Sainsbury’s brings net zero pledge forward to 2035 ahead of COP26

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Supermarket giant Sainsbury’s has bought its net zero pledge forward five years to 2035, ahead of the COP26 international climate change summit kicking off next week in Glasgow.

Sainsbury's Nine Elms fascia

Sainsbury’s has announced it will install 100% LED lighting across its supermarket estate and will be using 100% renewable electricity by the end of 2021, in a bid to reach its reduced target timetable.

The grocer said it had also been working with suppliers to reduce carbon emissions across its supply chain by 30% by 2030, as it looks to play its part in keeping global warming below 1.5 degrees.

Sainsbury’s said it has already reduced its carbon footprint by 47% in the last 17 years despite its space increasing by over 40%. It has also reduced its total greenhouse gas emissions by 25,000 tonnes per year.

The move comes ahead of the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference which starts next week in Glasgow, for which Sainsbury’s is the major supermarket partner.

“We all need to step up our efforts and be ambitious in our pursuits to limit global warming”

Global Goals

Chief executive Simon Roberts 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.

“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.”