ALDI sets a new standard as the first Australian grocery retailer to go 100% renewable
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When it comes to renewable energy, some of us may still have reservations about its reliability and cost-effectiveness. However, numerous businesses are now claiming that it is one of the most advantageous investments we can make for a cleaner and more affordable future.
Practical applications of renewable energy are also steadily emerging, enabling us to enjoy its myriad benefits in more diverse ways than ever before.
Just three years ago, ALDI made a pledge to its customers that grabbed headlines—a promise to go fully renewable. And fast-forward to the present day, and they have not just delivered on that pledge but managed to do so ahead of the competition.
ALDI is now officially the first grocery retailer in Australia to run on 100% renewable energy, earning praise and approval from the Federal Government's Clean Energy Regulator.
In 2020, ALDI shook the retail scene with an ambitious announcement: they would transition their stores, distribution centres, and offices to operate entirely on clean energy.
The source of this energy? Offsite wind farms and onsite solar panels. Their goal that year was to install a whopping 102,000 solar panels across their 250 Australian stores, an effort to balance their carbon footprint after successfully slashing their overall operational emissions by 40% since 2012.
Three years later, ALDI is thrilled to announce that the company's monumental progress has been recognised and verified independently by the Clean Energy Regulator's 2023 Corporate Emissions Reduction Transparency (CERT) Report.
Daniel Baker, Sustainability Director at ALDI Australia, addressed the supermarket's ethos on sustainability, stating, 'Sustainability is placed firmly at the core of ALDI's values and operations. That's why we have an ongoing commitment to making a good difference for our planet.'
ALDI isn't just a step ahead of its rivals in this endeavour–the brand is running a marathon ahead with this achievement. Their nearest competitors, Woolworths and Coles, still have their eyes set on similar milestones, but not until 2025, making ALDI a commendable trailblazer in the supermarket sector.
While earning the fully renewable title is indeed a proud moment for ALDI, the supermarket chain hasn't stopped there.
ALDI South Group, of which ALDI Australia is a part, is nose to the wind and hard at work combating global emissions after trimming their overall emissions by 56% since 2016.
They're also launching efforts at home to squeeze their energy consumption further. ALDI has started installing wall chillers that house fridge doors for efficient chilling.
Having trialled these fridges in five NSW stores, they are now set to roll these out in 15 more stores across Victoria, Queensland, and Western Australia. This move aims to cut energy use by a third, considering that refrigerators chug down a sizeable 20% of their total electricity usage.
To add to its 105,000 panels installed in 270 stores and six distribution centres, ALDI is planning another installation of solar panels across 25 standalone stores within the next eighteen months.
Mr Baker, talking about their ongoing renewables commitment, said, 'The steps we're taking in utilising renewable electricity epitomise ALDI's ongoing commitment to Making a Good Difference.'
It's heartening to see corporations stepping up to tackle climatic challenges in their operations. It's not just a win for the environment—with reduced operational costs, let's hope they continue to pass savings to us, the customers. Here's to responsible shopping and committed corporations steering change for the better!
What are your thoughts on this, members? Let us know in the comments below!
Practical applications of renewable energy are also steadily emerging, enabling us to enjoy its myriad benefits in more diverse ways than ever before.
Just three years ago, ALDI made a pledge to its customers that grabbed headlines—a promise to go fully renewable. And fast-forward to the present day, and they have not just delivered on that pledge but managed to do so ahead of the competition.
ALDI is now officially the first grocery retailer in Australia to run on 100% renewable energy, earning praise and approval from the Federal Government's Clean Energy Regulator.
ALDI is getting recognised for its achievements. Credit: Shutterstock.
In 2020, ALDI shook the retail scene with an ambitious announcement: they would transition their stores, distribution centres, and offices to operate entirely on clean energy.
The source of this energy? Offsite wind farms and onsite solar panels. Their goal that year was to install a whopping 102,000 solar panels across their 250 Australian stores, an effort to balance their carbon footprint after successfully slashing their overall operational emissions by 40% since 2012.
Three years later, ALDI is thrilled to announce that the company's monumental progress has been recognised and verified independently by the Clean Energy Regulator's 2023 Corporate Emissions Reduction Transparency (CERT) Report.
Daniel Baker, Sustainability Director at ALDI Australia, addressed the supermarket's ethos on sustainability, stating, 'Sustainability is placed firmly at the core of ALDI's values and operations. That's why we have an ongoing commitment to making a good difference for our planet.'
ALDI isn't just a step ahead of its rivals in this endeavour–the brand is running a marathon ahead with this achievement. Their nearest competitors, Woolworths and Coles, still have their eyes set on similar milestones, but not until 2025, making ALDI a commendable trailblazer in the supermarket sector.
While earning the fully renewable title is indeed a proud moment for ALDI, the supermarket chain hasn't stopped there.
ALDI South Group, of which ALDI Australia is a part, is nose to the wind and hard at work combating global emissions after trimming their overall emissions by 56% since 2016.
They're also launching efforts at home to squeeze their energy consumption further. ALDI has started installing wall chillers that house fridge doors for efficient chilling.
Having trialled these fridges in five NSW stores, they are now set to roll these out in 15 more stores across Victoria, Queensland, and Western Australia. This move aims to cut energy use by a third, considering that refrigerators chug down a sizeable 20% of their total electricity usage.
To add to its 105,000 panels installed in 270 stores and six distribution centres, ALDI is planning another installation of solar panels across 25 standalone stores within the next eighteen months.
Mr Baker, talking about their ongoing renewables commitment, said, 'The steps we're taking in utilising renewable electricity epitomise ALDI's ongoing commitment to Making a Good Difference.'
It's heartening to see corporations stepping up to tackle climatic challenges in their operations. It's not just a win for the environment—with reduced operational costs, let's hope they continue to pass savings to us, the customers. Here's to responsible shopping and committed corporations steering change for the better!
What are your thoughts on this, members? Let us know in the comments below!
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