METRO aims to improve its environmental performance in several ways. Our priorities: reduce our greenhouse gas emissions, manage our waste and reduce food waste.
Climate change
Our ambition is to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions to limit global warming by focusing our efforts on key sectors over which we have direct operational control. Through these actions, we aim to contribute to the collective effort to transition to a lower-carbon economy.
Objective
- Reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 37.5% by 2035 compared to 2020 for an average reduction of 2.5% per year
- The main sources of GHG emissions that will be the target of our reduction programs are building energy consumption, refrigerants, waste and transport
For information on our key performance indicators, see our 2022-2026 Corporate Responsibility Plan
Climate change
Our ambition is to reduce our greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to limit global warming by focusing our efforts on key sectors over which we have direct operational control. Through these actions, we aim to contribute to the collective effort to transition to a lower-carbon economy.
Our objective
Reduce GHG emissions by 37.5% by 2035 compared to 2020 for an average reduction of 2.5% per year
To learn more
METRO has been working on reducing its greenhouse gas emissions intensity for several years.
Our teams invest efforts in the sectors that are most critical for our company:
- Building energy consumption
- Refrigerants
- Waste
- Merchandise transport
Sources of GHG emissions
(2020)
Scope 1
Refrigerant leaks
Transport (by METRO vehicles: between distribution centres and stores, for e-commerce and business travel)
Building energy consumption (use of natural gas, diesel generators and propane floor burnishers)
Scope 2
Building energy consumption (electricity)
Scope 3
Waste elimination
Merchandise transport (by third parties between distribution centres and stores)
Carbon footprint
METRO reports its GHG emissions every year to CDP, an international organization that holds an important database on the environmental performance of companies.
See our 2021 CDP declaration
Corporate and franchised stores – Québec and Ontario (2020)
2020 Intensity: 22,36 kg CO2 eq./sq. ft.
2019 Intensity: 22,29 kg CO2 eq./sq. ft.
2018 Intensity: 23,88 kg CO2 eq./sq. ft.
2017 Intensity: 25,63 kg CO2 eq./sq. ft.
2016 Intensity: 25,31 kg CO2 eq./sq. ft.
2015 Intensity: 25,85 kg CO2 eq./sq. ft.
Optimization measures
Since 2016, we have been reviewing our practices and equipment to optimize energy consumption in our stores.
- The optimization of our current systems has led to average in-store energy savings of nearly 10% compared to their original performances.
- We integrated new building standards for our stores, including LED lighting and CO2 refrigeration systems. These measures lead to a 25% reduction in our average energy consumption compared to 2010.
More information on our energy efficiency measures for transport and the optimization of the energy consumption of our buildings is available in our 2021 Corporate Responsibility Report (PDF)
Waste
Our ambition is to avoid sending waste generated by our activities to landfill with the view to achieving zero waste at our locations, representing a diversion rate of at least 90%. We intend to enhance our performance by mobilizing our teams to optimize our operational practices.
Objective
- Improve the average diversion rate of all our establishments compared to 2020:
- Corporate and franchise food stores:
- Achieve zero waste in 25% of stores
- Achieve 80 to 89% diversion in 25% of stores
- Achieve at least 50% diversion in all stores
- Distribution and production centres:
- Achieve zero waste
For information on our key performance indicators, see our 2022-2026 Corporate Responsibility Plan
Waste
Our ambition is to avoid sending waste generated by our activities to landfill with the view to achieving zero waste at our locations, representing a diversion rate of at least 90%. We intend to enhance our performance by mobilizing our teams to optimize our operational practices.
To learn more
Our waste management program aims to reduce the environmental impacts of eliminating residual materials, including GHG emissions, and facilitate their valorization.
Most of METRO’s waste is generated by its network of stores. Nearly one third of the materials are organic, and a special program was therefore implemented to reduce food waste.
2021 at a glance
Waste recovered (tonnes)
Corporate and franchised stores – Québec and Ontario
29% Organic material
34,299 t51% Cardboard
59,024 t20% Other materials
22,907 t100%116,230 t
Further details are available in our 2021 Corporate Responsibility Report (PDF)
Over the next few years, we will continue to work in collaboration with our in-store teams to improve our performance and reach our full potential.
Diversion rate
The waste diversion rate represents the portion of waste that is not sent to landfills.
2021
67%2020
67%2019
66%2018
65%2017
67%2016
64%Food waste
Our ambition is to ensure that food that is safe for consumption and food residue generated by our activities are not thrown away. By redistributing them to organizations or giving them a second life, we are helping to address food insecurity and reduce the GHG emissions caused by landfilled organic waste.
Objective
- Reduce food waste in our activities by 50% by 2025 compared to 2016
For information on our key performance indicators, see our 2022-2026 Corporate Responsibility Plan
Food waste
Our ambition is to ensure that food that is safe for consumption and food residue generated by our activities are not thrown away. By redistributing them to organizations or giving them a second life, we are helping to address food insecurity and reduce the GHG emissions caused by landfilled organic waste.
To learn more
METRO is committed to reducing the food waste generated by our activities by half by 2025 compared to 2016 in an effort to tackle two major challenges for society:
- Food insecurity
- Environmental impacts generated by the landfilling of organic waste
Approach
Reduction at the source
We implemented measures to ensure products are sold and consumed by our customers rather than thrown out or donated. For example, we introduced discount programs for fresh and consumable products that are close to their expiry date.
Donation of unsold items
Through the One More Bite program, METRO provides unsold quality products to its partners: Food Banks of Québec, Second Harvest and Feed Ontario. Between 2016 and 2021, more than 18 million kilograms of food were recovered in our participating stores and redistributed to those in need.
Valorization of food residues
We make the most of recovery channels to give food residues a second life. For example, we send residues to processors (for animal feed and industrial uses) and industries that produce compost and biogas.