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Planet

Climate action

Our vision

Aware of the diverse and complex challenges posed by the climate crisis, we have pledged to decarbonise our operations by 2040. To this end, we developed a roadmap to guide our future efforts and investments, based on 4 key areas:


  • the implementation of eco-efficiency measures to reduce our energy consumption;
  • the electrification of consumption;
  • a programme to change our refrigeration plants;
  • investment in the production and acquisition of energy produced from renewable sources.

We revisit our roadmap yearly to accelerate our actions and integrate the latest practices and technological development.

Our performance

In 2022, MC's total energy consumption totalled 2,247,690 GJ, which accounts for an increase of 6.1% compared to 2021, justified by the Company's organic growth, by the fact that the business returned to normal without the restrictions imposed by the pandemic and by the expansion of solutions such as the "Plug & Charge" network. Electricity accounts for 73% of this consumption and the remaining 27% is associated with fuel consumption and thermal energy. Our electricity production from renewable sources (photovoltaic power plants) increased by 14% in the last year.

Regarding the sources of our Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions, 60% comes from electricity consumption and thermal energy, and the remaining amount (40%) comes from fuel consumption and leakage of fluorinated gases. Nonetheless, when we compare our emission figures with those recorded in 2021, we note a 5% reduction in emissions. Considering the reduction target set for 2030 - reducing our GHG emissions by 55% -, we recorded a decrease of 30.3% compared to 2018.

In 2022, we completed mapping MC's Carbon Footprint, extending it to all applicable categories under scope 3 per the GHG Protocol. This was the first step towards establishing a science-based reduction target (Science Based Targets Initiative - SBTi), and, consequently, the definition of an action plan for a more structured and robust reduction of emissions.

Notwithstanding, MC has been working to reduce the scope 3 carbon footprint, by implementing a set of initiatives, the development of plant-based alternatives to animal protein, projects included in the "Continente Producer's Club" agenda, the transformation of our own or exclusive-brand packaging, the promotion of electric mobility, the fight against food waste and the optimization of waste management, among others.

Our initiatives

"Energy Forum"Learn more
Investment in renewable energy Learn more
Energy efficiency at the renewed Maia distribution centreLearn more

"Energy Forum"

In light of the current energy crisis, we set up the "Energy Forum", aiming to accelerate an eco-efficient culture, boost energy optimisation measures, and increase our capacity to produce renewable energy.

To this end, we updated the Energy Use Handbook (EUH), with tougher guidance pertaining to main equipment (schedules and parameters) and checklists to verify the defined measures. At the same time, we also invested in training and in-store communication. The information and control systems were improved, and we now have daily and weekly reports on energy consumption.

Additional energy audits were conducted in stores with more critical consumption levels, to identify and correct inefficiencies. The preventive maintenance plans for the main equipment were reviewed to optimise procedures and reassess task frequency that impacts energy consumption.

Lastly, these actions were complemented by a series of structural measures. We accelerated the implementation of self-consumption plants, ramped up the installation of doors along the refrigerated compartments and devised additional pilot projects, which will be rolled out according to the results obtained, financial impact and implementation capacity.

Investment in renewable energy

The decarbonization of our energy matrix, namely by generating electricity from renewable sources, increased significantly in 2022. By year-end, we had 242 power plants up and running, representing an additional 28 new plants compared to 2021 and a photovoltaic power park with an installed capacity of circa 37 megawatt-peak (MWp).

In tandem, we entered into new long-term agreements (PPA offsite) to purchase circa 82 gigawatts-hour (GWh) of renewable energy from 2023 onwards, thus strengthening existing agreements.

The contracts negotiated for 2022, amounting to 108.7 GWh, and the local production of renewable energy through photovoltaic power plants meant that circa 30% of MC's electricity consumption came from renewable sources. This investment in renewable energy reduced 36,525 tonnes of CO2e, compared to the potential emission without these options.

Energy efficiency at the renewed Maia distribution centre

The expansion and renovation project at the distribution centre in Maia, completed in 2022, centred around optimising energy consumption by installing energy-efficient boosting equipment in the revamped cold storage areas. We highlight improvements made to our goods receptions systems in the chilled and frozen operations bays, helping to reduce energy losses between loading and unloading, resulting in greater cold output efficiency.

In all the areas which underwent interventions, we also ensured the use of LED lighting instead of the fluorescent lamps used in the old facilities. With the warehouse expansion, a 50% increase in energy consumption is expected; however, the measures we implemented mean the increase will be lower, circa 25%-30%.