BENTONVILLE, AR – There’s a new strategy at the forefront of Walmart’s future operations, one that has placed the retailer’s supply chain in focus. Unveiling a new sustainability platform, the retail giant is looking to cut one gigaton of greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 from its operations and supply chains.

"Through the years, we've seen that integrating sustainable practices into our operations improves business performance, spurs technological innovation, inspires brand loyalty, and boosts employee engagement," stated Laura Phillips, Senior Vice President for Sustainability. “Our suppliers recognize the opportunity to realize those same benefits in their businesses. By working together on such an ambitious goal, we can accelerate progress within our respective companies and deep in our shared supply chains.”

The new project, dubbed Project Gigaton, will also look to provide Walmart’s suppliers with the necessary means to cut down on emissions to meet the goal. According to a press release, Walmart will focus on areas such as manufacturing, materials, and use of products. 

Walmart’s one gigaton goal is roughly equivalent to removing more then 211 million passenger vehicles off of U.S. roads and highways for an entire year. The company stated that it is the first retail company with a verified science-based target emissions-reduction plan.

The company will provide members of its supply chain with an emissions reduction toolkit. The company collaborated with World Wildlife Fund, Environmental Defense Fund, and other non-governmental organizations on these supplies. 

“We are proud of the improvements we’ve made in reducing our own emissions, but we aim to do more. That’s why we’re working with our suppliers and others on Project Gigaton,” said Kathleen McLaughlin, Senior Vice President and Chief Sustainability Officer.

The company is looking to obtain its goal by reducing its Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 18 percent by 2025. Simultaneously, Walmart will also focus on shrinking its CO2E, or carbon dioxide equivalent, emissions from upstream and downstream Scope 3 sources by one billion tons (or, one gigaton) between 2015 and 2030. Walmart has also identified energy, agriculture, waste, packaging, deforestation, product use, and design as goal areas in which to focus Scope 3 climate efforts.

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