Loblaw Declares Net-Zero Commitments, Initiates Actions to Fight Climate Crisis

Loblaw, a Canadian supermarket chain, has recently announced to achieve carbon-neutrality and net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in its supply chain by 2040. As the country's largest network of corporate and independent grocery and drug stores, Loblaw's commitments will help Canadians fight against global warming.

The company has recently fulfilled one of its commitments, which is a 30 per cent reduction in corporate carbon emission by 2030. Loblaw could achieve the commitments due to its know-how in energy management, equipment conversion and addressing refrigeration leaks.

The corporation will expand this momentum into its franchised networks and distribution centres, and ultimately to its supplier network, based on the Science-Based Target Initiative and connected to the Paris Agreement. This will result in a long-term roadmap: Loblaw's operating footprint (Scope 1 and 2) will be net-zero by 2040, and Scope 3 (including those created by suppliers) will be net-zero by 2050.

The company also plans to eliminate food waste sent to landfills by 2030, address the plastic problem by ensuring all plastic packaging for control brands, like President's Choice, are recyclable or reusable by 2025, and move to a zero-emission truck fleet by 2030.

The company has always maintained a long-standing track record of corporate social responsibility. It has pledged to fight climate change, tackling GHG emissions, plastic menace and food waste. The company has also come up with an inclusion training program for its workforce of 2.00,000 Canadians and commitments to childhood hunger and women's health.

Galen G. Weston, President and Chairman Loblaw Companies Limited, said: "Having met major milestones reducing our carbon footprint and waste, we are now squarely focused on the next challenge — net-zero. It will see us deploy electric trucks, efficient heating and cooling, alternative energy, and innovative methods ahead. The need for action is as clear as our ambition, and it reflects the long-term vision our company has held across generations.”