Target has recently announced a new set of goals that will help the company accomplish two things. First, they’ll build on the previous goals the company set back in 2017—increasing their impact. And second, they’ll lay out a new reduction target for the retailer’s entire supply chain, where 96% of greenhouse gas emissions related to its business come from.
Target says the key will be unifying its suppliers around these same goals, whether they’re working with the raw materials that create Target’s products, or they’re manufacturing and transporting those products to store shelves.
Specifically, Target will reduce its absolute Scope 1, 2 and 3 greenhouse gas emissions 30% below 2017 levels by 2030. The company is also committing that 80% of its suppliers will set science-based reduction targets on their Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2023.
Target has partnered with Anthesis for guidance to ensure these goals met the rigorous requirements of the Science Based Target initiative (SBTi). SBTi is the organization that helps companies align with climate science and the Paris Agreement, keeping global temperature increases below 2 degrees Celsius.
How They’ll Do It
To reduce Scope 1 and 2 emissions, Target will continue to ramp up investments in renewable energy and energy saving efforts across the business. For example, the company is installing LED lights in buildings. Its Texas wind power project offsets the electricity use of 60 area stores. And they’re adding solar rooftop panels at 500 locations by 2020.
To reduce Scope 3 emissions, Target plans to work with suppliers to transition to renewable energy sources and implement emissions reduction projects. The company also plans to expand its Clean by Design initiative by partnering with the Apparel Impact Institute to scale performance improvement programs that focus on reducing energy use and emissions in suppliers’ factories. In addition, the company will leverage its Vietnam Improvement Program in partnership with the International Finance Corporation as it increases factories’ energy and water efficiency.
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