Walmart announces plan to to cut 20 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions in their supply chain over the next five years.
In another large-scale sustainability effort aimed at greening their supply chain, Walmart today announced the lofty goal of cutting 20 million metric tons of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from its global supply chain by the end of 2015. The reductions would equal 3.8 million cars-worth of greenhouse gas emissions, or, 1.5 times the company’s projected CO2 growth over the next 5 years.
“Energy efficiency and carbon reduction are central issues in the world today,” said Mike Duke, Walmart president and CEO, in a live televised announcement on Thursday. Duke said that Walmart has 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.”
Duke said that working with suppliers, the plan would be measurable and attributable, calling it “a plan that will make a difference.”
“Reducing carbon in the life cycle of our products will often mean reducing energy use,” added Duke. “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.”
Duke said that reductions can come from any phase of a products lifecycle, including sourcing raw materials, manufacturing, transportation, customer use and end of life disposal.
Fred Krupp of Environmental Defense talks with Walmart's Leslie Dach about Walmart's new greenhouse gas emissions strategy.
“Today the world’s largest company begins a global race for carbon pollution cuts,” said Fred Krupp, president of Environmental Defense Fund. “Walmart’s bold move will help companies identify steps to slash pollution and costs.”
Full Article: Earth and Living
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