Walmart meets key sustainability goal early

It’s been 10 years since Walmart launched its sustainability agenda, and on Tuesday, the discounter detailed the progress it has made to date.



In two important milestones, Walmart said it has achieved its goals of reducing 20 million metric tons of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from its global supply chain, and doubling its fleet efficiency. It also expanded an existing commitment to preserve wildlife habitat.



“Our company has made major strides since we embarked on this journey, and our focus for the next decade will remain the same: doing the right thing for our customers, our communities, people working in the supply chain and the planet,” said Doug McMillon, president and CEO, Wal-Mart Stores. “Our approach to global responsibility not only makes sense for the environment, but it’s also good for our customers, and our business.”



GHG: Walmart achieved its goal of eliminating 20 million metric tons of GHC emissions from its global supply chain ahead of schedule, eliminating 28.2 million metric tons to date. It is the equivalent of taking more than 5.9 million cars off the road for an entire year.



Collaborating with EDF, Walmart implemented various measures across both its global operations and those of suppliers, including enhanced energy efficiency, the execution of numerous renewable energy projects and collaborating with suppliers on the Sustainability Index to track progress towards reducing overall carbon footprint.



Fleet Efficiency: Walmart doubled the efficiency of its fleet by working with its associates to establish innovative solutions for loading, routing and driving techniques, as well as collaborating with tractor and trailer manufacturers on new technologies. With these new efficiencies, in the current fiscal year alone, the company expects to save nearly $1 billion compared to a 2005 baseline, and avoid emissions of almost 650,000 metric tons of CO2. The reduction to a cleaner environment and lower prices for customers.



Wildlife: Walmart is renewing its conservation efforts by committing $35 million over the next ten years to Acres for America to conserve at least one acre of priority wildlife habitat for every developed acre of the company’s current and future footprint. Since 2005, the retailer, in collaboration with the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, has helped preserve and restore more than 1 million acres of wildlife habitat through 61 projects in 33 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.



Food: In keeping its commitment to create a more sustainable food system, Walmart worked to improve food affordability; increase access to food; making healthier eating easier; and improve safety and transparency in the supply chain. To date, the chain has:

• Affordability: Beginning in 2011, Walmart committed to helping customers save on healthy food, including $1 billion in annual savings on fresh produce. The company has exceeded this commitment year over year, totaling over $4.69 billion in customer savings to date.



• Accessibility: July, 2011, Walmart committed to opening up to 300 stores serving USDA-designated “food deserts.” By the end of January 2015, Walmart had exceeded this goal, a year earlier than planned, by opening 375 stores.



• Health and transparency: Walmart committed in 2011 to reduce sodium by 25%, added sugars by 10% and to eliminate industrially produced trans fats in private label and national brand packaged foods sold in the company’s stores. So far, Walmart has reduced sodium in these products by more than 16% reduced added sugars by over 10% and ensured that fewer than 6% of contain partially hydrogenated oils. Walmart also created a Great For You front-of-pack seal, which is now on more than 30% of the company’s private label products, to help customers easily identify more nutritious choices.