Dutch supermarket chain Albert Heijn has taken an unprecedented step in retail sustainability reporting by becoming the first major global supermarket to publicly disclose its methane emissions. The disclosure, featured in the company’s latest sustainability report, shows that methane emissions represented approximately 14% of Albert Heijn’s total greenhouse gas footprint in 2024.
The move has been recognized as groundbreaking by environmental organization Mighty Earth, which described it as a “world first” for the supermarket sector. Albert Heijn, which operates as part of multinational retailer Ahold Delhaize, stated that including methane in CO2 disclosures means “you get a much more complete picture of the impact on the environment.”
Industry pressure for transparency increases
The disclosure comes following sustained pressure from environmental groups for greater transparency in retail methane reporting. Earlier this year, Mighty Earth published research titled “Taking the Bull by the Horns,” which estimated that Ahold Delhaize’s total methane emissions footprint rivals that of entire countries such as Sweden or Denmark.
According to the environmental organization’s analysis, Ahold Delhaize’s US subsidiaries emit approximately 45% of the global group’s methane emissions from meat and dairy products, while Dutch operations account for around 24% of the company’s meat and dairy methane emissions.
Jurjen de Waal, Netherlands director of Mighty Earth, praised the disclosure while calling for broader industry adoption. “For too long, retailers have been telling us that it’s too difficult to disclose methane emissions and yet this move by Albert Heijn shows that it’s clearly not that hard and it can be done,” he stated.
De Waal emphasized the climate significance of methane reduction, noting that cutting methane emissions is “one of the fastest and most cost-effective ways of curbing global heating, and transparent methane reporting is the first step towards tackling the issue head-on.”
Call for industry-wide adoption
Following Albert Heijn’s disclosure, Mighty Earth is now urging other major European supermarkets to follow suit. The organization specifically called on retailers including Tesco, Carrefour and Lidl to implement similar methane reporting practices.
The environmental group also pressed for Ahold Delhaize’s other brands, particularly its U.S. operations such as Stop & Shop, to adopt comparable transparency measures. De Waal warned that “without urgent action from its US brands, Ahold Delhaize is risking its climate goals.”
Beyond transparency, Mighty Earth advocates for operational changes to reduce methane emissions. De Waal suggested that “shifting towards plant-based diets is one of the most effective measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, especially agricultural methane, to protect climate and nature.” The organization recommends that retailers establish “a 60:40 split in favour of plant-based foods by 2030.”
Albert Heijn commits to emission reduction targets
Albert Heijn responded by outlining its broader sustainability strategy, which positions methane reduction as integral to its Scope 3 emissions approach. The company explained: “Reducing methane emissions is an integral part of our broader scope 3 strategy. Given methane’s high global warming potential, we prioritize efforts to lower emissions in methane-intensive supply chains, particularly those linked to animal-based products.”
The company has established specific reduction targets, including “45% reduction by 2030 – compared to 2018 – and net-zero in 2050.” To achieve these goals, Albert Heijn works with suppliers to implement sustainable farming practices, improve feed efficiency, and explore innovations in manure management.
The company emphasized collaboration as essential to progress, stating: “By working together, we can accelerate progress and drive methane reductions.”
