Definition: Level of all main emissions by scope according to methodology of the Greenhouse Gas Protocol. Scope 3 was adjusted in order to harmonize the scope with the climate protection target. This applies to both the reporting year and the previous year.

The following sources of emissions are included:

• Scope 1: fuel oil, natural gas, liquefied natural gas (LNG), liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), refrigerant emissions from commercial cooling and air-conditioning as well as fuel consumption by company cars, fleet of our own logistics vehicles (FoV) and emergency power generators.
• Scope 2: electricity, heating and cooling energy consumption
• Scope 3: in-house paper consumption for advertising material and office purposes, business trips and upstream chain emissions and grid losses for all direct and indirect energy sources

A reduction of 45.6% of the above-mentioned absolute figures with regard to Scope 1, 2 and 3 has been achieved since 2011.

Explanation about the Carbon Footprint, especially about methodology and climate protection target are available at https://responsibility.metroag.de/esg-priorities/climate-carbon/climate-protection.

Greenhouse gas emissions in kg CO₂ (CO₂ equivalents) per m² selling, office and delivery space

Scope 1+2

Scope 3

Total

Definition: Greenhouse gas emissions from METRO’s stores, headquarters and warehouses as well as FSD companies by selling, delivery and office space. There may be variances from the consolidation group in financial reporting for reasons such as data availability. Also due to updated data availability the previous years’ figures were adjusted. The calculation of CO₂ emissions corresponds to the logic of the Greenhouse Gas Protocol. METRO mainly uses emission factors from DEFRA, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and the International Energy Agency (IEA). Included within the climate protection are the above-described emissions from:

• Scope 1: fuel oil, natural gas, liquefied natural gas (LNG), liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), refrigerant emissions from commercial cooling and air-conditioning as well as fuel consumption by company cars, fleet of our own logistics vehicles (FoV) and emergency power generators.
• Scope 2: electricity, heating and cooling energy consumption
• Scope 3: in-house paper consumption for advertising material and office purposes, business trips and upstream chain emissions and grid losses for all direct and indirect energy sources

Status: Compared to the base year 2011 CO₂ emissions related to the climate protection target (Scope 1-3) have been reduced by 51.9% per m² selling, office and delivery space.

Explanation: We aim to be climate-neutral by 2040 mainly through own investments. In reporting period 2021/22, we expanded our 2040 climate protection target to include emissions from our own logistics fleet (FoV). Due to this expansion, the methodology for determining the CO₂ equivalents per m² of selling, office and delivery space was adjusted and the key figures for the base year and the previous year’s values were corrected accordingly.

In the base year 2011 specific greenhouse gas emissions were 386kg CO₂/m² of selling, office and delivery space.

The significant decline in emissions to 186kg CO₂/m² of selling, office and delivery space in the reporting period 2023/24 compared with the reference year 2011 can essentially be attributed to measures to reduce consumption relating to energy, paper and business travel, and to reduce emissions caused by refrigerant loss, as well as investments in green electricity and digitization.

In addition to its climate protection target, in financial year 2018/19, METRO expanded its climate efforts to the supply chain and as the first German retailer set a recognized Science Based Target (SBTi) for itself. As part of the SBTi, METRO undertakes to reduce its Scope-1- and Scope-2-CO₂ emissions by 60% per square meter selling, office and delivery space by 2030 compared to 2011. In addition, as part of SBTi, METRO is committed to reducing absolute Scope 3 CO₂ emissions (supply chain) by 15% by 2030 compared to 2018.

METRO submitted SBTI targets as early as in 2019, they are currently being revised. This process takes account of the new provisions of the CSRD.

Definition: Trends in CO₂ emissions per m² selling, office and delivery space from all the emission sources included in the climate protection target compared to the reference year 2011.

For the first time we calculated additionally the emissions for electricity consumption according to market-based methodology. The above table shows the emission according to location-based methodology. Using market-based methodology the emissions for electricity consumption in the reporting year is 87kg CO₂ per m² selling, office and delivery space.

Electricity, heating and cooling energy consumption (in kWh per m² of selling, office and delivery space )

Heating

Electricity

Cooling

Definition: Locations’ energy consumption in relation to the selling, office and delivery space. Energy consumption consists of electricity consumption and heating and cooling energy consumption (fuel oil, natural gas, liquefied natural gas (LNG), liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), emergency power generators and district heating/cooling).

