Asda reduces emissions by 16% over 12-month period

The retailer has committed to moving its entire heavy goods vehicle (HGV) fleet from diesel to gas by 2024

Asda outlined its latest emissions figures as part of Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting (SECR) requirements published in its annual reports and accounts.

The figures show that Asda delivered a year-on-year reduction of more than 109,000 tonnes of CO2e, with emissions now sitting at a little over 555,000 tonnes for Scope 1 (operational) and Scope 2 (power-related) sources. Emissions were accounted for across all offices, depots, distribution centres and stores.

The reduction equates to a 16% year-on-year fall in emissions.

Asda’s director of commercial sustainability Susan Thomas said: “We remain focussed on halving our direct carbon emissions by 2025 and will continue to embrace new technology and focus on efficiency across our fleet, stores and depots, as well as using renewable sources whenever possible to hit this target.

“In line with the wider commitments we set out in our first ESG report, published recently, we will continue to be transparent about our progress against these targets.”

Asda is part of a coalition of retailers that has pledged to support a new collaborative roadmap to transform the sector and its supply chain to net-zero emissions by 2040.

Convened through the British Retail Consortium (BRC), more than 60 businesses have committed to a Climate Action Roadmap. The plan will help deliver a retail industry that will reach net-zero by 2040, including decarbonising stores by 2030, deliveries by 2035 and products by 2040.

Asda is aiming to reduce Scope 1 (operational) and 2 (power-related) emissions by 50% by 2025 against a 2015 baseline, as part of interim targets to support its net-zero ambition.

The retailer has committed to moving its entire heavy goods vehicle (HGV) fleet from diesel to gas by 2024, following biomethane trials that delivered emissions reductions of more than 80% compared to traditional vehicles. Asda currently has 300 gas-powered trucks, with another 200 set to be introduced next year.

The supermarket also plans to meet 50% of its total electricity needs from renewables by 2025.

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Matt Mace