BRAMPTON, ON, Dec. 14, 2016 /CNW/ - Loblaw Companies Limited (TSX: L) today announced a commitment and strategy to reduce its carbon footprint 20 per cent by 2020 and 30 per cent by 2030. The company, which ranks among Canada's top energy users by virtue of its extensive retail network and trucking fleet, has an action plan focused on energy-efficient stores and distribution centres, fuel-efficient transportation, and managing refrigerants and organic waste diversion.

"At Loblaw, we recognize the growing environmental, social and business impact of greenhouse gas emissions," said Galen G. Weston, Executive Chairman and President, Loblaw Companies Limited. "As one of Canada's largest energy users, we are committed to being part of the solution. We will deliver carbon-reduction in line with our nation's targets and demonstrate, along with other forward-looking Canadian companies, that these goals can be achieved without sacrificing economic growth."

Loblaw's greenhouse gas reduction targets are relative to a 2011 baseline established for corporate-owned facilities, which include distribution centres, offices, and retail stores. The company continues to work toward capturing emissions data in franchised operations, third-party fleet, and products that fall outside of these targets and will develop action plans to achieve further reductions.

Since 2011, Loblaw has initiated a growing number of carbon-reduction measures including centralized energy management, lighting conversions, systems and methods to control refrigerant leaks, equipment upgrades, improvements to truck aerodynamics and fuel use, and more.

Key strategies to achieve the full 30 per cent reduction announced today, include installing new refrigeration systems that use carbon dioxide as a refrigerant, calibrating and optimizing energy management systems, and reducing waste to landfill.

By 2030, Loblaw will have reduced emissions associated with: electricity consumption by 35 per cent, transportation by 25 per cent, and refrigerants by 50 per cent, and will improve waste diversion to 80 per cent in stores and 95 per cent in distribution centres.

"We understand and embrace the importance of carbon reduction to our customers and our colleagues," said Bob Chant, Senior Vice President, Corporate Affairs, Loblaw Companies Limited. "We are proud that our strategy is informed by science, economics and the valuable input of our customers and various NGO partners."

"Everyone has a role to play to combat climate change, and it cannot be reversed without definitive action by businesses," said David Miller, President and CEO, WWF-Canada. "This commitment reinforces Loblaw's leadership, demonstrating an understanding that carbon reduction is within their control."  

"It is exciting to see Canadian businesses moving from a discussion about reducing greenhouse gases to meaningful action," Bruce Lourie, President, Ivey Foundation.  "Loblaw's commitment to company-wide carbon targets demonstrates their ongoing leadership in corporate responsibility and sustainability."

The company is committed to reporting progress towards these carbon reduction targets and will do so in greater detail in its annual CSR report, the next to be released in Spring 2017.

About Loblaw Companies Limited
Loblaw Companies Limited is Canada's food and pharmacy leader, the nation's largest retailer, and the majority unit holder of Choice Properties Real Estate Investment Trust. Loblaw provides Canadians with grocery, pharmacy, health and beauty, apparel, general merchandise, banking, and wireless mobile products and services. With more than 2,300 corporate, franchised and Associate-owned locations, Loblaw, its franchisees, and Associate-owners employ approximately 192,000 full and part-time employees, making it one of Canada's largest private sector employers.

Loblaw's purpose – Live Life Well – puts first the needs and well-being of Canadians who make one billion transactions annually in the companies' stores. Loblaw is positioned to meet and exceed those needs in many ways: convenient locations; more than 1,050 grocery stores that span the value spectrum from discount to specialty; full-service pharmacies at more than 1,250 Shoppers Drug Mart® and Pharmaprix® locations and more than 500 Loblaw locations; PC Financial® no-fee banking; affordable Joe Fresh® fashion and family apparel; and three of Canada's top consumer brands in Life Brand®, no name® and President's Choice®. Through the PC Plus® and Shoppers Optimum® loyalty programs, more than one in every three Canadians are rewarded for shopping with the companies.

SOURCE Loblaw Companies Limited