Our ambitions and progress
Achieve net zero in our own operations by 2035
Scope 1 and 2 emissions are those generated directly by our operations. Globally, the food sector contributes to around one third of all Greenhouse gas emissions, so as a major food retailer, we know that we have a responsibility to mitigate our impact on the planet - reducing the emissions that our direct operations generate is a key part of this.
To grow our business sustainably, we are cutting carbon and maximising energy efficiency - leveraging innovation and technology to ensure that we can serve our customers with fewer emissions.
52.8%
reduction in our absolute greenhouse gas emissions from our own operations, versus our 2018/19 baseline
30%
of our electricity sourcing comes from wind energy
100%
renewable electricity since 2022
A rating
in our 2024 CDP climate change disclosure for the 11th year running
Our areas of focus
There are lots of part of our business that we need to use energy to deliver for our customers. From keeping our food cool across our stores, to getting online orders to people across the UK.
We are focused on four core areas when it comes to reducing our Scope 1 and 2 emissions heating, refrigerant gas, delivery vehicles and logistics fuel.
We are focused on four core areas when it comes to reducing our Scope 1 and 2 emissions heating, refrigerant gas, delivery vehicles and logistics fuel.
Renewable energy and energy efficiency
Making our stores more energy efficient, increasing the amount of renewable electricity and investing in energy efficiency is one of our main focuses to reduce emissions in our own operations. Our estate has been powered with 100% renewable electricity since 2022/23 and since then we have continued to invest in new renewable capacity through both wind and solar photovoltaic (PV) systems. We also continue to invest in energy efficiency, including installing new PV systems, trialling next generation innovative LED lighting, investing in engineering innovation and working to reduce air infiltration through the installation of AirDoors in our stores.
Reducing the use of refrigerant gas
We’re replacing fridges that use hydrofluorocarbon refrigerant gases with more energy efficient fridges that use natural CO2 refrigerant classes. We’re also working with external partners to develop solutions for using natural refrigerant gas.
Making our heating more efficient
We’re installing Refrigeration Integrating Heating and Cooling systems, which replaces natural gas heating by using the refrigeration systems to provide a store’s heating and cooling requirements. These installations are in alignment with our refrigeration replacement schemes. We’re also working to control air infiltration within our stores through the installation of AirDoors, which prevent the loss of conditioned air and reduces the requirement for space heating, leading to lower energy consumption.
Decarbonising our fleet
We operate a fleet of vehicles to support us in serving our customers around the UK, and we’re working on transitioning our fleet to alternative fuel by 2035. We’re continuing to trial using Electric Vehicles in our Grocery Online operations testing different brands of EVs to determine which work best operationally.
Case study
AirDoors, helping to reduce store energy use
Sainsbury’s is working to control air infiltration within our stores through the installation of AirDoors and the modelling of lobby design. The Formula One-inspired AirDoor technology uses a series of high-powered fans to create an air barrier at the entrance to the stores.
This prevents the loss of conditioned air and reduces the requirement for space heating. Therefore improving energy efficiency and mitigating heat loss to create a more stable internal temperature, leading to lower energy consumption.
Case study
Eighth wind farm now helping to power Sainsbury’s
We added our eighth wind farm Power Purchase Agreement to our portfolio this year, significantly increasing our use of renewable electricity and aligning with our goal to reduce Scope 2 emissions. Pines Burn Wind Farm in Scotland provides 100 per cent of electricity generated to Sainsbury’s.
The new wind farm, featuring seven turbines, adds 33.6 MW of renewable capacity to the grid and is expected to generate 92,000 MWh of electricity annually, covering approximately 3 per cent of Sainsbury's annual electricity needs. Wind energy makes up over 30 per cent of our electricity sourcing, with the remainder from other 100 per cent renewable sources.
Case study
Innovating to reduce food waste and carbon
We announced that from March 2025, we would be using food waste to power 30 delivery trucks at our Emerald Park distribution centre in Bristol, in a UK-first, fully circular trial alongside our food processing partner RenEco. RenEco works with us to convert surplus food that’s unfit for human consumption into biogas via anaerobic digestion.
For the trial, the biogas will be used to create a 100 per cent liquid biomethane fuel that comes directly from our supply chain and can power our HGVs. As an alternative to diesel, using biomethane will save over 3,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide per year, with a tonne of food waste producing enough fuel for around 250 miles of HGV transport – the equivalent of over 150 litres of diesel. The circular system will also allow for more precise tracking of our GHG emissions.
