// Asda slashes greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions during 2020 by 16%
// For the year ending December 31, Asda generated 555,271 tCO2e (Scope 1 and 2 emissions) across its entire UK operations
Asda has cut down its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the last year by 16 per cent, according to figures published for the first time by the retailer.
For the year ending December 31, Asda generated 555,271 tCO2e (Scope 1 and 2 emissions) across its entire UK operations including all its offices, depots, distribution centres and stores – a year-on-year reduction of 109,199 tCO2e.
Asda said it was continuing to invest in low carbon technologies across its stores and depots as part of its long-term strategy to reduce Scope 1 and 2 emissions (relative to a 2015 baseline) by 50 per cent by 2025 and become a net-zero carbon business by 2040.
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Plans include moving its HGV delivery fleet from diesel to gas by 2024 after a trial showed vehicles powered by biomethane reduced CO2 emissions by more than 80 per cent.
It said it had already rolled out 300 gas-powered trucks and has another 200 on delivery next year.
Asda said it was also focusing on reducing refrigerant gases through the introduction of new low-carbon refrigeration technology next year, which will reduce direct emissions by more than 90 per cent when rolled out to all stores.
The grocer installed LED lighting in all stores and is in the process of rolling this out across its distribution centres.
“We remain focused on halving our direct carbon emissions by 2025 and will continue to embrace new technology and focus on efficiency across our fleet, stores and depots, as well as using renewable sources whenever possible to hit this target,” Asda commercial sustainability director, Susan Thomas said.
“In line with the wider commitments we set out in our first ESG report published recently, we will continue to be transparent about our progress against these targets.”
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