Climate protection

Driven by Conviction, Community and Collaboration.

We are food experts with 60 years of experience, operating in 32 countries across the world, and employing around 90,000 people. Here we show you how we tackle climate change.

METRO has revised its group-wide climate protection targets. In doing so, METRO is renewing and updating its previous commitment to the Science Based Target Initiative (SBTi), taking into account the current requirements - namely limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees in accordance with the Paris Climate Agreement.

METRO is committed to the following targets:

• Reduction of Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 42% by 2030 (BY: 2019/2020)
• Reduction of Scope 3 emissions (value chain without FLAG) by 25% by 2030 (BY: 2021/2022)
• Reduction of Scope 3 emissions (FLAG value chain) by 30.3% by 2030 (BY: 2021/2022)

In addition, METRO wants to achieve net-zero by 2050.

A net-zero science-based target is a GHG mitigation target that implies:
The reduction of scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions to zero or a residual level consistent with reaching global net-zero emissions or at a sector level in eligible 1.5°C-aligned pathways and permanent neutralisation of any residual emissions at the net-zero target year and any GHG emissions released into the atmosphere thereafter. For more information: SBTi Glossary

The achievement of these targets is based on a series of initiatives in our own business operations worldwide. To this end, METRO is driving forward an ambitious package of measures supported by investments in technology and innovation.

METRO invests in:

• Energy efficiency and alternative energies
• Switching to natural refrigerants in cooling, A/C and heat pumps
• the phase-out of fossil heat
• the expansion of photovoltaic systems
• the electrification of the company car fleet, logistics
• Zero emission stores in new store buildings

In order to set an example for climate protection at the METRO Campus Düsseldorf and to make our contribution to the climate neutrality of the city of Düsseldorf, we signed the climate protection agreement ‘Düsseldorf Climate Pact with Business’ in financial year 2021/22 and are thus an official climate partner of the state capital Düsseldorf.

In addition, METRO is working with selected suppliers on more sustainable procurement, also with regard to the carbon footprint of products. There are particular challenges here in the area of Scope 3 emissions, which account for around 90% of METRO's carbon footprint. These are primarily caused by the 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). Since METRO can exert indirect influence here as a wholesaler, the company relies on close cooperation and regular dialogue with its suppliers and also on their activities. In this area, the focus is initially on particularly CO₂-intensive product groups.

More information on METRO’s Climate protection target, our carbon footprint and our KPIs can be found in the ESG KPI Report 2023/24.

METRO conserves natural resources, for example in its use of refrigerants and paper, its facilities management, and the running of its logistics fleet. The METRO environmental guidelines form the basis for our actions.

Water Policy

The METRO Water Policy outlines the overall strategy to protect water as a resource.

Water protection target

METRO set a new water savings target in financial year 2021/22: By 2030, specific water consumption in its own business operations is expected to be reduced by 10% per square metre of net operating area compared to the base year 2020/21. In 2023/24 METRO was able to reduce its absolute own consumption by 12.1% per m² used for selling and delivery operations compared to the base year 2020/21.

Since the greatest impact for water is also in the supply chain, we use the CDP Supply Chain Programme to recognise potential opportunities and risks with our suppliers at an early stage.

CDP Water

With regards to CDP reportings, METRO is also participating and rated in the areas of water protection. In the case of water, METRO achieved a B rating in 2024.

METRO wants to minimise waste - food and solid waste. It is important to us to think in life cycles and promote innovative manufacturing and recycling technologies. We advise our customers on how to dispose of products and packaging. This means raising awareness of conserving resources, providing information about avoiding waste, and incentivising and enabling correct disposal.

In September 2017, METRO AG joined the Electric Vehicle 100 (EV100) initiative with other international companies. The aim of this initiative is to promote electric mobility. The initiative was founded by the Climate Group, an international association of regions and companies committed to an active climate policy. By joining the EV100 initiative, METRO has committed itself to advancing the expansion of charging infrastructure, including the parking lots of local METRO stores to 1,000 charging points till 2030. The target was already achieved in the 2022/2023 financial year. The wholesale specialist also promotes electric mobility in its own fleet of vehicles to reach nearly 100% availability of electrical or high-quality hybrid vehicles by 2030.