Wal-Mart announced yesterday their goal to eliminate 20 million metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions from its global supply chain. According to the mega-retailer, these changes will be equivalent to removing 3.8 million cars off the road for one year. Considering how immense the environmental impact Walmart’s global supply chain has, this news represents a serious commitment on their part to reduce emissions.

In order to achieve its goal, Wall-Mart will be partnering with the Environmental Defense Fund and other environmental experts to measure the results of their efforts. They also plan to focus on product categories with the highest carbon footprint. Wal-Mart does not want to force companies it works with to make changes, but would prefer to instead work with them to find solutions that will reduce emissions and costs.

Fred Krupp, president of the Envrionmental Defense Fund stated “Today the world’s largest company begins a global race for carbon pollution cuts. Walmart’s bold move will help companies identify steps to slash pollution and costs. As this story unfolds, it will transform a vast supply chain here at home, and around the world.”

Source: Treehugger