Portuguese retail group MC, part of Sonae, has unveiled Footprint MC, a new platform dedicated to assessing the carbon and water footprint of its suppliers.
This initiative aligns with MC's goal of reducing supply chain emissions by 31% within a decade, specifically by 2032 compared to 2022.
"Reaching this 31% reduction requires collaboration across different players," Mariana Pereira da Silva, head of sustainability, told Portuguese daily Jornal de Negocios.
"We invite our producers to submit information about their farms. This data allows us to calculate the footprint of their products, track progress year-on-year, identify improvement areas and opportunities, and benchmark them against the average of other suppliers," Pereira da Silva added.
Sustainability Initiatives
MC collaborates with suppliers, mapping existing sustainability efforts to maximise impact.
Its Continente Producers Club supports local production, innovation, and producer training, offering technical assistance and recognising achievements through a comprehensive certification system encompassing quality, food safety, environment, animal welfare, and social responsibility.
Furthermore, MC has implemented an 'ESG confirming' solution that enables early invoice payments for suppliers meeting sustainability criteria.
MC has already achieved a 34% reduction in direct emissions (scope 1 & 2) since 2018 thanks to its Climate Action Roadmap.
Key actions include on-site production, renewable energy, eco-efficiency measures, electrification, and cold storage plant upgrades. Notably, 20 plants were renovated last year, promising significant future impacts.
MC also prioritises sustainable packaging based on 'ecodesign' and 'design4recycling' principles. The efforts led to an 86% recyclability rate for its plastic packaging in 2023.
Recently recognised by the Carbon Disclosure Project, MC aims to reduce overall greenhouse gas emissions by 51% by 2032.
