Metro AG: Climate Efforts Lag Far Behind European Retail Giants
Düsseldorf, vrijdag, 27 juni 2025.
A recent environmental study reveals that Metro AG is significantly falling behind in its climate transition. The international environmental organisation has critically examined the supermarket chain’s climate strategy and finds that Metro AG is making far less progress in greenhouse gas reduction compared to competitors like Carrefour and Tesco. This shortfall is particularly evident in the sustainability of business processes, which could potentially have major consequences for both the company’s environmental impact and future operational costs. The findings underscore the urgency for Metro AG to undertake more substantial steps in its sustainability strategy.
Climate Challenges for Metro AG
In-depth research by the Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) shows that Metro AG is significantly lagging in its climate transition, especially regarding the sustainability of cooling processes. The study reveals that up to 70 percent of non-supply chain emissions come from cooling, primarily due to energy consumption and the use of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), powerful greenhouse gases [1].
Technological Backwardness
Metro AG scores below the average of other European retail companies when it comes to transitioning to sustainable cooling systems. The EIA report ‘Cooling the Climate Crisis’ demonstrates that natural refrigerants offer cost-effective alternatives with payback periods between 4 and 10 years [1].
Financial Implications
The delay in sustainability could prove costly for Metro AG. HFC refrigerants have become up to 800 percent more expensive in Europe over the past four years, while companies that do not switch in time are likely to face regulatory fines [1].