Working together against climate change

The urgency to take action against climate change is high. The food industry is responsible for a third of global greenhouse gas emissions. We have therefore committed to the Science Based Target initiative (SBTi) and have formulated clear goals:

Scope 1 and 2: reduce our own CO₂e emissions by 85% by 2030 (compared to 2022)
Scope 3: reduce CO₂e emissions in our product chains by 50% by 2030 (compared to 2022)

The Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Protocol is the standard used for uniformly calculating CO₂e emissions, and to calculate the base year for the SBTi. The GHG Protocol divides the CO₂e footprint into so-called scopes: 1, 2 and 3.

Scope 1 – our own activities: These are the direct emissions from our own business operations, for example emissions from our buildings, transport and production-related activities. This includes diesel generators and heating systems we use, our cars or trucks, and the use of coolants/refrigerants. 

Scope 2 – indirectly purchased energy: This refers to the indirect emission of CO₂ through the generation of electricity or heat that we purchase and use. Our business uses this heat, but we do not generate it ourselves. This heat generation physically takes place somewhere else, for example in a power plant. 

Scope 3 – emissions in the chain: This refers to the indirect emissions from business activities that are not owned or managed by us. For example, the business activities of suppliers of goods and services we purchase.

Achieving our shared climate ambition requires all of us to act now. We are asking our suppliers to:  

1. Commit to the 1.5 degree scenario of the SBTi (Companies taking action - Science Based Targets)before the end of May 2024.

2. Start mapping their own CO₂e emissions for scopes 1, 2 and 3, and set a Science Based Target. From the moment of commitment, you have a maximum of two years to set your goals.

Of course, we always welcome more ambitious goals and plans.

Commitment is de eerste stap in het zetten van een Science-Based Target. Om te committeren dient een leverancier zich online bij het SBTi te registreren en een standaard commitment brief naar het SBTi te sturen. Deze eerste stap kost niet veel tijd, het echte werk begint daarna pas. Na deze commitment stap heeft de leverancier 24 maanden de tijd om een Science-based target op te stellen en in te dienen voor validatie. Aan de commitment stap zijn geen kosten verbonden. Aan de validatie-stap zijn wel kosten verbonden, die kun je hier vinden SBTi-Target-Validation-Service-Offerings.pdf (sciencebasedtargets.org).

Commitment is the first step towards setting a Science Based Target. A supplier must first register online with the SBTi and send a standard commitment letter to the SBTi. This first step does not take much time, but then the real work starts... After this commitment step, the supplier has 24 months to set a Science Based Target and submit it for validation. This first commitment step is free. There are costs associated with the validation step, which you can find here: SBTi-Target-Validation-Service-Offerings.pdf (sciencebasedtargets.org)

Together with other retail chains Ahold Delhaize, Lidl, Superunie and the purchasing alliance EMD, Jumbo has joined the Impact Buying Climate Consortium, with the aim of developing a joint workable approach and measuring method that will lead to a new standard for the entire market. A pilot is now underway with around 60 suppliers, who have also been asked to provide scope 1, 2 and 3 data. Once this pilot has concluded, we will also ask other suppliers to provide scope 1, 2 and 3 data.

In addition to providing this data, we are also researching whether we can come up with a joint approach for Product Carbon Footprints, the emissions of a specific product. We need these insights to map the emissions of all the products in our stores. Jumbo is responsible for these emissions. With these insights at product level, we can also draw up a reduction plan and monitor progress.

Jumbo uses the calculation rules of the Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Protocol, the standard in the market when it comes to CO₂e reporting. This protocol states, among other things, which emissions belong to which scope, how to deal with missing data, and how to report on your CO₂e emissions.

The SBTi also uses this protocol as the basis to determine whether a correct and complete calculation method has been applied.

We have set up a special climate page for suppliers: Jumbo Climate Program | Jumbo. It contains extensive information about our CO₂e reduction program, and a road map to help suppliers get started. The first step is to start identifying possible actions that contribute to CO₂e reduction. The next step is to get more insight into the investments, both in terms of funds and resources, required for each action and set priorities based on these insights. Try to track all your actions over time, to see whether they add up to the intended objective.
In addition, we are planning to organize workshops in early 2024 where we want to explain suppliers what our climate objectives are, share our experiences with them, to then take the next steps together.

Some general reduction measures to help you get started:

·  Switch to (self-generated) renewable energy and increase your energy efficiency. 
·  Electrify transport and optimize your transport organization where possible.
·  Minimize waste and spillage, valorize residual and waste flows by, for example, using it for food or animal feed.
·  Ensure a deforestation-free supply chain.
·  Use sustainable forms of agriculture and livestock farming, ensure CO₂ sequestration through optimal soil use and plant landscape elements. Optimize livestock feed. 
· Minimize packaging, use reusable and recyclable packaging.
· Replace animal-based ingredients with plant-based ingredients.