McDonald's to promote renewables in efforts to cut CO2 emissions

US fast-food chain McDonald's Corporation (NYSE:MCD) will be looking to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions related to its restaurants and offices by 36% by 2030 from a 2015 base year, it announced on Tuesday.

This newly-set target is part of the company’s strategy to address global climate change and it envisages promoting renewable energy. McDonald’s has also committed to a 31% reduction in emissions intensity across its supply chain by that same year from 2015 levels.

“To meet this goal, we will source our food responsibly, promote renewable energy and use it efficiently, and reduce waste and increase recycling,” said Steve Easterbrook, McDonald’s president and CEO.

The combined target has been approved by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), which makes McDonald’s the first restaurant company to establish a science-based greenhouse gas emissions goal, it noted. McDonald’s will work with franchisees and suppliers to achieve the target.

The company explained that its plans relate to LED lighting, energy efficient kitchen equipment, sustainable packaging and restaurant recycling. The company further said that it will pay more attention to beef production, restaurant energy usage and sourcing, as well as packaging and waste, as these segments combined, account for some 64% of its global emissions.

The actions planned by the company would eliminate about 150 million metric tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, it added.

Choose your newsletter by Renewables Now. Join for free!