US retail giant Walmart is on track to reduce one billion metric tonnes of emissions from its global supply chains by 2030.
This is according to Walmart Inc.'s inaugural Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) report, which outlines the companies goals, progress and achievements for the fiscal year 2019.
Walmart said that it is working towards increasing economic opportunities for associates and local communities, building sustainability in supply chains and activating climate change alternatives.
Activating Climate Change Initiatives
Walmart has worked with an independent third-party consultant to gain a better understanding of the nature of climate change, for its Climate Change Impact Scenario Analysis.
The company also looked into potential implications for the retail sector, aiming to align with the scenario guidance set forth by the task force on climate related financial disclosures.
Renewable Energy And Migrating Waste
As part of Walmart's goal of being supplied by 50% renewable energy by 2025, 18% of its electricity needs are currently supplied by renewable sources.
In 2018 in the US, Walmart diverted 81% of unsold products, packaging and other waste materials from landfill.
The company also recycled more than 430 million pounds of plastic film and rigid plastic globally.
Human Rights
The ESG report discusses salient human rights issues and progress on related initiatives within the company and through collective action.
It also illustrates the retailer's willingness to source responsibly – addressing worker safety issues within the Bangladesh ready-made garment industry, Walmart became a founding member of the Alliance for Bangladesh Worker Safety in 2013.
Although the alliance concluded on 31 December 2018, there has been significant progress, including 90% of high-priority remediation items completed across all factories connected with the alliance.
As of the end of fiscal year 2019, Walmart achieved a supplier sustainability index participation rate that covers 80% of the goods Walmart sells in US stores.
Workplace Responsibility
Walmart promoted over 215,000 people to jobs of greater responsibility and higher pay in US stores in 2019, it said.
Inclusion is also noted in the report, as 31% of employees at Walmart's corporate offices and 44% of associates with revenue responsibility are women. In addition, 57% of hourly promotions were given to women.
Of the 80,000 Walmart US store associates that have been through the Walmart Academy, 34% of associates with revenue responsibility are people of colour.
Collective Action
“Through ESG initiatives, our goal is not only minimising our own footprint or mitigating risk, but to inspire collective action to help transform the sector for long-term environmental, social and economic sustainability” said Kathleen McLaughlin, Walmart’s chief sustainability officer.
“We’re engaged in efforts to source responsibly, create economic opportunity for retail associates and people working in supply chains, take action on climate change, and help improve sustainability of the products we sell."
In addition to the ESG report, Walmart also announced the release of its annual update on ethics and compliance, which focuses on enhancements the company has made to its Global Ethic and Compliance Programme over the years.
The company also launched Walmart.org, a new website featuring the philanthropic efforts of Walmart and the Walmart Foundation.
© 2019 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. Article by Helen Galgey. Click subscribe to sign up to ESM: The European Supermarket Magazine.
