Sainsbury’s has committed to a £1bn investment to become a net-zero-carbon business by 2040.
The retailer will use the funds to reduce carbon emissions, food waste, plastic packaging and water usage and increase recycling, diversity and healthy, sustainable eating.
The 20-year target is in with the Paris Agreement to limit global warming to 1.5℃ and a decade ahead of the government’s own net-zero-carbon target.
Sainsbury’s estimates that its carbon footprint is one million tonnes.
The retail giant said it had achieved a 35% reduction of its carbon footprint in the past 15 years, despite growing its physical portfolio by 46%.
It will work with the Carbon Trust to assess emissions and to set hard targets for reduction, and will report progress against this every six months.
Chief executive Mike Coupe said: “We have a duty to the communities we serve to continue to reduce the impact our business has on the environment and we are committing to reduce our own carbon emissions and become net zero by 2040, 10 years ahead of the government’s own targets, because 2050 isn’t soon enough.
“We recognise that we have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to make the changes needed to help the planet exist sustainably.”
Sainsbury’s has invested £260m to date in more than 3,000 initiatives over the past 10 years, including new LED lighting and refrigeration. Coupe said the business will look to collaborate across industries and sectors “to help create momentum and drive meaningful change”.
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