The Silent Crisis: Supermarkets and the Methane Menace
March 14, 2025, 6:11 am
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In the vast landscape of climate change, methane lurks like a silent predator. It’s a gas that packs a punch—86 times more potent than carbon dioxide over a 20-year span. Yet, the world’s largest retailers, particularly in the U.S., are turning a blind eye. A recent report reveals that none of the top 20 global supermarkets have set targets to reduce methane emissions. This oversight is alarming, especially when meat and dairy account for a third of their emissions.
Supermarkets are the gatekeepers of our food supply. They shape consumer choices and influence agricultural practices. Yet, they are failing to address the methane crisis. The Changing Markets Foundation and Mighty Earth conducted an analysis that exposes the lack of action among these retail giants. From Walmart to Kroger, the results are disheartening. Only one retailer, Tesco, scored above half on the methane impact scale. The average score? A mere 20 out of 100.
Methane emissions are a major blind spot for supermarkets. They acknowledge the problem but take minimal action. Many retailers claim to support sustainability, yet their net-zero commitments feel hollow when they ignore the methane emissions from meat and dairy. This disconnect is troubling. It’s like a ship sailing without a compass, heading straight for an iceberg.
Scope 3 emissions, which include those from the supply chain, account for 93% of retailers’ emissions. Half of that comes from meat and dairy. However, most retailers focus on Scope 1 and 2 emissions, leaving the more significant Scope 3 emissions unchecked. Only six of the top 20 retailers report on their Scope 3 impact. Ahold Delhaize stands out with a goal to cut these emissions by 37% by 2030. Yet, this is just a drop in the ocean.
The gap between European and American retailers is glaring. U.S. supermarkets consistently lag behind their European counterparts. Albertsons and Mercadona scored zero points, while Kroger’s 9.5 was the highest among U.S. retailers. This disparity highlights a broader issue: American retailers are not taking methane emissions seriously.
While some retailers recognize the need to shift towards plant-based products, they often fail to implement measurable actions. The retail sector is responsible for 12% of global food waste, and their influence on consumer behavior amplifies this issue. Efforts to reduce food waste are underway, but several retailers scored zero on their food waste reduction policies. This is a missed opportunity.
The report emphasizes the importance of shifting sales towards plant-based proteins. European retailers like Lidl and Rewe Group have set “protein split” targets to increase plant-based offerings. Lidl has made strides by expanding its private-label meat and dairy alternatives, making them price-competitive with animal proteins. This is a step in the right direction.
However, many U.S. retailers, including Costco and Kroger, acknowledge the benefits of plant-based products but lack targets for increasing their sales. This reluctance to embrace change is a recipe for disaster. The methane problem is hiding in plain sight, and retailers risk losing consumer trust by ignoring it.
The report calls for urgent action. Supermarkets must develop plans to report and reduce methane emissions from meat and dairy. They should set collective net-zero targets for 2040 or earlier and invest in alternative proteins. The goal should be to make at least 60% of their protein sales plant-based by the end of the decade. This is not just a suggestion; it’s a necessity.
Cutting methane emissions is crucial. It’s the emergency brake on runaway global heating. Yet, retailers are barely pressing it. The companies that dominate our food system must step up now. They have the power to drive down agricultural methane emissions in their supply chains. This starts with honesty about the impact of the products they sell.
The clock is ticking. Climate change is not waiting for anyone. Supermarkets must act swiftly and decisively. The future of our planet depends on it. If they continue to ignore the methane menace, they risk not only their reputation but also the health of our environment.
In conclusion, the report paints a stark picture of the retail industry’s inaction on methane emissions. The stakes are high, and the time for change is now. Supermarkets must rise to the occasion, embrace sustainability, and lead the charge against climate change. The path forward is clear, but will they take the first step? The world is watching.
Supermarkets are the gatekeepers of our food supply. They shape consumer choices and influence agricultural practices. Yet, they are failing to address the methane crisis. The Changing Markets Foundation and Mighty Earth conducted an analysis that exposes the lack of action among these retail giants. From Walmart to Kroger, the results are disheartening. Only one retailer, Tesco, scored above half on the methane impact scale. The average score? A mere 20 out of 100.
Methane emissions are a major blind spot for supermarkets. They acknowledge the problem but take minimal action. Many retailers claim to support sustainability, yet their net-zero commitments feel hollow when they ignore the methane emissions from meat and dairy. This disconnect is troubling. It’s like a ship sailing without a compass, heading straight for an iceberg.
Scope 3 emissions, which include those from the supply chain, account for 93% of retailers’ emissions. Half of that comes from meat and dairy. However, most retailers focus on Scope 1 and 2 emissions, leaving the more significant Scope 3 emissions unchecked. Only six of the top 20 retailers report on their Scope 3 impact. Ahold Delhaize stands out with a goal to cut these emissions by 37% by 2030. Yet, this is just a drop in the ocean.
The gap between European and American retailers is glaring. U.S. supermarkets consistently lag behind their European counterparts. Albertsons and Mercadona scored zero points, while Kroger’s 9.5 was the highest among U.S. retailers. This disparity highlights a broader issue: American retailers are not taking methane emissions seriously.
While some retailers recognize the need to shift towards plant-based products, they often fail to implement measurable actions. The retail sector is responsible for 12% of global food waste, and their influence on consumer behavior amplifies this issue. Efforts to reduce food waste are underway, but several retailers scored zero on their food waste reduction policies. This is a missed opportunity.
The report emphasizes the importance of shifting sales towards plant-based proteins. European retailers like Lidl and Rewe Group have set “protein split” targets to increase plant-based offerings. Lidl has made strides by expanding its private-label meat and dairy alternatives, making them price-competitive with animal proteins. This is a step in the right direction.
However, many U.S. retailers, including Costco and Kroger, acknowledge the benefits of plant-based products but lack targets for increasing their sales. This reluctance to embrace change is a recipe for disaster. The methane problem is hiding in plain sight, and retailers risk losing consumer trust by ignoring it.
The report calls for urgent action. Supermarkets must develop plans to report and reduce methane emissions from meat and dairy. They should set collective net-zero targets for 2040 or earlier and invest in alternative proteins. The goal should be to make at least 60% of their protein sales plant-based by the end of the decade. This is not just a suggestion; it’s a necessity.
Cutting methane emissions is crucial. It’s the emergency brake on runaway global heating. Yet, retailers are barely pressing it. The companies that dominate our food system must step up now. They have the power to drive down agricultural methane emissions in their supply chains. This starts with honesty about the impact of the products they sell.
The clock is ticking. Climate change is not waiting for anyone. Supermarkets must act swiftly and decisively. The future of our planet depends on it. If they continue to ignore the methane menace, they risk not only their reputation but also the health of our environment.
In conclusion, the report paints a stark picture of the retail industry’s inaction on methane emissions. The stakes are high, and the time for change is now. Supermarkets must rise to the occasion, embrace sustainability, and lead the charge against climate change. The path forward is clear, but will they take the first step? The world is watching.