Our approach to climate action in our operations
To drive Scope 1 and 2 decarbonisation, we have embedded our net-zero operations targets into our financial planning decision-making frameworks and performance reporting. Our strategy focuses action on materiality and alignment with asset replacement cycles.
Our science-based targets for scope 1 and 2 emissions are:
Overall Net-Zero Targets:
A rapid reduction in emissions to meet our 1.5˚C aligned near-term targets by 2030;
Net-zero in our operations (Scope 1 and 2) by 2035;
2030 Targets
60% Energy and Industrial - reduce absolute scope 1 and 2 energy and industrial GHG emissions 60% by FY2030/31 (includes emissions and removals from bioenergy feedstocks)
30.3% FLAG - reduce absolute scope 1 FLAG GHG emissions 30.3% by FY2030/31 (includes FLAG emissions and removals). This relates to emissions and removals at the Waitrose Farm, Leckford Estate.
2035 Targets
90% Energy and Industrial - reduce absolute scope 1 and 2 energy and industrial GHG emissions 90% by FY2035/36 (includes land-related emissions and removals from bioenergy feedstocks)
72%% FLAG - reduce absolute scope 1 FLAG GHG emissions 72% by FY2035/36 (includes FLAG emissions and removals). This relates to emissions and removals at the Waitrose Farm, Leckford Estate.
All targets are from a FY 2020/21 base year.
How we are delivering on our commitment to net zero in our operations
To achieve a 60% emissions reduction by 2030/31, and our Net Zero goals our key plans include:
Our property estate:
- Electrify all our store heating systems by 2035. We are installing heat pumps, replacing gas heating systems, alongside our store upgrade and maintenance programme, as well as looking at other solutions such as infrared panels for heating;
- We are targeting an absolute reduction of 25% in our energy consumption across our estate by 2028 (from a 2018 baseline). We continue to deploy the pioneering AirDoor™ technology which lessens hot and cold air infiltration into a building, thereby reducing the energy consumption required to regulate temperatures;
- We are upgrading our refrigeration systems with water-cooled alternatives to hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) so all Waitrose core store refrigeration will be HFC free by 2028;
- We have a target for 100% of our electricity to be certified as renewable by 2028. We utilise Power Purchase Agreements, onsite renewables and purchasing electricity through a renewable tariff with the appropriate certificates to achieve this aim.
Our fleet:
- We are committed to ending the use of fossil fuels in our transport operations by 2030 by converting our heavy trucks to biomethane by 2028 and electrifying our wider fleet;
- We have introduced biomethane refuelling stations and electric charging infrastructure.
Our farm:
- We are committed to reducing the emissions at the Waitrose Farm, Leckford Estate to Net Zero ahead of 2035, as a flagship of our Farming for Nature programme.
- We are utilising regenerative practices, reducing fertiliser usage and aiming to optimise the health of our soil to reduce our carbon footprint.
Performance in our operations
We have reduced our Scope 1 and 2 energy and industrial emissions year on year since our baseline year of 2020/21.
Details of our annual performance are available in the Ethics & Sustainability Performance Data Report
Our approach to climate action in our value chain
The Partnership’s scope 3 emissions comprise 98% of our total carbon emissions. We are working hard with our suppliers and customers to reduce the impact in line with our commitments to reach net zero by 2050. Decoupling emissions from sales by capturing improvements in the supply chain will be key to achieving our goals.
Our science-based targets for scope 3 emissions are:
Overall Net-Zero Targets:
A rapid reduction in emissions to meet our 1.5˚C aligned near-term targets by 2030;
Net-zero across our entire value chain (Scope 3) by 2050.
2030
42% Energy and Industrial - reduce absolute scope 3 energy and industrial GHG emissions from purchased goods and services and use of sold products 42% by FY 2030/31
30.3% FLAG - reduce absolute scope 3 FLAG GHG emissions 30.3% by FY2030 (includes FLAG emissions and removals)
No deforestation across its primary deforestation-linked commodities with a target date of FY2025/26.
2050
90% energy and industrial - reduce absolute scope 3 energy and industrial GHG emissions 90% by FY2050
72% FLAG - reduce absolute scope 3 FLAG GHG emissions 72% by FY2050 (includes FLAG emissions and removals)
All targets are from a FY 2020/21 base year.
How we are delivering on our commitment to net zero in our value chain
- We are committed to delivering net-zero GHG emissions from our own-brand UK farms by 2035. As part of our Farming for Nature programme, all UK farms will be using regenerative practices by 2030
- Working with key Waitrose & John Lewis suppliers to set science-based targets;
- Supporting our key suppliers to develop reduction roadmaps;
- Reducing the impact of the products we sell through responsible sourcing e.g. deforestation and conversion free commodities;
- Reducing packaging where possible and making own brand primary product packaging widely recyclable, reusable or home compostable
- Launching our PlantLiving and Good Health ranges, with over 2000 products now labelled as Good Health
- Selling efficient electrical products for usage in our customers homes
- Developing our circular economy proposition, including pre-loved
Performance in our value chain
Our scope 3 performance is currently tied to our sales performance and any mix changes in the product assortment that we sell. We are working to increase the amount of primary data in our carbon reporting, so that we can better track the interventions and hard work our suppliers and farmers are conducting. We are working on forward-looking scenario planning to model the likely impact of interventions and business growth as we project our path to net zero in scope 3. We appreciate this is a shared challenge across industry and welcome efforts to work collaboratively.
|
Scope 3 GHG emissions |
2020/21 |
2021/22 |
2022/23 |
2023/24 |
2024/25 |
|
% change - energy & industrial |
Baseline |
-12% |
-26% |
-29% |
-28% |
|
% change - FLAG |
Baseline |
-4% |
-13% |
-16% |
-15% |
Methodology
Our approach follows the Greenhouse Gas Protocol and ensures adherence with the SBTi guidance. We adopt a hybrid approach, focusing our efforts on the most material area of our overall carbon footprint. For the products sold in John Lewis and Waitrose we utilise volume data and for some own-brand product specific recipe data to accurately calculate our carbon emissions, and to allow for the impact of our decisions to be reflected in our carbon footprint. We are working to evolve our approach, to incorporate supplier specific data and product carbon footprints so we can accurately reflect the work going on in our supply chains to reduce emissions.