Auchan Retail Romania has reduced its Scope 1 greenhouse gas emissions by 88% and Scope 2 emissions by 66% against a 2019 baseline, following significant investments in refrigeration systems, heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC), and lighting, Corina Dospinoiu, Sustainability Director at Auchan Retail Romania, said at the Sustainability in Business Forum, organised by Sustainability Today and The Diplomat-Bucharest.
Auchan Retail Romania’s climate strategy combines science-based emissions reduction targets with investments in energy efficiency, while the company sees sustainability-related investments as an opportunity to strengthen competitiveness across the retail supply chain.
“We have a climate plan at Auchan with very precise objectives validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). These targets have been scientifically validated, and we have committed to reducing our Scope 3 emissions by 25% by 2030,” Dospinoiu said.
In recent years, the retailer has invested significantly in upgrading refrigeration systems, HVAC equipment and lighting, measures that have contributed to substantial reductions in its direct and energy-related emissions.
“These substantial investments at Auchan have had a very positive impact on the results of our climate plan for Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions. We have reduced Scope 1 emissions by 88% against the 2019 baseline and Scope 2 emissions by 66%, well beyond the targets we committed to under SBTi,” she explained.
The company’s investments are also reflected in its EU Taxonomy-related disclosures, linking energy efficiency improvements with sustainability reporting and the environmental performance of its operations.
Dospinoiu said the connection between the EU Taxonomy and suppliers can best be explained through the business benefits of investing in more efficient technologies.
As an example, she referred to a hypothetical investment by Coca-Cola in a new production line, arguing that the adoption of energy-efficient technology could reduce energy consumption and operating costs, particularly in a context of rising energy prices.
“If Coca-Cola invests in a new production line, I am convinced that the technology it acquires will be energy efficient. As a result, energy consumption will be lower, especially against the backdrop of continuously rising energy prices. At the end of the year, the outcome should be positive because the company will have reduced its operating costs,” she said.
According to Dospinoiu, these savings can potentially translate into more competitive prices for products on retail shelves, creating benefits throughout the supply chain.
“Ultimately, all these investments should translate into more competitive prices for products on the shelf. This means that everyone in the supply chain benefits: the supplier, the retailer, and, potentially, the final customer benefits the most,” she said.
She added that the objective is to combine affordability for consumers with a long-term perspective on environmental responsibility.
“Our objective is, first, to offer customers products at the most competitive prices possible and, second, to always keep in mind the importance of leaving things for future generations,” Dospinoiu said.
Auchan’s reported emissions reductions illustrate how investments in operational infrastructure can contribute to climate objectives while also addressing energy consumption and costs.
The company’s Scope 1 and Scope 2 results relate to emissions from its own operations and purchased energy, respectively, while its 2030 Scope 3 target covers emissions across its wider value chain.
