Sainsbury’s cuts five years from Net Zero target
Sainsbury’s has strengthened its commitment to tackling the climate crisis by cutting five years from its target to become Net Zero.
It now plans to achieve the target in its own operations by 2035.
The supermarket has cut its carbon footprint by 47% in the last 17 years despite its space increasing by over 40%. In the last year, Sainsbury’s has reduced its absolute greenhouse gas emissions from its own operations by 25,580 tCO2e, year-on-year.
Simon Roberts, chief executive of Sainsbury’s, said: “The clock is ticking. Climate targets matter – but action to deliver them matters more. The progress we’ve made has enabled us to accelerate our own targets and move faster to cut our emissions. We recognise that we not only have a responsibility to our colleagues and the communities we serve in the UK, but to those we source from globally, to reduce the impact our business has on the environment. The United Nations report made clear that we all need to step up our efforts and be ambitious in our pursuits to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees.”
To help achieve its target, Sainsbury’s will install 100% LED lighting across its supermarkets by the end of this year, by which time it will also be using 100% renewable electricity across its entire estate. In addition, the company has committed to the long-term purchasing of renewable energy from new wind farms and solar projects to be built over the next two years.
As a retailer sourcing over 30,000 products from over 70 countries, Sainsbury’s is working collaboratively with its suppliers to help them set their own net zero commitments, with the goal of reducing Scope 3 emissions in its value chain by 30% by 2030. This includes reducing emissions from purchased goods and services sold, upstream transport and distribution and the direct use of sold products.
Roberts added: “We have a strong heritage in reducing our own emissions and are collaborating closely with our suppliers to ensure we’re driving positive change across our value chain too. Tackling the climate emergency requires collaborative and transformational thinking across industry and government, and a willingness to work together and share learnings globally, so that we can all take meaningful, immediate action. I’m really proud that Sainsbury’s continues to lead the charge and encourage others to change and evolve with us for the benefit of all.”
COP26 president-designate Alok Sharma said: “With the COP26 climate summit starting in a few days, I am delighted that our Principal Partner, Sainsbury’s, will be going net zero by 2035. This is a great example of the climate leadership we need across all sectors as we work together to keep 1.5 degrees within reach.”
