Target to Reduce Emissions Across Supply Chain

Target Corp. has set new sustainability goals and aims to reduce emissions across its entire supply chain.

The retailer is breaking down its greenhouse gas emissions into what it calls “scopes,” which include emissions generated from Target facilities; emissions from energy used to power Target facilities; and emissions generated from the supply chain, which Target officials said make up 96% of its greenhouse gas footprint.

The goal is to reduce emissions in each of these scopes by 30%, below 2017 levels, by 2030. Additionally, 80% of Target’s suppliers will set science-based reduction goals by 2023. Target partnered with the Science Based Target Initiative to help work toward accomplishing these goals.

Brian Cornell, chairman and CEO of Target, described the efforts as reducing the retailer’s carbon footprint “from source to shelf.”

“We have a responsibility to our guests and the environment to set high expectations and encourage ambitious reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, promoting positive change throughout the industry to have an even greater impact for generations to come,” he said.

To meet these goals, the retailer will increase investments in renewable energy and energy savings efforts, such as installing LED lights in buildings and adding solar rooftop panels at 500 locations by 2020. The retailer also has a wind power project in Texas that offsets the energy usage of 60 area stores.

Target will work with its suppliers to help them transition to renewable energy sources. The retailer will also expand its Clean By Design initiative by partnering with the Apparel Impact Institute, which will work to help suppliers reduce factory emissions. IT also plans to leverage its Vietnam Improvement Program in partnership with the International Finance Corp. to increase factories’ energy and water efficiency.