Installed on-site photovoltaic (PV) capacity

Definition: METRO has started in 2008 to install photovoltaic (PV) systems on the roofs of its stores. The size of PV systems is indicated in kilowatt peak (kWp). The capacity indicates how much energy is generated under standard test conditions. METRO reports the cumulated installation of photovoltaic systems on its stores in kWp, it does not matter if the stores or photovoltaic systems are owned by METRO. As long as METRO is using the solar energy from the PV systems for its store operations and the PV systems are located on METRO roofs, those PV systems are reported. Until 30 September 2024, METRO has installed 78 PV systems in 14 countries amounting to an installed capacity of 64,585 kWp.

8 new systems with a total capacity of 22,122 kWp were installed in the reporting year 2023/24.

Target: Within the reporting year we already reached our target to install 50,000 kWp until 2030.

Definition: Energy consumption for operating the locations and for transportation broken down into the different types of energy used. Fuel includes fuel oil, combustion fuel, natural gas and liquefied natural gas.

The renewable energy figure includes Guarantees of origin (GoO) as well as green electricity contracts with GoOs such and renewable Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) with GoOs.

METRO is using the solar energy from the PV systems for its store operations; the PV systems are installed on METRO store roofs, the energy of those PV systems are reported under self-generated renewable PV energy.

Definition: Water withdrawal in relation to the selling, office and delivery space.

Explanation: In absolute terms, METRO drew 3.0 million m³ of fresh water in the reporting period. METRO was thus able to reduce its absolute own consumption by 12.1% per m² used for selling, office and delivery operations compared to the base year 2020/21. At the warehouses, stores and headquarters, water is primarily used for cleaning and sanitary facilities. In addition to this, water may be used for storing, transporting and selling food, for example for keeping live fish or making ice to chill fresh fish.

On group level, we measure and monitor the amount of water which the company draws from the public drinking water supply. The public drinking water supply is the only source from which we draw significant amounts of water.

We also measure and monitor the total amount of wastewater we generate at the group level. As our locations do not consume a significant amount of water, our calculations are based on the assumption that the volume of wastewater is the same as the amount of fresh water. All wastewater is fed into public sewers. We do not monitor the quality of the wastewater ourselves as this is not relevant given the usage described above.

Target: METRO has already met its original target of saving 5% water by 2025 compared to the base year 2016/17. Therefore, METRO has set a new water savings target for the financial year 2021/22: By 2030, specific water consumption in own business operations is to be reduced by 10% per m² of net operating area, compared to the base year 2020/21.

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

Amount of solid waste

Recycling rate

Definition: Solid waste (excl. Food Waste) in relation to the selling, office and delivery space. The recycling rate is calculated as the amount of solid waste destined for recycling, energy recovery and composting in relation to the amount of total waste.

Explanation: Compared to the previous year, METRO recorded an increase of 2.9% per m² used for selling and delivery operations.

When we calculate the recycling rate, we do not take hazardous waste into account because we cannot systematically record the way in which it is treated (recycled or disposed of) in all of the countries in which we operate. However, based on information from several countries, most of the hazardous waste is also recycled. In reality, the recycling rate should therefore be higher.

Amount of food waste (kg per m² of selling and delivery space)

Reduction of food waste in kg per m² of selling and delivery space compared to base year 2017/18 in %

Definition: Food Waste quantities based on the area used for selling and delivery. The square metres of selling and delivery space are year-end figures (30/9/2024) for all environmental key figures. Food Waste is defined as food intended for human consumption, including inedible parts of this food that are removed from the food supply chain for recycling or disposal. Food supplements and food donations are not reported under Food Waste. According to the WRAP standard, the former do not fall into the category of food intended for human consumption and are therefore not recognised as Food Waste.

Explanation: In contrast to other key indicators in the Climate + Carbon chapter, the Food Waste indicator only shows the base year 2017/18 and the reporting year 2023/24 due to data availability. For the KPI Food Waste, there may be also variances from the consolidation group in financial reporting for reasons such as data availability.

Target: In line with the Consumer Goods Forum (CGF) resolution on Food Waste, METRO has set itself the target of reducing Food Waste in its own business operations by 50% by 2025. The 2017/18 financial year serves as the basis for this target. Our ambition is to measure, monitor and report progress in accordance with the requirements of the Food Loss and Waste Protocol.

LTIFR¹

¹ The key figure includes the METRO/MAKRO national subsidiaries. The FSD companies are not yet included for reasons of data availability, among others.

Definition: The LTIFR captures the number of incidents with at least 1 missed day of work (not including the day of the incident) per 1 million hours worked. Fatalities and cases of permanent sick leave or disability are likewise included, whereas accidents while commuting are not.

