Loblaw commits to achieving net-zero status by 2040

Loblaw has announced its intent to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2040.

This goal is one of the company’s many ongoing and ambitious environmental commitments, which have been gaining momentum in recent years. 

In 2016, Loblaw committed to a 30% reduction in corporate carbon emissions by 2030. The company met that target in 2020, due to its advancements in energy management, equipment conversions, and addressing refrigerant leaks.

"Having met major milestones reducing our carbon footprint and waste, we are now squarely focused on the next challenge — net-zero," said Galen G. Weston, president and chairman, Loblaw Companies Limited, in a recent press release issued by the company. "The need for action is as clear as our ambition, and it reflects the long-term vision our company has held across generations."

Several other strategic initiatives have been announced by Loblaw, including eliminating food waste sent to landfill by 2030, creating reusable or recyclable plastic packaging for major brands (like President’s Choice) by 2025, and moving to a zero-emission truck fleet by 2030.

After tackling its internal operations, Loblaw’s goal is to achieve net-zero for its suppliers by 2050.

To date, Loblaw has successfully diverted 86% of food waste from landfill since 2017, eliminated 13.8 billion plastic bags from its stores since 2007, and sliced its corporate carbon footprint by 30.9% since 2007.