Asda is on track to become a net zero carbon business by 2040 and will be sourcing 50% of its electricity from renewable energy sources by 2025.
The supermarket chain has published its second Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) report, providing an annual update on the supermarket’s progress against its environmental, social and governance strategy and goals.
The retailer has met key environmental milestones over the past 12 months, such as a continued reduction in operational carbon emissions, which are down by 35% since 2015. it is also on the way to hitting its target of reducing its carbon use by 50% by 2025 and reaching net zero emissions by 2040.
The report includes a publication of its full carbon footprint, including scope 3 emissions for the first time. It also confirms that Asda is prioritising climate change within its ESG strategy, describing it as ‘high importance, high impact’.
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“Climate change is an urgent and devastating global problem that presents material risks to supply chains and our ability to achieve sustained growth now and in the medium to long term,” said Asda owners Mohsin and Zuber Issa.
“We are committed to playing our part in both protecting and regenerating our planet. We’re providing greater transparency through our reporting, including sharing our full carbon footprint and roadmap to
operational net zero for the first time.”
The new roadmap reveals that, alongside ongoing actions to reduce direct and indirect greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, Asda has also mapped its value chain for the first time, allowing it to extend climate action into its supply chains.
The proportion of own-label packaging that can be recycled at home has been increased to 85% (with a further 4.5% recyclable in store), with zero operational waste being sent to landfill for the third year in a row.
The retailer has also met a number of other key milestones across core sustainability and social issues, such as an 18% increase in surplus food donations to local charities, which means Asda has donated over 8.2 million meals to local communities since 2018.
It has also launched a new £50m community strategy and provided over £3.7m in grants through the Asda Foundation.
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