Sustainable business operations

A responsible consumption of energy and other natural resources is crucial for all of us. The use of resources has a direct effect on our operating costs and may entail undesirable environmental implications, such as the emission of climate-damaging greenhouse gases. We strive to reduce the climate-relevant emissions caused by our business operations and our consumption of natural resources. We do this by focusing on intelligent energy consumption and investments aimed at increasing our energy efficiency. Adopting targeted measures enables us to reduce consumption levels as well as costs. In financial year 2016/17, our group has invested €18.2 million in programmes such as the METRO Cash & Carry Energy Saving Programme – predominantly for the installation of LED and other energy-efficient lighting systems and enclosed refrigeration counter units in the wholesale outlets and additionally for the development of renewable energies. Our goal is to save more than €4.6 million in energy costs per year. We are also committed to responsible resource management, for example in the areas of our logistics fleets, refrigerants and paper. Our group’s facility management is also aligned with the notion of sustainability. We have invested in converting our refrigeration systems to natural refrigerants and have opened our second green store in Jinan, China.

Further key focal issues in relation to sustainable business operations are the prevention of waste, the reuse of resources and their recovery by means of recycling. The reduction of food waste is an issue of particular importance for the operational business of METRO. Every food product that is sorted out or discarded instead of being eaten represents wasted economic, social and environmental resources. METRO has therefore committed itself to the Resolution on Food Waste by the Consumer Goods Forum (CGF) and thus to eliminate 50% of the volume of food waste in our outlets by the year 2025.

Status climate protection target

From October 2016 to September 2017, METRO generated 296 kilograms of CO₂ equivalent per square metre of selling space. This figure is down from 299 kg in the previous year’s period. Our goal is to reduce these emissions to 184 kg by 2030. To achieve this goal, we are focusing our efforts on reducing our energy consumption and lowering our refrigeration emissions.

Climate protection target status

Greenhouse gas emissions in kg CO₂ (CO₂-equivalent) per m² sales floor