Sainsbury’s commits to reducing greenhouse emissions

Sainsbury’s has committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions through the use of science-based targets, with the store now hoping to achieve net zero by 2040.

The supermarket chain has said it will now work with a number of suppliers on developing and meeting its own Scope 1 and 2 targets,  including through supplier engagement programmes with environmental organisation CDP and the Higg Index.. 

According to the company, the strategies outlined to reduce Scope 1 and 2 emissions will see Sainsbury’s implement “new initiatives within the refrigeration and lighting space such as LED technology, along with improving overall efficiency”. 

In addition, the retailer’s Scope 3 efforts will focus on “working with its suppliers to set their own carbon reduction targets and identify opportunities across product lifecycles”.

This builds on the retailer’s wider goals, announced in January 2020 to achieve net zero by 2040 in its own operations. As part of this, the supermarket outlined “pillars of focus” in addition to carbon reduction targets. 

These include, increasing healthy and sustainable diets, recycling, driving towards water neutral, reducing food waste and plastic packaging and working to be net positive for biodiversity.

Simon Roberts, CEO of Sainsbury’s, said: “We have a responsibility to our colleagues and the communities we serve to reduce the impact our business has on the environment and have been working hard to reduce our carbon emissions over the last 16 years. 

“Setting bold science-based targets across our Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions strengthens our long-standing commitment to protecting the environment and tackling climate change.”

He added: “We are making significant progress on our road to net zero however we can’t get there on our own, to make a meaningful difference to climate change we need to collaborate with industry, work closely with our suppliers and engage our colleagues and customers.”