Sainsbury’s to sponsor COP26 climate summit in Glasgow

• Sainsbury’s joins SSE, Sky, Scottish Power, NatWest Group and National Grid as Principal Partners for UN climate change summit COP26 in Glasgow
• Sainsbury’s has committed £1bn over 20 years to become net zero by 2040 and recently set science-based targets to reduce emissions across their value chain by 30% by 2030.
• UK businesses continue to show commitment in pushing forward climate action

Sainsbury’s has been announced as a new sponsor for COP26, as UK businesses continue to play a vital role in tackling climate change ahead of the international climate change summit in Glasgow this November.

Sainsbury’s is the sixth Principal Partner who will support the delivery of a successful and ambitious COP26. They join SSE, Scottish Power, NatWest Group, National Grid and Sky.

Through these partnerships, the UK COP26 Presidency is showing a clear commitment to working with businesses who are taking real steps towards net zero.

Last year Sainsbury’s announced their commitment to become Net Zero across their own operations by 2040 through an investment of £1 billion over twenty years. They have recently set science-based targets including a target to reduce the retailer’s emissions across their value chain by 30% by 2030, where it will work closely with its vast global supplier base to develop and then meet their own targets. Sainsbury’s will publicly report on progress twice a year.

As part of Sainsbury’s environmental commitments the retailer has also outlined ambitious targets to reduce carbon emissions, food waste, plastic packaging, water usage and increase recycling, biodiversity and healthy and sustainable eating.

COP26 President Alok Sharma said:

Businesses have a key role to play in helping us build back greener and Sainsbury’s has shown strong leadership by making a clear commitment to combating climate change through science based measures, as well as reducing plastic packaging and empowering consumers to make more sustainable choices. I am delighted to welcome them as a Principal Partner for COP26.

Simon Roberts, CEO at Sainsbury’s, said:

We believe that everyone wants to play their part and reduce their impact on the planet – and that we can help shoppers find simple ways to make delicious, great value food healthier and more environmentally friendly, one plate at a time.

We have long recognised our responsibility to protect the environment and I’m extremely proud that we continue to lead the charge. Tackling climate change requires transformational thinking across industry and government and a willingness to collaborate globally. We are delighted to partner with COP26 and hope that it inspires our colleagues, customers and other businesses to rally together to protect and restore our planet for future generations to come.

Ends.

Notes to editors:

For press queries contact COP26media@cabinetoffice.gov.uk

• Principal Partners are the top tier of sponsorship for COP26.
• We will release information on the details of sponsorship agreements after the event.
• We are ensuring that COP26 provides value for money for the taxpayer.
• All sponsors have committed to the Science-Based Targets initiative, this requires them to set ambitious targets for emissions reductions, including having a credible action plan. All in line with what the latest climate science says is necessary to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement.

Sainsburys net zero

• For more information on Sainsbury’s Net Zero commitments, read here
• Sainsbury’s value chain or Scope 3 target includes reducing emissions from purchased goods and services sold, upstream transport and distribution and the direct use of sold products. Sainsbury’s will work closely with its vast global supplier base to develop and then meet their own targets. For more information about Sainsbury’s absolute Scope 3 target, read here