Explanation: Safety is always a top priority for METRO. Our operational safety strategy aims to raise awareness among employees that each individual bears responsibility for operational safety and contributes to eliminating and avoiding hazards. This is supported by a transparent group-wide reporting system in which we document all incidents, near misses and non-conformities.

Explanation:

All figures shown refer to own brand products only.

A product is also counted in these figures if the product range gets extended with a product qualifying under the criteria and does not necessarily only mean a reformulation of existing products.

Reformulation here means:

1. reduction of sugar-/salt-/saturated fatty acids content of 0.1g per 100g for products with a minimum content of 0.5g sugar/saturated fatty acids per 100g and 1g salt per 100g
2. removal of all additives listed in METRO’s Health & Nutrition policy and additives accepted for legitimate reasons or reduction of the number of those before mentioned additives present in the recipe

Organic products reflected in this figure refer to products from biological agriculture and meeting requirements of EU regulations (EU 834/2007, EU 889/2008 and EU 271/2010) and other applicable national organic regulations of non-EU countries.

Alternative protein products reflected in this figure refer to alternatives of animal proteins (meat, milk, fish, eggs and their derivatives) produced using novel or new technologies and ingredients, which include: Plant-based extracts e.g. pea proteins, cell-cultures (synthetic) proteins e.g. meat grown in a lab.

For these products a change of methodology has been introduced as of FY 2023/24: compared to previous years, alternative proteins products with higher number of additives vs. previous recipe shall not be considered as “healthier” hence not be reported; before, all alternative protein products were counted in.

Also, the base year and way of displaying the figures changed in reporting year 2023/24 hence makes a comparison to 2022/23 data not possible: figures shown in last year's report for FY 2021/22 and 2022/23 refer to base year 2018. Figures as of FY 2023/24 refer to the new base date of 1 October 2023 and show “less of” and “free from” as two separated figures for transparency reasons.

Social audits relating to own imports by METRO SOURCING and non-food own-brand producers of the METRO sales lines

Risky Non-Food Own Brand Producers¹ with valid audit (number)

Thereof with passed audit
(in %)

Thereof with passed audit

Thereof with failed audit

¹ This includes own brand producers of commercial goods (non-food own brands and own imports) who carry out the last decisive and value-giving production step. Regarding the definition of 'risky' refer to footnote 1 of the KPI Risky Non-Food Own Brand Producers.
² For the key figures there may be variances from the consolidation group in financial reporting for reasons such as data availability.

Definition: Status of all risky own brand producers in which METRO SOURCING International Ltd., Hongkong has import goods manufactured, and of risky non-food producers who manufacture own brands or own imports for our sales lines. Regarding the definition of “risky” refer to footnote 1 of the KPI Risky Non-Food Own Brand Producers. Producers that have passed the audit or have been approved by an exemption can demonstrate their successful compliance with the amfori BSCI standard or an equivalent social standard system by presenting a certificate awarded by an independent third party.

Explanation: 412 own brand producers were audited as of 30 September 2024. Of these, 100% (412 producers) passed the audit. Effective 1 January 2019, non-food own brand producers who fail the audit cannot be used until they achieve an acceptable audit result. In other words, they have to receive an A, B or C for the amfori BSCI assessment or an audit that is acknowledged as equivalent. In exceptional cases, D audits can also be approved if it can be proven that the points that led to the D result have been rectified, but no new audit has yet been carried out. Furthermore, a D audit may be approved in exceptional cases if an individual result in a non-critical performance area leads to an overall D result according to the audit provider’s calculation system, but the individual assessment only reveals minor shortcomings, meaning that the overall performance is acceptable.

The key performance indicator relates to all the own brand producers of which we are made aware by our suppliers.

Social audits relating to own imports by METRO SOURCING and food/near-food own brand producers of the METRO sales lines

Risky Food/Near-Food Own Brand Producers¹ with valid audit (number)

Thereof with passed audit
(in %)

Thereof with passed audit

Thereof with failed audit

¹ Regarding the definition of 'risky' refer to footnote 1 of the KPI Risky Food/Near-Food Producers.
² For the key figures there may be variances from the consolidation group in financial reporting for reasons such as data availability.

Definition: Status of all risky own brand producers in which METRO FOOD SOURCING has import goods produced, and of risky Food/Near-Food producers who produce own brands or own imports for our sales lines. Regarding the definition of “risky” refer to footnote 1 of the KPI Risky Food-/Near-Food Own Brand Producers. Own brand producers that have passed the audit can demonstrate their successful compliance with the amfori BSCI standard or an equivalent social standard system by presenting a certificate awarded by an independent third party.

