Walmart Emissions Targets Update

(Reuters) – Walmart (NYSE:WMT) stated it is likely to miss its 2025 and 2030 targets for reducing planet-warming emissions due to challenges related to energy policy, infrastructure, and the availability of cost-effective low-carbon technologies.

The U.S.-based retailer had pledged to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from its operations by 35% in 2025 and 65% in 2030, compared to levels in 2015.

However, Walmart indicated that neither of these targets seems achievable, and its progress has been delayed, as mentioned in an update published on its website on Wednesday.

Despite having a smaller carbon footprint per unit of sales compared to more polluting manufacturers and food processors, Walmart is encountering difficulties in reducing emissions due to the opening of more stores and the shipment of goods.

Walmart identified three drivers for the increase in emissions in 2023: pollution from aging refrigeration equipment, fuel emissions from transportation, and the slower expansion of renewable energy in relation to its business growth.