Better for the Planet

This is about making our operations carbon neutral. Net zero means reducing the amount of carbon emissions we generate across our business as much as we possibly can through lowering our energy usage, and then offsetting any remaining carbon emissions effectively through a combination of generating our own energy, using renewable energy and embracing new technologies so that our carbon footprint overall is reduced to zero. .

Zero Carbon is zero carbon dioxide and greenhouse gas emissions.

Greenhouse Emissions are Gases which contribute to global warming.

When we talk about our focus on biodiversity we mean the effect of our stores on the surrounding environment and our wider impact on biodiversity globally.

For us, this means reducing water use in our operations, reusing it wherever possible and then offsetting the remaining amount. For example, 120 stores are fitted with rainwater harvesting tanks and the water collected is used in toilets and carwashes.

Operational water is direct water we use as a business, for example for taps and toilets

Food which is no longer fit for human consumption

Renewable energy is energy that comes from sources where there the supply is natural and not 'used up' when it's used to create energy, for example solar and wind power. Our current proportion of renewable energy is around 18%. Where possible we're continuing to explore how we can increase our use of green and renewable energies.

Not all our commitments hinge on a 'net zero' ambition, but there are substantial links between the areas, particularly in the effect that some, for example healthy diets, food waste, have on carbon emissions. Global warming is a key and time-pressured issue which is why we wanted to make carbon emissions central to our commitments.

We know that we can't wait to take action on climate change and have a responsibility to work with our customers, colleagues and suppliers to deliver change. The commitment to become Net Zero no later than 2040 will be central to everything we do as a business, to protect and preserve the environment so future generations can live well now and in the future.

Not at all. Minimising our impact on the environment has been a focus at Sainsbury's for many years as evidenced by our work on carbon reduction and water, for example. This is a big step change and we believe it is the most ambitious commitment within our industry

This is an ambitious target and we're on track to limit global warming by 1.5 degrees Celsius, in line with the highest ambitions of the Paris Agreement. In the last 17 years we have reduced our carbon footprint by 47% despite our space growing by 46%. We're making significant progress on our road to net zero however we can't get there on our own, to make a meaningful difference to climate change we need to collaborate with industry, work closely with our suppliers and engage our colleagues and customers to deliver against our ambitious targets. We will also work with selected suppliers to deliver against their own targets and innovate to drive lasting change.

We have set science-based targets and we will report progress against these publicly every six months.

Not at all. Minimising our impact on the environment has been a focus for ours for many years. We are the only supermarket globally to have been awarded an A rating by the CDP for six years in a row for our progress on reducing our carbon emissions.