As part of our Recipe for Change, we’re fighting climate change by reducing carbon emissions through science-based targets. As part of this platform, we’re committing to:
- Achieve Science Based Targets initiative approved carbon emissions reduction goals by 2030.
- Reduce carbon emissions from company operations by 47%.
- Reduce downstream carbon emissions from the use of sold goods by approximately 27%.
- Engage top suppliers to set science-based carbon reduction targets by 2026.
- Achieve net zero emissions in company operations by 2040.
Efforts currently underway to measure and reduce emissions at Albertsons Companies, include:
- Emissions Reporting: Emissions are third-party verified and reported annually to CDP.
- Efficiency Projects: We
completed more than 1,100 energy efficiency projects across our operations in
2022, including installing LED lighting, doors on refrigerated cases,
anti-sweat heaters, and more.
- Sourcing Renewable Energy: Albertsons
Cos is one of the U.S. EPA’s top 30 retail partners for their Green Power
Partnership program. We work with energy providers in our operating areas to
utilize utility-scale renewable energy and have been able to purchase energy from a solar farm in Arizona and source renewable energy for Safeway stores in Virginia.
Electricity
Energy
savings can have a big impact on the environment. We are investing in energy
efficiency technologies to reduce our electricity usage in our stores,
distribution centers, manufacturing plants and offices. These can be in the
form of energy efficient LED lighting in stores, energy management systems to
monitor our energy consumption or solar energy to power our stores. Today, we
have more than 50 locations with on-site solar generation and plan to install more in the
coming year.
We have a growing portfolio of neighborhood stores that use solar energy systems. Each system generates about 20% of the power needed to run an entire store. Every single solar panel installation adds up to make a big difference. Another renewable energy we are harnessing is wind power. We were one of the first U.S. retailers to use on-premise, utility-grade wind turbines at one of our distribution centers. The two 1-megawatt Mitsubishi wind turbines make a significant contribution to the power needs of our 1.9 million square foot distribution center located on 210 acres in Tracy, California.
Transportation
Our company has constantly explored technologies that can help us reduce our carbon footprint while improving our business operations and impact in the community. One area showing much promise is transportation. Our entire private truck fleet is certified by the EPA’s SmartWay program as we work to advance supply chain sustainability and freight transportation efficiency. In 2021, we were recognized as one of Heavy Duty Trucking’s Top Green Fleets
for leading the way in sustainable trucking.
In 2021, we completed the nation's first commercial 100% zero-emission refrigerated grocery delivery with a class 8 truck. We have procured several electric-powered transport refrigeration units to pair with our electric trucks in our Southern California division. The inaugural delivery, which delivered groceries to a LEED-certified Albertsons store in Irvine, California, is an exciting step toward achieving our climate action goals.
We continue to explore opportunities that reduce the impact of our fleet, including utilizing electric vehicles to supplement our existing distribution operations. At the end of 2022, 89% of our forklifts were electric, and our fleet includes 18 electric terminal tractors, 9 battery-electric refrigerated trailers, and 2 battery-electric trucks. We are piloting nitrogen transportation refrigeration units to reduce emissions from our refrigerated trailers, as well as new technology for tire monitoring in an effort to improve fuel economy.
Electric Vehicle Charging
As part of our efforts to support the planet we share, we strive to help our customers reduce their carbon footprints, too. At the end of 2022, we had more than 300 electric vehicle chargers across our portfolio that our customers used for more than 500,000 charging sessions.