny Davey

James Thompson