Why is this important?
Studies show that Poles are increasingly serious about climate change and no longer perceive them as a challenge for the long term. 68% of the population is afraid that changes will have a negative impact on the future of their children, and 78% of Poles believe that the condition of the Earth requires decisive action. Consumers are increasingly indicating that such actions should be implemented not only at the level of state administration, but also with active involvement of the business sector. Combating climate change is a global challenge and, from this point of view, it is particularly important to establish effective partnerships in order to counteract this phenomenon. We are aware of the environmental challenges caused by the excessive anthropogenic emissions of greenhouse gases, as well as of the social concerns that accompany them. Therefore, while implementing our Responsibility Strategy, we are undertaking a number of actions allowing us to reduce our carbon footprint and achieve climate neutrality in own operations.
Our contribution
Solutions offered in the convenience ecosystem are used by nearly three million customers per day, and over seven thousand franchisees and several hundred business partners support us in achieving our business goals. The scale of our operations means that we have an impact on the environment, but also offers the opportunity to work together to combat climate change. We want to make it easier for customers to make sustainable choices, and we suggest our franchisees and business partners to conduct their business activity in a responsible manner and to join forces in minimising our environmental footprint. In the Żabka Group, we approach the issue of reducing CO2 emissions in a comprehensive manner. Our decarbonisation plan supports stopping the increase in global temperatures at 1.5°C, as confirmed by the Science Based Target Initiative (SBTi). The plan’s objectives cover both our own operations and the entire value chain. We work together with our employees to achieve climate neutrality in own operations by 2025, and partner with franchisees to reduce the intensity of scope 3 in-store emissions by 70% by 2026. We also encourage business partners responsible for 75% of our procurement expenditure in setting reduction targets, sharing knowledge and inspiring to change.
What have we done so far?
We are the first retail chain in Central and Eastern Europe whose decarbonisation targets have been verified and validated by SBTi – an initiative that defines, promotes and validates methods for determining greenhouse gas emission reductions based on the most recent scientific knowledge. In 2021, we launched a number of initiatives aimed at reducing the carbon footprint in our own operations, in accordance with the decarbonisation plan we had adopted. Thanks to our actions, we have reduced the carbon footprint in own operations by 29%, while maintaining the overall business growth rate. We also achieved the target related to supplying our operations with electricity generated, in 100%, with the use of renewable energy sources. In 2021, we announced our commitments and invited business partners to join in. We started conversations in which, together with our key business partners, we are committing to taking coordinated action to reduce emissions. We held twenty-two deep-dive meetings with key partners. One of those meetings was climate-neutral, as we purchased an offset package compensating for its carbon footprint.
Selected activities
Building
a low-emissions
and distribution centre
Building a low-emissions distribution centre
The construction of a state-of-the-art distribution centre (DC) located in the vicinity of the town of Radzymin (close to Warsaw) began in mid-January 2021. The DC will be equipped with innovative automated solutions which will not only accelerate the pace at which our stores are served, but will also improve the quality of service for franchisees and minimise environmental impact. Implementation of the tri-generation system will significantly increase the process efficiency of generating energy needed to power, heat, cool and ventilate the building. Low CO2e emissions will be also guaranteed by photovoltaic panels installed on the roof of the building. These solutions guarantee that our operational efficiency will improve several times, thus reducing energy consumption. The DC will be 100% powered by electricity from renewable sources, and will be commissioned in the second half of 2022. In the future, renovation of some of the remaining distribution centres is planned in order to implement the individual solutions developed during the construction phase.
Electric vehicle
fleet in the
pilot phase
Electric vehicle fleet in the pilot phase
We are implementing a pilot phase of the programme under which heavy goods vehicles will be procured in partnership with two entities. Since 2019, we have been testing zero-emission commercial vehicles in cooperation with the Volkswagen Group. We use four electric ABT transporters and two e-Crafter vans. We have also invested in our own electric car charging stations at the distribution centres in Nadarzyn and Plewiska, and in our headquarters. In 2021, we started cooperation with Volvo Polska, testing a zero-emission refrigerated Volvo FL Electric truck. It is used for delivering goods to stores in the Silesia region. It is the first fully electric distribution truck in Poland that was for working in the city. We are also gradually modernising our fleet of passenger cars and are conducting tests aimed at replacing combustion engine vehicles with their electric and hybrid counterparts. New electric and hybrid cars reduce greenhouse gas emissions and noise levels, so that they can be successfully used in clean transport zones.
Testing
green solutions
in our stores
Testing green solutions in our stores
Our store in the Warsaw’s Białołęka district serves as proving grounds for solutions aimed at reducing our environmental impact. We are testing solutions in the areas of green energy, transport, clean air and circular economy. The store uses photovoltaic panels, the quantum dots technology, a kinetic floor that transforms steps into energy and anti-smog paving bricks supplemented by a green wall absorbing dust and smog. Innovative cooling equipment and refrigerants with low greenhouse effect potential are used in the store. An EKOmat machine and an electric car charging station are located in front of the store as well. The store is 100% powered by renewable energy. Based on experience from pilot programmes conducted at the Warsaw store, we have introduced new solutions to our chains, including freezer cabinets with the zero-heating doors technology, adaptive lighting, as well as new refrigerators with lower global warming poten- By encouraging conscious food choices, we are also expanding the range of plantbased products as an excellent alternative to animal products. We have introduced products of such brands as Garden Gourmet, Dobra Kaloria or Alpro. In 2021, we also created our own 100% plant-based brand, Plant Hunter. tial. Thanks to the initiatives introduced, we have reduced greenhouse gas emissions by more than 1,300 tCO2e, and we have also reduced electricity consumption by almost 261 MWh.
Lowering
emissions
in the supply chain
Lowering emissions in the supply chain
Our suppliers of goods and services are responsible for 68% of scope 3 carbon footprint emissions, which is why we involve partners from various industries in search of innovative solutions to reduce emissions in the value chain. An example is cooperation with the carbon neutral brand Goodvalley, whose products have a zero carbon footprint, and Grupa Żywiec, which uses only electricity from renewable sources in its production process. We also look for emission reduction opportunities through convenienct services, as we reduce emissions through delivery to pickup points in cooperation with InPost and other logistics operators in Poland. Delivering a parcel to Żabka generates a lower carbon footprint than direct delivery to the customer personal address. By encouraging conscious food choices, we are also expanding the range of plantbased products as an excellent alternative to animal products. We have introduced products of such brands as Garden Gourmet, Dobra Kaloria or Alpro. In 2021, we also created our own 100% plant-based brand, Plant Hunter.
Our Policies in this area
Energy Policy
Responsibility Report 2021
