Walmart launches supply chain sustainability program

By

Cassidy Mantor

Published
Apr 20, 2017

Walmart has launched Project Gigaton, in an effort to reduce its supply chain emissions by a gigaton -- the equivalent of removing 211 million passenger cars off the road for a year.

As it continues to expand, Walmart is taking proactive steps in sustainability to reduce the carbon emissions from its global supply chain. The goal is to reduce emissions by a gigaton by the year 2030. To do this, Walmart collaborated with various NGOs including the World Wildlife Federation and the Environmental Defense Fund to create a toolkit to help supply chain partners look at reducing their emissions.

Project Gigaton is the latest roll out in Walmart's sustainability measures. The company runs a large solar power program, getting 25% of its global energy from renewable sources.

“Through the years, we’ve seen that integrating sustainable practices into our operations improves business performance, spurs technological innovation, inspires brand loyalty, and boosts employee engagement,” said Laura Phillips, SVP, Sustainability for Walmart.

Several suppliers have already committed to reducing their emissions under the program.

Phillips continued, “Our suppliers recognize the opportunity to realize those same benefits in their businesses. By working together on such an ambitious goal, we can accelerate progress within our respective companies and deep in our shared supply chains.”

As Walmart continues to buy major brands and grow its consumer base, it is clear it will have to recognize sustainability as a core value of the consumer under its umbrella. The only question is whether 2030 is too far in the distant future?

When a brand such as Nike commits to reduce global supply chain emissions by 2020 or 2025, Walmart's 2030 goal of 13 years away seems like a slow timeline for consumers who expect more immediate responsiveness from their brands.