9^th December 2021

JD Sports Fashion plc Retains CDP A- Rating for Climate Change

JD Sports Fashion Plc (JD), the leading retailer of sports, fashion and outdoor brands, is pleased to announce it has retained its 'A-' rating for Climate Change for the second successive year, and achieved a solid  'B' grade for Water Security.  The Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) published its latest results on 7th December 2021.

The JD Sports Fashion plc 2021/22 Annual report will be produced in accordance with Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) requirements. Investors disclosing under the Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation (SFDR) can be further encouraged by JD's additional ESG-related accreditation and achievements, as outlined below:

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

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

·    JD  achieved  Science Based Target initiative (SBTi) approval of our Scope One and Two emission targets, with Scope Three to follow within the year.  Our targets are based on the 1.5°c target referenced within the Paris Agreement, surpassing the 'below 2.0° scenario requirements.

·    Support and engagement  in the RE100, - the world's most influential businesses, committed to 100% renewable energy.  Our operationally controlled UK and ROI stores and sites use 100% renewable energy. We are on track to achieve 100% renewable energy across Europe by 2022, and globally by 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 growth.

·    JD is  committed to increasing the amount of Better Cotton within our Own Brand manufacturing.  By mid-2021 our Own Brand goods in production had used 81% 'Better Cotton', achieving our target ahead of schedule, with a larger number of in-store and online products containing cotton sourced through the Better Cotton Initiative.

·    Supporting our supply chain; during the largest period of COVID-19 impact on our sector, no JD Group Own Brand supplier suffered cancelled orders, or negative impacts arising from adjusted orders. By September 2020, we had re-designed and re-phased over $170m of fabrics and reduced our outstanding commitments to zero.

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."

"This strong CDP score is significantly 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 very well, JD will continue to play a full part in reducing the impact of climate change."

JD Sports Fashion Plc                                                                                                                     Tel:  0161 767 1000

Peter Cowgill, Executive Chairman

Neil Greenhalgh, Chief Financial Officer

Jennifer Iveson, Investor Relations

MHP Communications                                                                                                                  Tel:  0203 128 8193

Andrew Jaques

Peter Hewer

Charles Hirst

Catherine Chapman