BENTONVILLE, AR - Remaining committed to achieving 100 percent renewable energy, zero-waste, and a more sustainable supply chain, Walmart has unveiled a new plan to support its supplier partners by purchasing green energy. Aiming to become a regenerative company with zero carbon emissions by 2040, the supply chain is an integral part of the retailer’s future plans.

“We launched (Gigaton PPA) because of interest from the suppliers, and just listening to them say ‘oh, we wish that we could do more in renewables, this is hard for us, we don’t have the procurement team, we don’t know how to go about it,’” said Sustainability Officer Kathleen McLaughlin in an interview with CNBC. “It really fits with our whole philosophy and approach with Project Gigaton, which is to encourage a higher ambition, and faster, more impactful action from suppliers decarbonizing the supply chain by providing them access to practical tools.”

Building on its Project Gigaton Initiative, Walmart’s plan to reduce emissions from its supply chain by one gigaton by 2030, the retailer’s suppliers will now be able to group together to buy renewable energy through its Gigaton PPA Program that launched in September. According to the article from CNBC, Walmart wants to transition to 100 percent solar, wind, and green technologies to power its operations, including stores and warehouses, by 2035. As of now, only 29 percent of its energy comes from renewable sources.

With smaller companies being priced out of the renewable energy market, there are only about 100 corporate companies buying renewable energy in the way that Walmart plans to do. Lending a helping hand to those suppliers that want to get on board with the retailer’s sustainability program, Walmart is providing an opportunity to increase renewable energy usage for those who do not conventionally have access to do so.

As Walmart continues to expand and run with its upcoming clean energy projects, ANUK will report on the latest.

Walmart