J Sainsbury plc, commonly known as Sainsbury's, is a leading British supermarket chain headquartered in London, GB. Founded in 1869, Sainsbury's has grown to become one of the largest retailers in the UK, with a strong presence in grocery, clothing, and home goods. The company operates over 1,400 stores across the country, including supermarkets and convenience shops, catering to a diverse customer base. Sainsbury's is renowned for its commitment to quality, offering a wide range of products from fresh produce to premium own-brand items. The retailer has achieved significant milestones, including the introduction of online shopping and a focus on sustainability initiatives. With a strong market position, Sainsbury's continues to innovate, making it a trusted choice for consumers seeking value and quality in their shopping experience.
How does J Sainsbury's carbon action stack up? DitchCarbon scores companies based on their carbon action and commitment to reducing emissions. Read about our methodology to learn more.
Mean score of companies in the Retail Trade Services industry. Comparing a company's score to the industry average can give you a sense of how well the company is doing compared to its peers.
J Sainsbury's score of 69 is higher than 82% of the industry. This can give you a sense of how well the company is doing compared to its peers.
In 2025, J Sainsbury plc reported total carbon emissions of approximately 480,000 kg CO2e in Great Britain, with Scope 1 emissions at about 221,000 kg CO2e and Scope 2 emissions at approximately 259,000 kg CO2e (location-based). This represents a significant reduction from 2024, where total emissions were about 670,850 kg CO2e, with Scope 1 at approximately 328,240 kg CO2e and Scope 2 at around 342,610 kg CO2e. Sainsbury's has set ambitious climate commitments, aiming to reduce its absolute Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 68% by 2030, and Scope 3 emissions associated with energy, industry, and transport by 50.4% within the same timeframe. The company is working towards achieving net-zero emissions in its own operations by 2035 and across its entire value chain by 2050. These targets are aligned with the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) and reflect a commitment to sustainable practices. The retailer's long-term goals include a 100% reduction in absolute Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2035 and a 90% reduction in Scope 3 emissions by 2050, both from a 2018 base year. Sainsbury's is also committed to no deforestation across its primary deforestation-linked commodities by 2025. Overall, J Sainsbury plc's proactive approach to reducing carbon emissions demonstrates its commitment to environmental sustainability and aligns with global climate action efforts.
Access structured emissions data, company-specific emission factors, and source documents
| 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scope 1 | 564,193,000 | 000,000,000 | 000,000,000 | - | - | - | 000,000,000 | 000,000,000 |
| Scope 2 | 534,898,000 | 000,000,000 | - | - | - | - | 000,000,000 | 000,000,000 |
| Scope 3 | - | - | 00,000,000,000 | - | - | - | - | - |
Their carbon footprint includes supplier sustainability and value chain emissions data across Scope 3 categories, with "Purchased Goods and Services" being the largest emissions source at 49% of Scope 3 emissions.
Climate goals typically focus on 2030 interim targets and 2050 net-zero commitments, aligned with global frameworks like the Paris Agreement and Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) to ensure alignment with global climate goals.
J Sainsbury has established climate goals through participation in recognized frameworks and target-setting initiatives. Companies often set interim 2030 targets and long-term 2050 net-zero goals to demonstrate measurable progress toward decarbonization.

Common questions about J Sainsbury's sustainability data and climate commitments