Target Corp. has announced environmental initiatives Tuesday that include steps within its own brands to offset the toss-away products and fast fashion that has driven its big-box retail prominence, including record earnings released just last month.
As part of a rollout it’s calling “Target Forward,” many of the initiatives are focused on climate change and build on earlier pledges.
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That means Target will continue designing to eliminate waste, using materials that are regenerative, recycled or sourced sustainably, and to create products that are more durable, easily repaired or recyclable, it says. Target has 10 billion-dollar owned brands, including kids label Cat & Jack, accessories label A New Day and home brand Opalhouse. Already, circular design principles are part of its Universal Thread and Everspring lines.
By 2040, Target commits to net zero emissions across its operations. It’s a pledge matching that of competitor Walmart Inc.
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Target’s net-zero goal includes the much more challenging assertion for any retailer or consumer company: curbing Earth-warming emissions throughout a far-flung supply chain.
Research at consultants McKinsey says that more than 80% of greenhouse-gas emissions and more than 90% of the impact on land, air, water, biodiversity and geological resources sit on the supply-chain side of any large consumer company’s operations. Fashion, in particular, will be a drag on the globe’s push to slow global warming to 1.5 degrees, without changes that promote longer-lasting construction, fewer washes and the resale of already-worn items, the researchers have said.
The Target pledge includes creating zero waste to landfills in its U.S. operations, and it is advancing a program called the Beyond the Bag initiative to address single-use plastic bags. The retailer says it has projects and partnerships in place that when complete will result in purchasing nearly 50% of its electricity from renewable sources, toward 100% by 2030.
Beyond environmental aims, Target says that by 2030, the retailer wants to build a team that equitably reflects the communities it serves, beginning with a commitment to increase Black team member representation across the company by 20% by next year.
“We know sustainability is tied to business resiliency and growth, and that our size and scale can drive change that is good for all,” Target CEO Brian Cornell said.
The sustainability goals come at a time when meeting consumer flexibility demands helped propel the retailer to strong results during the pandemic.
Target reported first-quarter adjusted earnings that reached an all-time high, easily topping Wall Street estimates on both profit and sales. Adjusted EPS at $3.69 was 525% higher than last year when COVID-19 gripped the economy. Sales totaled $23.88 billion, up from $19.37 billion last year.
Target’s stock price is up 32% in the year to date and more than 90% over the past year. The S&P 500
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The carbon footprint that can accompany convenient pickup and quick shipping, as Target looks to compete with Amazon.com
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A study published by the World Economic Forum found that the growth in last-mile deliveries over the next decade will lead to slower transit and higher emissions in major cities across the world. The report forecasts a 36% rise in the number of delivery vehicles in the world’s top 100 cities by 2030, leading to an emissions increase of over 30%.
Companies have come under greater pressure from customers and shareholders to align their business model with the shift to a lower-waste, low-carbon economy and to pursue net-zero emissions, especially in the run-up to the U.N. Climate Change conference, or COP26, in Glasgow in November. Major CEO groups, including those at the Business Roundtable, have conceded that sitting out the climate-change push would be bad for operations.
Just over 70% of U.S. consumers said sustainability is somewhat important or important when making purchase decisions, according to an EY Future Consumer survey.
Investor group Green Century Capital Management and green-investing advocate As You Sow said Tuesday they have withdrawn a shareholder proposal to Target urging for a more-aggressive stance in reducing plastic. The investor groups said the retailer’s plan to reduce its use of virgin plastic 20% by 2025 met the changes they were seeking.