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.

Climate protection target

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.

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

Amount of solid waste and recycling rate (in kg per m² of selling and delivery space and in %)

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.

One of the drivers of climate change is deforestation - the loss of natural forests and vegetation, for example through conversion to agricultural or other non-forestry land. In addition, deforestation is often linked to other environmental and social problems, such as the loss of biodiversity and the violation of social standards of the local population when the original inhabitants of the forests are forced to leave their homes.

Deforestation is an important issue for the food sector as it is mainly caused by the production of soya, palm oil, beef, coffee, cocoa, paper and wood. METRO trades in products that are made from or contain these raw materials. As a wholesaler and part of the supply chain of products we source, we are taking action to change the way these raw materials are sourced in order to end deforestation. This also contributes to the sustainability of our customers' businesses as we empower our customers to make more sustainable choices when they buy from us.

We recognise the global framework of the Sustainable Development Goals and the United Nations Global Compact, and our approach to deforestation-free supply chains builds on cooperation in the spirit of Sustainable Development Goal 17. We committed to more sustainable procurement years ago in specific procurement guidelines for soya, palm oil, paper and wood as well as for meat individually and are now revising these procurement guidelines in the form of an overarching METRO deforestation policy so that we implement the requirements of the European Deforestation Regulation. Due to the complexity and interdependence of the supply chains, we are also working together with other players along the supply chains of relevant raw materials as well as with other wholesalers and retailers and representatives of governments and non-governmental organisations. Only joint, co-operative initiatives can lead to sustainable effects and only in this way can we use our leverage equally effectively.

Important elements of our cooperation initiatives are our memberships, actions and commitments on deforestation in the Consumer Goods Forum Forest Positive Coalition, the Roundtable on Responsible Soy (RTRS), the Transparent Soy Coalition (STC), the Transparent Palm Oil Coalition (POTC) and the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) as well as our declaration of support for the Cerrado Manifesto and the cooperation and demand for certified products according to certification systems of relevant product groups.

There is a need for action at various levels within the respective supply chains: working with farmers, producers, traders, suppliers and manufacturers to enable them to fulfil the requirements are important steps on the way to deforestation-free supply chains, as are certification systems. But we must also always keep in mind the specific landscape areas in which these actors operate, as well as the environmental, social, economic and governmental conditions prevailing there, otherwise the measures will not bring the desired long-term success.

To check whether what we do meets market expectations, we disclose our activities, e.g. in the CDP Forest Questionnaire and within the Consumer Goods Forum Forest Positive Coalition, and we also learn from independent third-party assessments and discussions with NGOs.

In December 2024, METRO was rated B overall in the CDP Forests Index. Read more in the CDP submission Forests 2024.

Consumer Goods Forum Forest Positive Coalition

The Consumer Goods Forum (CGF) has launched the Forest Positive Coalition of Action (FPC), which is led by 21 companies with a collective market value of around USD 2 trillion.

METRO is a member of the Forest Positive Coalition of Action and is part of three of the coalition's four working groups: Palm, Soya and Beef.

The Forest Positive Coalition was established to promote the collective action of its member companies and to use their collective influence to drive and accelerate efforts to eliminate deforestation, forest conversion and degradation not only in their own commodity supply chains, but throughout their suppliers' supply chains. The Coalition believes that its collective influence will enable members to make progress on four goals: 1. accelerating efforts to remove commodity-driven deforestation from individual supply chains; 2. setting higher expectations for traders to act across their supply base; 3. driving change in key commodity landscapes; 4. defining measurable outcomes that all members will report on, both individually and collectively.

The coalition is supported by the Tropical Forest Alliance (TFA) and Proforest, both of which provide important logistical support and implementation assistance. The coalition is also working with the CGF Human Rights Coalition - Working to End Forced Labour (HRC) to align the coalition's theory of change, roadmaps (action plans) and strategies with CGF's priority sector principles against forced labour.

More information about the Consumer Goods Forum's Forest Positive Coalition of Action and the action plans per working group can be found here.

As a member of the Forest Positive Coalition of Action, METRO reports on actions to end deforestation and forest conversion in our soya, palm, beef, paper and timber supply chains. The most recent reports can be found below as a downloadable PDF document, along with the respective commodity policies. These measures include:

1. Regular reporting on key KPIs to maintain transparency and accountability

2. Involvement of suppliers and distributors
Supplier engagement is one of our key pillars to work towards zero deforestation and zero forest conversion in our supply chain for the different raw materials. Our main focus is on our own brand suppliers and understanding our own sourcing base, including the footprint, origin and risk of deforestation or forest conversion. In addition, we also work with A-brand suppliers through various initiatives such as the Forest Positive Coalition and in collaboration with non-governmental organisations.

3. Initiatives for landscape conservation
To complement our efforts beyond our supply chain and recognising the importance of multi-stakeholder work, we are committed to supporting initiatives that promote positive forest development at landscape level. Since 2021, METRO has contributed financially to two landscape projects in key source countries, and these projects have now been completed. The aim of these projects was to combat deforestation and land use in certain regions and to improve the living conditions of small local farmers. The initiatives are:

METRO Deforestation Policy

METRO is currently developing a new overarching deforestation policy that will replace the product-specific purchasing policies and their targets outlined below. With this new deforestation policy, METRO will implement the requirements of the European Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). Until the new deforestation policy becomes applicable, the existing sustainable procurement policies will continue to apply, but the targets and KPIs described therein will not be updated or have not been renewed.

Soy

Following our Metro Soy Procurement Policy (2019), we work on zero deforestation and conversion free within our soy supply chains. For this, we engage with our suppliers, focusing on own brand (private label) products with both soy as a main ingredient or as animal feed.

As member of the Consumer Goods Forum Forest Positive Soy Working Group we produced a roadmap with tangible actions to reach zero deforestation and conversion free supply chains.

- Our Soy Procurement Policy is under revision due to EU Deforestation Regulation -

Palm Oil

Following our METRO Palm Oil Procurement Policy, we work towards sustainable palm oil in products in our supply chain. For METRO Germany for instance, all palm oil in our local own brand food products has been 100% RSPO certified ‘segregated’, meaning zero deforestation, since 2018.

We publicly report on the progress made against our palm oil commitment in the annual ACOP report of the RSPO, showing the overall palm oil volumes and the share of certification. This information is also published here.

- Palm Procurement Policy under revision due to EU Deforestation Regulation -

Paper & Wood

Paper and wood products are also a cause of deforestation and forest conversion. This is why METRO has been committed to more sustainable products made from paper and wood since 2012 with our Procurement Policy for Paper and Wood. With this policy, we want to ensure that our own-brand products made of wood or wood fibres come from legal and responsibly managed forests. METRO has also committed to reducing the environmental impact of the packaging of its own-brand products throughout the entire product life cycle. More information here.

- Our Paper and Wood Procurement Policy under revision due to EU Deforestation Regulation -

Beef

Within the scope of our Meat Procurement Policy, Beef has a special focus to ensure that it does not contribute to deforestation or forest conversion.

With these commitments, we want to ensure that the raw material affected by deforestation is harvested in accordance with the applicable laws of the country of origin, that the forest is managed in accordance with the principles of sustainable forest management that balance social, economic and environmental needs, and that the traditional and civil rights of indigenous peoples, local communities and labourers who benefit from forest management and production are respected and protected. In addition, we want to ensure that ecosystems, biodiversity and ecological processes are maintained or restored, particularly with regard to forests of high conservation value, and that an appropriate management plan and monitoring process is implemented and documented.

- Policy under revision due to EU Deforestation Regulation -