Planet

Reducing our greenhouse gas emissions by 75% by 2030​

In 2025, we raised our reduction target for scope 1 and 2 emissions from 60% to 75% by 2030 compared with our 2021 baseline. This target covers emissions from our own operations, which come from energy use in our stores and distribution centres, as well as from transporting products between the two. Scope 1 and 2 emissions are an important part of Action’s energy and emission reduction strategy. ​This strategy has helped bring down emissions from our own operations by more than 50% since 2021 despite continued growth in our network of stores and distribution centres, putting us on course to meet our 2030 target.​

Our stores

  • All Action stores are now gas-free and use renewable electricity instead.*
  • We have increased energy efficiency by installing smart meters and LED lighting at our stores. We have also set up more solar panels with smart meters, which allow us to keep a close track of energy consumption.​
    *With the exception of 67 stores using external sources of heating (e.g., district heating).

Our transportation

  • Our innovative double-decker trucks can carry 60% more freight than conventional trucks.​
  • Action’s own trucks in the Netherlands now use hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO 100) – a renewable diesel that reduces emissions by up to 90% compared with conventional diesel. Switching to these trucks reduces emissions from transport between our distribution centres and stores. ​
  • We’re currently piloting the use of fully electric trucks in the Netherlands and Germany.

Our distribution centres

  • We have solar panels at 7 Action distribution centres across Europe, increasing our access to cleaner, renewable energy and reducing our reliance on often congested electricity grids.​
  • Our distribution centres are built according to the latest BREEAM environmental standards. Under BREEAM, Action’s new centre at Illescas in Spain has been certified Outstanding – Illescas will become a blueprint for all future Action distribution centres.​
  • We run our distribution centres in an energy efficient manner. In and around the centres, we use electric vehicles and equipment to limit greenhouse gas emissions and reduce noise and exhaust levels. Our distribution centres are fitted with LED lights and light sensors, reducing energy consumption. We conduct regular audits to identify further energy savings.
  • Where we rent distribution centres, we engage with landlords to increase renewable energy use, if possible. Around 90% of our electricity consumption now comes from clean, renewable sources. ​

Managing our waste streams

Recycling

Where permitted, we recycle cardboard and plastic collected at our stores and distribution centres. At our distribution centres, we make sure cardboard and plastic is compressed before recycling, making it easier to transport and helping minimise CO2 emissions. These compressed bales comply with the recycling facilities’ standard way of working, so no extra handling is required.

We also process damaged and returned products, primarily to avoid these products becoming waste. Other waste streams are sorted so they can be recycled or processed separately. In addition, we reuse and recycle store materials, and provide customers with facilities to dispose of used batteries, light bulbs and small electrical appliances. Throughout the year, when stores are refurbished, enlarged or relocated, we also dismantle, collect, sort and store racking for reuse or recycling. Store checkouts, meanwhile, are refitted and updated to comply with current format standards.

Prevent plastic use

We save an estimated 30% of plastic by stretch-wrapping only the upper part of our roll containers.
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Partners

We engage directly with our suppliers to step up our recycling efforts and initiatives to reduce product and packaging waste. By 2029, we want 80% of our suppliers by greenhouse gas emissions to have adopted science-based targets. We also have agreements in place with sea freight carriers to use eco-fuels when shipping products from Asia. In 2024, these eco-fuels reduced emissions by more than 42,000 tonnes of CO2 equivalent. Overall, we’ve committed to reducing scope 3 greenhouse emissions from the use of our products by 59% by 2034, compared with our 2021 baseline.