World's largest retailer targets zero
emissions by 2040 and aims to protect, manage or restore at least
50 million acres of land and one million square miles of ocean by
2030
BENTONVILLE, Ark., Sept. 21, 2020 /CNW/ - Building on more than
15 years of sustainability leadership, Walmart today announced it
is doubling down on addressing the growing climate crisis by
targeting zero emissions across the company's global operations by
2040. Walmart and the Walmart Foundation are also committing to
help protect, manage or restore at least 50 million acres of land
and one million square miles of ocean by 2030 to help combat the
cascading loss of nature threatening the planet.
"We want to play an important role in transforming the world's
supply chains to be regenerative. We face a growing crisis of
climate change and nature loss and we all need to take action with
urgency," said Doug McMillon,
president and chief executive officer, Walmart, Inc. "For 15 years,
we have been partnering to do the work and continually raising our
sustainability ambitions across climate action, nature, waste and
people. The commitments we're making today not only aim to
decarbonize Walmart's global operations, they also put us on the
path to becoming a regenerative company – one that works to
restore, renew and replenish in addition to preserving our planet,
and encourages others to do the same."
To avoid the worst effects of climate change, the world must
take immediate action to drastically reduce and remove greenhouse
gas emissions. That's why Walmart is building on its long-standing
commitment to climate action by raising its ambition to zero
emissions by 2040, without the use of carbon offsets, across its
global operations by:
- Harvesting enough wind, solar and other renewable energy
sources to power its facilities with 100% renewable energy by
2035;
- Electrifying and zeroing out emissions from all of its
vehicles, including long-haul trucks, by 2040; and
- Transitioning to low-impact refrigerants for cooling and
electrified equipment for heating in its stores, clubs, and data
and distribution centers by 2040.
The world has also pushed its natural resources to the point of
crisis, resulting in the degradation and loss of critical
landscapes and the eradication of many species of plants and
animals. In fact, studies show animal populations have declined by
over 60% in just over 40 years and one-fifth of the Amazon's
rainforest has disappeared in just 50 years. Not only can a
regenerative approach to nature help reverse these negative impacts
and sustain critical resources for the future, it can also provide
around a third of the solution to climate change.
"We must all take urgent, sustained action to reverse nature
loss and emissions before we reach a tipping point from which we
will not recover," said Kathleen
McLaughlin, executive vice president and chief
sustainability officer for Walmart, Inc. and president of the
Walmart Foundation. "People have pushed past the earth's natural
limits. Healthy societies, resilient economies and thriving
businesses rely on nature. Our vision at Walmart is to help
transform food and product supply chains to be regenerative,
working in harmony with nature – to protect, restore and
sustainably use our natural resources."
Recognizing the need to act now, along with the Walmart
Foundation, Walmart aims to protect, manage or restore some of the
world's most critical landscapes by:
- Continuing to support efforts to preserve at least one acre of
natural habitat for every acre of land developed by the company in
the U.S.;
- Driving the adoption of regenerative agriculture practices,
sustainable fisheries management and forest protection and
restoration – including an expansion of Walmart's deforestation
goals; and
- Investing in and working with suppliers to source from
placed-based efforts that help preserve natural ecosystems and
improve livelihoods.
Walmart's Doug McMillon announced
the news during the opening ceremony of Climate Week NYC. The
announcements come one day prior to the retailer's annual
Sustainability Milestone Summit, to be held during Climate Week's
Hub Live, where the company will engage Walmart associates,
suppliers, NGOs and other stakeholders to advance sustainability in
the retail and consumer goods sector.
For more than 15 years, Walmart has been collaborating with
others to drive positive change across global supply chains. The
company's sustainability efforts prioritize people and the planet
by aiming to source responsibly, sell sustainable products, protect
natural resources and reduce waste and emissions. To date, Walmart
powers around 29% of its operations with renewable energy and
diverts approximately 80% of its waste from landfills and
incineration globally. Because most of the company's environmental
impact comes from its supply chain, Walmart is also working with
suppliers through its Project Gigaton initiative to avoid a gigaton
of greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. More than 2,300 suppliers have
signed on, and since the effort launched in 2017, suppliers report
a total of 230 million metric tons of avoided emissions.
Learn more about Walmart's new zero emissions and nature
commitments here
https://corporate.walmart.com/newsroom/2020/09/21/walmart-sets-goal-to-become-a-regenerative-company
About Walmart
Walmart Inc. (NYSE: WMT) helps people
around the world save money and live better - anytime and anywhere
- in retail stores, online, and through their mobile devices. Each
week, over 265 million customers and members visit approximately
11,500 stores under 56 banners in 27 countries and eCommerce
websites. With fiscal year 2020 revenue of $524 billion, Walmart employs over 2.2 million
associates worldwide. Walmart continues to be a leader in
sustainability, corporate philanthropy and employment opportunity.
Additional information about Walmart can be found by visiting
corporate.walmart.com, on Facebook at facebook.com/walmart and on
Twitter at twitter.com/walmart.
About Walmart Canada Corp.
Walmart Canada operates a
chain of more than 400 stores nationwide serving 1.5 million
customers each day. Walmart Canada's flagship online
store, Walmart.ca is visited by more than 900,000
customers daily. With more than 90,000 associates, Walmart Canada
is one of Canada's largest employers and is ranked one of
the country's top 10 most influential brands. Walmart Canada's
extensive philanthropy program is focused on supporting Canadian
families in need, and since 1994 Walmart Canada has raised and
donated more than $400 million to Canadian charities.
Additional information can be found
at walmartcanada.ca, facebook.com/walmartcanada and
at twitter.com/walmartcanada.
SOURCE Walmart Canada