Loblaw commits to greenhouse gas reduction

Remember the Paris Agreement? The conference took place around this time last year and aimed to strengthen the global response to climate changes. Over 195 countries adopted the agreement, and Canada committed to reducing emissions by 30% from 2005 levels by 2030.

Loblaw is following suit. The retailer announced last week a commitment and strategy to reduce its carbon footprint 20% by 2020 and 30% by 2030.

“Reducing our carbon footprint and mitigating the negative effects of climate change is important us,” says Catherine Thomas, director, external communication. “We recognize the growing environmental, social and business impact of greenhouse gas emissions, and as one of Canada’s largest energy users, we need to be part of the solution.”

Its action plan involves energy-efficient stores and distribution centres, fuel-efficient transportation, and managing refrigerants and organic waste diversion and includes Shoppers Drug Mart/Pharmaprix and franchise supermarkets.

To reach its reduction targets at the store level, Thomas says “We will implement some initiatives in our stores, including installing new refrigeration systems that use carbon dioxide as a refrigerant, calibrating and optimizing energy management systems, and ongoing lighting retrofits.”

The press release states that by 2030, the company will have reduced emissions associated with electricity consumption by 35%, transportation by 25%, and refrigerants by 50%, and will improve waste diversion to 80% in stores and 95% in distribution centres.

The release goes on to say that Loblaw is committed to reporting progress towards its targets and will do so in greater detail in its annual CSR report, the next to be released in Spring 2017.

The action plan is available here.