Commercial, Energy Efficiency, GHG Emissions  -  September 8, 2020

Walmart cut emissions 7.7% since 2015

Walmart saw a 3.8% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions last year, reflecting a 7.7% decrease since their baseline year of 2015.

The retail giant is currently targeting an 18% operational emissions reduction by 2025 based on their 2015 baseline. According to their newly released 2020 Environmental, Social and Governance report, they also saw a 7.1% decrease in carbon intensity per revenue over the last year.

Walmart also has a current goal of powering 50% of their operations with renewable energy by 2025. As of 2019, their renewable energy use was at 29%. They are targeting the production or procurement of 7 billion kWh of renewable energy globally and as of 2019 achieved 2.6 billion kWh. Since 2008, Walmart has brought on 1.21 GW of renewable energy generation capacity and they have more than 530 on- and off-site renewable energy projects in operation or under construction.

“There’s been a lot of talk recently about the purpose of business in society,” President and CEO Doug McMillion wrote in an opening letter. “While there’s much left to debate, we know this for certain: It’s time for businesses to take the lead working together and with government and NGOs on serious issues like workforce opportunity, racial equity, climate, and sustainable, responsible supply chains. Consumers are keeping score. They no longer look the other way, and we are committed to do right by our communities. Together, we have an opportunity to shape the future at a pivotal moment. And the biggest outcome for thinking and behaving this way is that it results in a better performing business that benefits all of our stakeholders.”

Other energy achievements included an 11% decrease in energy intensity at their buildings between 2010 and 2018 (with a 20% total decrease targeted for the end of 2020) and the installation of 1,138 electric vehicle charging stations at 288 retail locations across 37 states.

Read These Related Articles:

• PepsiCo, UPS, Wal-Mart among large fleet operators signing on to new 'Sustainable Fuel Buyers Principles'
• Walmart Subscribes to NY Community Solar Projects
• Walmart, Salesforce now receiving power from newly operational wind farm
• Walmart warns against Dominion Energy RE tariff
• Walmart request for energy shopping in VA denied