Walmart says it is likely to miss 2025, 2030 climate change targets

(Reuters) - Walmart said it is likely to miss its 2025 and 2030 targets for reducing planet-warming emissions due to challenges related to energy policy, infrastructure and availability of cost-effective low-carbon technologies.

The U.S.-based retailer had pledged to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from its operations by 35% in 2025 and 65% in 2030, compared to levels in 2015.

Neither of these targets appeared to be in reach and its progress was delayed, the company said in an update published on its website on Wednesday.

Despite having a smaller carbon footprint per unit of sales compared to more polluting manufacturers and food processors, Walmart is facing some difficulties in reducing emissions due to the opening of more stores and shipment of goods.

Walmart has cited three drivers of the emissions rise in 2023: pollution from aging refrigeration equipment, fuel emissions from transportation and expansion of renewable energy slowing relative to its business growth.

(Reporting by Pooja Menon in Bengaluru; Editing by Alan Barona)