Get to know the scopes
are indirect GHG emissions
associated with the purchase
of electricity and heat, and result
from the organisation’s energy use.
Scope 1
On the road to a sustainable future
Our Scope 1 emissions chiefly arise from burning fuels in our installations, or in processes like using refrigerants and operating our fleet. Our focus on hybrid cars is a key element of our fleet decarbonisation effort, and we are currently testing 100% electric vehicles. We aim to reduce fleet emissions by ~0.6 thousand tCO2 in 2026 from current forecasts, replacing 203 vehicles between 2024 and 2026. By using a fleet of refrigerated vehicles, we are also reducing the use of dry ice in transport.
Scope 2
Powered by green energy
Our Scope 2 emissions come from the energy we buy from suppliers, including the electricity consumed at our HQ and distribution centres, as well as the district heating used at HQ. Under a 15-year corporate Power Purchase Agreement (cPPA) with Qair, we are committed between 2023 and 2038 to buying electricity and guarantees of origin from their wind farm and large-scale solar-power plant. This represents nearly 1.7 TWh of renewable energy. We have a similar 10-year contract with Modus for the annnual supply of close to 50 GWh of green electricity.
Scope 3 (downstream)
Upgrading franchise stores
We work to reduce franchisee emissions, and are committed to researching and implementing effective new solutions. This includes our work at the Żabka Eko Smart laboratory, where we study the latest innovations from across the world. During 2023, we successively optimisedour delivery routes to reduced GHG emissions. We are implementing closed-air refrigeration systems and zero-heating doors instore, and install photovoltaic panels wherever possible. We are also replacing refrigerants in cooling installations with alternatives offering lower global warming potential (GWP).
Scope 3 (upstream)
Digitalising our value chain
We work closely with our upstream business partners to analyse the carbon footprint of our supply chain under different categories and are continuously reviewing a database to calculate their levels of engagement with decarbonisation. We constantly develop analytics for our purchased goods and services, and two years ago created a new product card for manufacturers that includes a section on carbon footprint. We enriched our database of Category 1: Purchased good and services in line of requirements of GHG Land Sector and Removals Guidance. We are refining our analysis to meet the higher standards required by stakeholders and future regulatory changes. We are also continually studying the impact of our Scope 3 on biodiversity and are aware of the mutual impact of these two areas.
Decarbonisation topics to read
Learn more about SBTi
Żabka Polska is the first company in Poland whose goals for reducing greenhouse gases have been validated by the Science Based Targets initiative. SBTi is a joint, international initiative of CDP (formerly Carbon Disclosure Project), UNGC (United Nations Global Compact), WRI (World Resources Institute) and WWF (World Wildlife Fund).
What is the role of SBTi?
SBTi helps companies determine how much and how quickly they need to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions to be in line with the requirements of the latest climate research. The organization’s primary goal is to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, in accordance with the Paris Agreement of 2015.
Why join SBTi?
Approval of a decarbonization strategy by SBTi is a highly respected commitment in business and is sought by all companies wanting to be a leader in sustainable development in their industry. As a company that wants to minimise its negative impact on the environment, we are constantly looking for solutions to help us do this while also tackling climate change – we are working on reducing energy consumption, looking for low- and zero-emission energy sources, testing innovative green technologies and encouraging our consumers to make planet-friendly choices.
What does the SBTi application process look like?
- Commitment – submission of a letter declaring the intention to set a science-based goal within 2 years of sending the commitment;
- Creation of a decarbonization strategy – in accordance with SBTi criteria;
- Verification – submission of an application and validation of the goal by SBTi;
- Communication – public announcement of goals and informing stakeholders;
- Disclosure – annual publication of the organization’s emissions and progress towards achieving goals.
What are the next steps after validating the goals?
In addition to working on the implementation of the strategy and achieving the goals, it is necessary to monitor the requirements of SBTi, as they are regularly updated and expanded. Examples of significant changes in criteria:
- Change of minimum ambition of goals from ‘well below 2°C’ to 1.5°C which results in, among other things, an increase in the minimum annual emission reduction from scope 1 and 2 to 4.2% per year;
- Inclusion of FLAG (Forest, Land and Agriculture) group emissions in the reporting scope
Significant changes in the way the organization’s emissions are reported should also be confronted with SBTi guidelines, as they may affect the status of goal acceptance:
- Change of allocation of the emission group to another scope;
- Changes in operational control within the organization.
Decarbonisation results against 2023 targets
The Responsibility Strategy of the Żabka Group outlines our aspirations and growth pathways in the ESG sector. Fulfilling the commitments we have adopted necessitates the support of all our employees and partners. Collective dedication has enabled us to effectively tackle the challenges of the past year, as well as seize numerous opportunities. With our daily efforts, we are inching closer to realising the ambitions contained in the Żabka Group’s Responsibility Strategy. The results against 2023 targets are as follows:
Scope 1&2 Target
The total Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions summed up to 17 282 tonnes of CO2, which is the highest available KPI score. Thanks to further investment in our vehicle fleet, including replacement vehicles and the implementation of a driver incentive program, we kept our emissions in this area at the same level as last year. This was despite an increase in the number of cars. Our efforts over the past two years to minimize leakage in the refrigeration systems in our distribution centers, and to replace refrigerants with high global warming potential (GWP) value with those of lower GWP, have also reduced our emissions in this area. We have additionally continued our approach of providing 100% renewable electricity in our own operations, using Renewable Energy Guarantees of Origin (REGOs) to demonstrate that it has been generated from renewable sources. By using a fleet of refrigerated vehicles, we have also reduced the use of dry ice in transport. Consequently, our Scope 1 and 2 emissions have decreased by 28.8% compared to the 2020 baseline.
Scope 3 Target (downstream)
Our Scope 3 focus remained on energy-efficiency initiatives. We used closed-air refrigeration systems for beverages in almost 1,200 new stores and zero heating doors in close to 2,000 stores. Both solutions are standard in newly opened stores. In addition, we ensured that 46% of the electricity used in the stores came from renewable sources, not only by purchasing guarantees of origin but also by installing a further 100 PV installations on the roofs of our stores. As a result, the intensity of the Scope 3 emissions from our franchisee’s stores fell by 60% from the 2020 base year.
Scope 3 Target (upstream)
As for Scope 3 upstream emissions, the company works closely with its business partners to analyse the carbon footprint of its supply chain under different categories and is continuously reviewing a database to calculate their levels of engagement with decarbonisation. The company’s strategy aims for 75% of its suppliers by expenditure, covering purchased goods and services, to have science-based targets by 2026.
What else can we improve together
Responsibility Report 2023
Żabka Group ranked #2 in Top 100
Global Most Loved Workplaces ranking.