WalMart to reduce greenhouse emissions

Alisha_A

I know we're not in overwhelming love with WalMart, but all the same, this is good!

Walmart to reduce greenhouse gas emissions FoodBusinessNews.net, February 25, 2010

BENTONVILLE, ARK. ? Walmart Stores, Inc. plans to eliminate 20 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions from its global supply chain by the end of 2015. ?Energy efficiency and carbon reduction are central issues in the world today,? said Mike Duke, president and chief executive officer. ?We?ve been working to make a difference in these areas, both in our own footprint and our supply chain. We know that we have an opportunity to do more and the capacity to do more.? The world?s largest retailer has collaborated with the Environmental Defense Fund to develop an approach that looks at the supply chain on a global scale. Other advisers to the effort include PricewaterhouseCoopers, ClearCarbon, Inc., the Carbon Disclosure Project and the Applied Sustainability Center at the University of Arkansas. The parties will identify projects, quantify reductions, engage suppliers and ensure proper procedures are followed. ?Like everything we do at Walmart, this commitment ends up coming down to our customers,? Mr. Duke said. ?Reducing carbon in the life cycle of our products will often mean reducing energy use. That will mean greater efficiency, and with the rising cost of energy, lower costs, making our business stronger and more competitive. And, as we help our suppliers reduce their energy use, costs and carbon footprint, we?ll be helping our customers do the same thing.? The program has three components ? selection of product categories with the highest embedded carbon; action in terms of reducing greenhouse gas emissions from a product either in the sourcing of raw materials, manufacturing, transportation, customer use or end-of-life disposal; and assessment to account for reductions. Walmart did not immediately identify which product categories featured the highest embedded carbon, but it did say reduction efforts would run the gamut and include methods of sourcing raw materials, manufacturing, transportation, customer use or end-of-life disposal.

BENTONVILLE, ARK. ? Walmart Stores, Inc. plans to eliminate 20 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions from its global supply chain by the end of 2015. ?Energy efficiency and carbon reduction are central issues in the world today,? said Mike Duke, president and chief executive officer. ?We?ve been working to make a difference in these areas, both in our own footprint and our supply chain. We know that we have an opportunity to do more and the capacity to do more.? The world?s largest retailer has collaborated with the Environmental Defense Fund to develop an approach that looks at the supply chain on a global scale. Other advisers to the effort include PricewaterhouseCoopers, ClearCarbon, Inc., the Carbon Disclosure Project and the Applied Sustainability Center at the University of Arkansas. The parties will identify projects, quantify reductions, engage suppliers and ensure proper procedures are followed. ?Like everything we do at Walmart, this commitment ends up coming down to our customers,? Mr. Duke said. ?Reducing carbon in the life cycle of our products will often mean reducing energy use. That will mean greater efficiency, and with the rising cost of energy, lower costs, making our business stronger and more competitive. And, as we help our suppliers reduce their energy use, costs and carbon footprint, we?ll be helping our customers do the same thing.? The program has three components ? selection of product categories with the highest embedded carbon; action in terms of reducing greenhouse gas emissions from a product either in the sourcing of raw materials, manufacturing, transportation, customer use or end-of-life disposal; and assessment to account for reductions. Walmart did not immediately identify which product categories featured the highest embedded carbon, but it did say reduction efforts would run the gamut and include methods of sourcing raw materials, manufacturing, transportation, customer use or end-of-life disposal.

 

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jpeazybreezy

WOW! With them being such a large producer/consumer this should really make an impact. I'd wonder about them pressuring those whos products they retail into making better packaging or complying with different types of shipping. 

Articles like this make me really wonder what the world could be like in 10-20 years. I mean, if Wal-Mart takes steps, other companies would be hard pressed to follow, which could do spades of good. But at the same time, I still don't trust them

LittleSweetie

I work for a competitor, and the whole "Walmart going green" thing is just PR spin on them cutting costs (and what a coincidence it's by doing "green" things) or getting their suppliers to do things instead of them, but getting the credit for it.  Good for them for being more green, though, whether their intentions are about the environment or otherwise.

Alisha_A

LittleSweetie:

I work for a competitor, and the whole "Walmart going green" thing is just PR spin on them cutting costs (and what a coincidence it's by doing "green" things) or getting their suppliers to do things instead of them, but getting the credit for it.  Good for them for being more green, though, whether their intentions are about the environment or otherwise.

Ah... well I guess its still good, regardless of intentions! And hopefully will pressure suppliers and competitors to consider being more green else well.