Walmart's Project Gigaton: Driving Supply Chain Decarbonization
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<All-in-One Decarbonization Solution> Asuene enables companies to measure, reduce and report their GHG emission.
Asuene's latest white paper "Decarbonization From the Ground Up: 10 Pioneer Initiatives by US Businesses, States, and Cities" explores decarbonization initiatives from businesses, states and cities at the forefront of climate action in the US.
From corporate emission disclosures to a city-level carbon market, from California to Boston, these case studies show the key role of non-state actors in the low-carbon transition of the US.
Here's one of the ten stories covered in this white paper: how retail giant Walmart set a decarbonization goal for its whole supply chain, embarking thousands of suppliers in the process.
Walmart: Driving Supply Chain Decarbonization with Project Gigaton
Company Profile
Walmart, headquartered in Arkansas, is a leading multinational retail corporation with over 10,000 stores across the U.S. and 23 other countries.
As one of the world’s largest companies, Walmart’s extensive operations and vast supply chain present both significant challenges and opportunities in sustainability.
Walmart has made ambitious commitments to environmental sustainability, including reaching zero operational emissions (Scopes 1 and 2) by 2040 and achieving 100% renewable energy usage across its global operations.
The company also focuses on sustainable agriculture, waste reduction, and energy efficiency within its operations. Walmart’s sustainability strategy is grounded in reducing environmental impact while driving positive social outcomes, emphasizing both environmental and community resilience.
A key pillar of Walmart’s strategy is its Project Gigaton, launched in 2017, which aims to reduce or avoid 1 gigaton of greenhouse gas emissions from its global supply chain by 2030.
In Focus: Project Gigaton - Reducing Scope 3 Supply Chain Emissions
Walmart’s Project Gigaton is a pioneering initiative focused on reducing Scope 3 emissions, which account for the majority of the company’s carbon footprint. Through this project, Walmart has engaged nearly 6,000 suppliers across diverse sectors to take measurable actions toward emissions reduction.
The success of Project Gigaton lies in its comprehensive and practical approach. Walmart targets key emission hotspots, such as energy efficiency, packaging, food waste, and transportation.
The initiative’s collaboration with experts from organizations like the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) and World Wildlife Fund (WWF) ensures that the goals are science-based and actionable, following the guidelines of the Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi).
Project Gigaton offers significant benefits for both suppliers and customers. By optimizing agricultural practices, reducing food waste, and improving energy efficiency, suppliers not only cut emissions but also lower costs and improve product quality.
Walmart provides resources and tools, such as best-practice summits and the Circular Connector, to support suppliers of all sizes in achieving these goals.
Walmart also continuously raises the bar for its suppliers, introducing new reporting requirements and recognizing top performers as “Giga Gurus” in emissions reduction.
The initiative’s broad reach and robust support system have driven innovation and significant progress in reducing supply chain emissions.
Why It Matters
Accurately measuring and reporting GHG emissions is essential for any business looking to thrive in a low-carbon economy.
Walmart’s Project Gigaton demonstrates how proactive emissions management not only aligns with global climate goals but also offers tangible business benefits. For suppliers, understanding their carbon footprint and actively working to reduce it can lead to cost savings, improved operational efficiency, and a stronger market position.
Moreover, as more companies like Walmart require emissions data from their supply chains, those suppliers who are prepared with accurate measurements and clear reports will have a competitive advantage. This transparency is increasingly becoming a key factor in securing contracts and maintaining strong business relationships.
By adopting robust carbon accounting practices, suppliers not only contribute to global decarbonization efforts but also protect and enhance their own business resilience and growth opportunities.
Discover 9 more case studies in our white paper!
States and Cities
California | Corporate Disclosure
Washington | Cap-and-Invest
Vermont | Climate Superfund Act
Seattle | Green New Deal
Boston | Actionable Research
Businesses
Patagonia | Sustainability Branding
Colgate-Palmolive | Sustainable Product Design
Seventh Generation | Climate Fingerprint
New Belgium Brewing | Renewable Energy
Walmart | Decarbonizing Supply Chain
To receive your free copy of our white paper "Decarbonization From the Ground Up: 10 Pioneer Initiatives by US Businesses, States, and Cities", contact our international teams:
Singapore / Southeast Asia: Masaaki Hamada, Shu Setogawa
Other global regions: Shingo Yanai, Yuna Sato, Euisung Lee
Article and white paper by Wan Li and Stéfan Le Dû, Asuene Compass. Asuene Compass, the global sustainability intelligence team at Asuene, acts as the guidepost through the evolving landscape of corporate sustainability. The Asuene Compass team identifies emerging trends and regulations in decarbonization, climate policy, and broader ESG matters. This knowledge is translated into actionable insights through white papers, articles, webinars, and regular updates on our website and social media.