Explanation: The roll-out of the process for Food/Near-Food own brand producers started end of 2019. 117 own brand producers were audited as of 30 September 2024. Of these, 100% (117 producers) passed the audit. In order to allow for a gradual onboarding of our producers into a social compliance system such as amfori BSCI or an audit scheme that is acknowledged as equivalent, all audit results are accepted and monitored closely.

The key performance indicator relates to all the producers of which we are made aware by our own brand suppliers.

Definition: Full-time equivalent employees, average for the year, excluding trainees.

Proportion of men in %

Proportion of women in %

Proportion of diverse in %

Definition: All employees¹ in functional roles in the engineering and/or research & development (R&D) departments of the company at fiscal year-end; excludes contractors, and contract-based employees.

Representative of at least 80% of the total workforce.

Engineering or R&D roles may include, but are not limited to, engineers, software engineers, software quality engineers, infrastructure engineers, systems engineers, and hardware engineers.

Employees by gender (in %)

Proportion of men in %

Proportion of women in %

Definition: The percentage of female, male and diverse¹ employees is calculated per capita as of 30 September.

Employees by age group (in %)¹

< 30 years old

30–50 years old

> 50 years old

¹ excluded JHB Group, Eijsink Group, Guenther Group and Caterite

Definition: Breakdown of employees by age group, excluding trainees, as of 30 September.

Number of nationalities

Definition: Number of different nationalities among our employees, excluding trainees, as of 30 September.

Definition: All employees considered severely disabled as defined by the respective country, or those with equivalent status.

Employee turnover by age (in %)

< 30 years old

30–50 years old

> 50 years old

Definition: Employees leaving due to retirement, death or resignation/dismissal, broken down by age. The employee turnover rate is the number of workers leaving in relation to the average number of employees.

Proportion of employees who are represented by employee representatives (%)

Proportion of employees who are not represented (%)

Definition: Proportion of employees who are represented by works councils, employee representatives, an independent trade union or whose interests are covered by collective agreements.

Definition: All trainees including interns and students.

New employees by gender (in %)

Proportion of men

Proportion of women

Proportion of new employees in relation to the average number of employees

Definition: The figure for new employees¹ includes all newly recruited employees and returning workers. The KPI shows the number of workers joining the company in relation to the average number of employees. This does not include trainees, interns, BA students and employees on temporary contracts.

New employees by age (in %)

< 30 years old

30–50 years old

> 50 years old

Definition: Breakdown of new employees by age group, average for the year. This does not include trainees, interns, BA students and employees on temporary contracts.

Managers by age (in %)

< 30 years old

30–50 years old

> 50 years old

Definition: Breakdown of managers by age group as of 30 September.

Gender breakdown in managerial positions (in %)

Proportion of men

Proportion of women

Definition: Managerial positions are those in levels 1–3 (Management Board, General Management, divisional management and store management). The percentage of male and female employees in these positions is calculated per capita as of 30 September.

Gender breakdown in managerial positions top management (in %)

Proportion of men

Proportion of women

Definition: Managerial positions are those in levels 1–3 (Management Board, General Management, divisional management and store management). The percentage of male and female employees in these positions is calculated (per capita as of 30 September).

This graph refers only to women and men in top management positions (as a % of total top management positions).

Definition: Number of different nationalities among our managers as of 30 September.

Average number of hours of CPD per employee per year

Average CPD expenditure per employee per year (in €)

¹ Reporting covers 87% of all METRO employees. This key figure includes all METRO wholesale companies as well as METRO AG.

Definition: Training (hygiene, occupational safety, etc.) and courses focusing on ongoing operations plus medium- and long-term CPD opportunities that are offered with a view to enhancing the course of business.

Explanation: The key figures for training relate to employees on a full-time basis on annual average. The reported key figures include METRO AG and METRO wholesale companies. In this financial year, both the training-related expenditures as well as the average number of hours of CPD per employee increased compared to the previous year.

Employee engagement (in %)

Engagement Score METRO

Global Retail Benchmark

Global Average

The Employee Engagement survey runs 2x per year in May and November. The figure for 2023/24 is from May 2024.

Charitable Donations
Definition: Donations for social purposes e.g. NGO, charitable organizations, disaster relief, or other purposes as well as small donations.

Community Investments
Definition: Donations for culture, sports and science. Donations in the form of a long-term investment in the community e.g. school meals, support for the disadvantaged, food bank projects.

Sponsorships that serve or promote the community in the long term e.g. Bundesverband der Tafeln e.V., World Food Programme, cultural festivals.

Commercial Initiatives
Definition: Sponsorships that are commercial and therefore do not fall under above mentioned charitable donations or community investments.