Marvh 1, 2010 - Wal-Mart announced on Feb. 25 that they are to begin working with their suppliers and environmental experts to lower greenhouse gas emissions from supply-chain emissions by 20 million metric tons over the next five years. The proposed reductions amount to 150 percent of the previously-estimated "global carbon footprint growth" over that time frame – the equivalent of taking 3.8 million cars off the road.
In preparing for the reduction program, Wal-Mart worked with the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) to develop an approach that considers the effects of the supply chain on a global scale. Teaming with the Applied Sustainability Center at the University of Arkansas, ClearCarbon Inc., the Carbon Disclosure Project and PricewaterhouseCoopers, Wal-Mart will identify projects, engage suppliers and ensure proper procedures are followed for each greenhouse gas reduction claim.
The program begins with the task of identifying product categories that have the highest quantities of embedded carbon, and establishing effective targets for reduction efforts. Wal-Mart will then implement the reduction efforts at the appropriate phases of the supply chain through to consumer use and end-of-life disposal. The retailer will only count a measure toward their emissions reductions goals if they can prove that they had a direct influence on the reduction and that the reduction would not have taken place but for their involvement. All reductions claims will then be reviewed by the team of external advisers.
Wal-Mart has indicated that it may be difficult to inform consumers which products are a part of the emissions reduction program. For more information on the program, visit
http://walmartstores.com/Sustainability/9660.aspx.