read more
An abundance of bottle dispensers in popular stores. Kaufland talks about big expenses
Dynamic business development also means growing responsibility for society and the ecosystem. Kaufland is fully aware of this, which is why from the beginning of its existence in Poland it has paid great attention to development in a sustainable manner, with respect for stakeholders and the environment. The retailer sets ambitious goals for climate protection and environmental and social responsibility. By the end of 2030, it intends to reduce emissions resulting from the company's operations by 80% compared to 2019, and by 2025 to be a climate-neutral company.
Almost 200 stations by the end of the year
Currently, one of Kaufland's most important initiatives in the development and promotion of energy-saving and pro-environmental solutions is the expansion of electric car charging stations. There are already 31 stations in the parking lots of the chain's supermarkets, but there will be several times more by the end of the year.
For us, the development of electric car charging infrastructure is one of the key elements of implementing our sustainable development strategy. We want to support solutions to reduce CO2 emissions, providing our customers with convenience and access to modern devices. The development of electromobility in Poland has been gaining momentum in recent years – consumer awareness and the number of electric cars and charging stations are growing. As a socially and environmentally responsible company, we want and must play our part in this, which is why we are intensifying our activities in this area. By the end of this year, we plan to launch 191 two-station stations, says Paweł Zaremba, Construction Projects Expert in the Construction and Real Estate Development Division of Kaufland.
Kaufland stations, depending on the location and configuration, have two DC charging connectors with a power of up to 50kW and one AC charging connector with a power of up to 22kW or 43kW. The chargers can be used temporarily free of charge and are available to customers during the opening hours of individual stores.
Savings thanks to solar energy
Kaufland also implements photovoltaic systems. Currently, these installations already operate in nineteen stores: in Gniezno, Jasło, Kędzierzyn Koźle, Stalowa Wola, Namysłów, Turek, Knurów, Skawina, Malbork, Wieluń, Katowice, Białystok, Częstochowa, Głogów, Opole, Olsztyn, Radom, Szczecin and Żywiec. They will soon be joined by another 19 supermarkets that are in the process of launching PV installations.
– Installing solutions using renewable energy is another step towards increasing our energy efficiency and implementing climate commitments. Photovoltaic panels on the roofs of our stores cover up to 20% of a given facility's electricity demand. Thanks to this, we not only reduce our energy consumption, but also contribute to environmental protection. Our long-term goal is to install photovoltaic panels on all existing facilities with an appropriate roof structure, as well as in newly built stores, says Michał Maciejczak, director of the Real Estate Construction and Development Division at Kaufland.
Zero-emission stores with certificates
Striving to achieve sustainable development goals and create zero-emission buildings, in 2022 Kaufland signed an agreement with suppliers to cover the volume of energy used in all facilities, i.e. headquarters, stores and distribution centers, with 100% green energy. He also completed a PLN 5.5 million investment in LED lighting installations in all supermarkets in Poland. The company consistently modernizes its stores, equipping them with new refrigeration devices and a waste heat recovery system that enables heating and cooling of stores without the use of fossil fuels.
Buildings were assessed in 31 facilities in accordance with the EDGE (Excellence in Design for Greater Efficiencies) system, created by the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group. It is a system that facilitates the design and certification of zero-emission and energy-efficient facilities, including newly designed or existing buildings, such as: airports, educational buildings, residential buildings, hospitals, hotels, light industrial facilities, office buildings, commercial buildings and warehouses. Its aim is to promote construction that limits the use of energy, water and other natural resources, thereby minimizing its impact on the environment.
The ECON energy management system implemented in Kaufland distribution centers also allows for increased control and optimization of energy consumption. It enables ongoing analyses, monitoring the causes of increased energy consumption, integration of building automation systems, generating detailed reports on energy consumption and documentation of activities under ISO.
Not only Kaufland stores are built sustainably. Already in March 2023, the company's headquarters, the Shared Services Center, obtained the BREEAM In-Use certificate, which is one of the most recognizable tools for assessing the quality of commercial buildings. The certification process was carried out by the consulting company JW+A, specializing in green construction and multi-criteria certifications. The building achieved results of "excellent" in the Asset Performance category and "very good" in the Building Management category.
