Could you imagine a supermarket operating without refrigerators or freezers? Or a distribution centre without any refrigeration systems? A business like ours, which requires significant energy consumption, has a responsibility to seek the cleanest energy sources whenever possible. Investing in solar panels is an excellent way to reduce emissions, as the heat generated by the sun is a clean and renewable energy source that decreases dependence on fossil fuels.
53.5%
Renewable energy
in our total consumption in 2024
-15.8%
Carbon footprint reduction
(scopes 1 and 2, vs 2023)
-9.3%
Energy consumption
(per million euros in sales, vs 2023)
In 2024, we expanded the installation of photo-voltaic panels in our stores and distribution centres. About one-third of our network of stores and distribution centres is already using this technology, with notable progress in Biedronka and Ara. The energy produced by these panels is for self-consumption, reducing the emissions associated with purchasing electricity from the grid.
The purchase of electricity from renewable sources (e.g., power purchase agreements) and the modernisation of equipment that uses natural and other low global warming potential refrigerant gases are other measures we continued to implement in 2024, a year in which more than half of our total energy consumption came from renewable sources. Thanks to these efforts, we were able to reduce our scopes 1 and 2 emissions by 15.8%, compared to 2023.
Explore at our Annual Report website a comprehensive breakdown of our sustainability performance, insights, and forward-looking strategy, in line with the ESRS framework.
Energy consumption management
Our actions to reduce carbon emissions
Carbon pricing
ONE TRUCK, TWO TASKS
Backhauling allows trucks to collect goods from suppliers on their return journey to distribution centres, after delivering to stores, which reduces unnecessary trips. In 2024, it saved 45.8 million kilometres and avoided 35,800 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions – equivalent to the impact of installing solar panels in over 2,000 of our sites.
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DECARBONISING LOGISTICS
Our plan to cut carbon emissions includes using more electric or plug-in hybrid vehicles, biofuels and hydrogen, electrifying equipment, and improving logistics efficiency. In 2024, Pingo Doce obtained four Lean & Green stars, having reduced emissions by 55% since 2018. Biedronka got its second star, with a 12% reduction between 2021 and 2023, and Terra Alegre obtained its first star, with a 23.4% reduction between 2022 and 2023.
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