Albert Heijn has disclosed its methane emissions, a move described by NGO Mighty Earth as the first by a “global supermarket”.
In the Dutch retailer’s latest sustainability report, the grocery chain revealed its methane emissions accounted for approximately 14% of its total greenhouse-gas footprint in 2024.
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Albert Heijn, part of the multinational retailer Ahold Delhaize, said that “you get a much more complete picture of the impact on the environment” with its CO2 disclosures including methane.
In April, a report from Mighty’s Earth titled “Taking the Bull by the Horns” estimated that Ahold Delhaize’s total methane emissions footprint rivals that of an entire country, such as Sweden or Denmark.
The analysis estimated Ahold Delhaize’s US subsidiaries emit approximately 45% of the global group’s methane emissions from meat and dairy products. Meanwhile, the estimate for the company’s Dutch operations was around 24% of its meat and dairy methane emissions.
Mighty Earth is now calling on other major European supermarkets – such as Tesco, Carrefour and Lidl – as well as Ahold Delhaize’s other brands in the US, such as Stop & Shop, to follow Albert Heijn’s lead in publicly disclosing methane emissions.
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By GlobalDataJurjen de Waal, Netherlands director of Mighty Earth, said: “For too long, retailers have been telling us that it’s too difficult to disclose methane emissions and yet this move by Albert Heijn shows that it’s clearly not that hard and it can be done.”
He added cutting methane emissions is “one of the fastest and most cost-effective ways of curbing global heating, and transparent methane reporting is the first step towards tackling the issue head-on.”
“Although a breakthrough, the same level of commitment needs to carry across the pond to Alhold Delaize’s US operations, which our analysis found account for almost half of the group’s total global emissions.
“Without urgent action from its US brands, Ahold Delhaize is risking its climate goals.”
De Waal added: “While not the only solution, shifting towards plant-based diets is one of the most effective measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, especially agricultural methane, to protect climate and nature.
“Retailers can follow Albert Heijn’s lead in this regard too, by setting a 60:40 split in favour of plant-based foods by 2030.”
A spokesperson for Albert Heijn said in a statement: “Reducing methane emissions is an integral part of our broader scope 3 strategy.
“Given methane’s high global warming potential, we prioritize efforts to lower emissions in methane-intensive supply chains, particularly those linked to animal-based products.
“We have formulated a reduction target on our scope 3 emissions (45% reduction by 2030 – compared to 2018 – and net-zero in 2050). We work closely with our suppliers to implement more sustainable farming practices, improve feed efficiency, and explore innovations in manure management.”
The spokesperson added: “By working together, we can accelerate progress and drive methane reductions. Our Sustainability Report gives a good overview of our efforts regarding scope 3 and the areas in which we focus our work.”
