METRO updates climate targets
17 June 2025
METRO has updated its group-wide climate targets and adapted them to the requirements of the Paris Climate Agreement and thus to the new standards of the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). The company is thus underlining its commitment to sustainable business practices and scientifically based emissions reductions.
The updated targets take into account not only emissions from the company's own business operations (Scope 1 and 2) but also indirect emissions along the value chain (Scope 3).
The new reduction targets are shown in the graphic:
‘Scientifically based climate targets are crucial to effectively addressing the challenges of climate change,’ says Ivonne Bollow, Senior Vice President Corporate Communications, Public Policy & Responsibility at METRO AG. ‘Sustainability and economic activity must go hand in hand, because by consistently integrating our climate targets into our sCore growth strategy, we are demonstrating that sustainable business is also forward-looking business. We are therefore well on track to achieve our ambitions for 2030.’
Progress achieved and strategic integration into sCore strategy
With the renewal of its climate targets, METRO is committed to the sustainable transformation of the company and is actively driving change along the value chain. METRO has already made considerable progress in its own business operations. Measures such as the F-gas exit, energy efficiency programmes and investments in renewable energies (e.g. photovoltaic systems and power purchase agreements) led to a reduction in emissions of approximately 30% compared to 2019/20 by the end of the 2023/24 financial year and is therefore well on track to achieve its 2030 ambitions (Scope 1 & 2, own business operations).
However, particular challenges exist in the area of Scope 3 emissions, which account for around 90% of METRO's carbon footprint. These are mainly generated by the so-called Product Carbon Footprint (PCF), which includes both non-FLAG emissions (e.g. from packaging production) and FLAG emissions (e.g. methane emissions from agricultural processes). As METRO can only have an indirect influence here as a wholesaler, the company relies on close cooperation and regular dialogue with its suppliers and also on their activities.
In addition, the targets for further reducing food surpluses have been adjusted to the current European Union regulations and the new CSRD reporting requirements. The new target of reducing food waste in our own operations by 30% by 2030 compared to the base year 2021/22 is an absolute target and is therefore no longer linked to the growth or size of the company. In addition to optimising supply chain processes, the achievement of this target will be driven by dynamic price adjustments based on durability and demand, as well as the expansion of food donations in cooperation with food bank organisations and via food-sharing apps. In addition, automated, AI-supported order management systems will be used in ultra-fresh areas to minimise overstocking and food waste.