Walmart, Airbus, Neste & Finnair: Sustainability Highlights from Climate Week NYC
Two global companies are reshaping how businesses approach climate action. Walmart has delivered its supplier emissions target six years ahead of schedule. Airbus continues to push decarbonisation across one of the hardest sectors to clean up. Both demonstrate that sustainability leadership now sits at the executive table, not in a side office.
For UK businesses, particularly those supplying large retailers or operating in manufacturing and transport, these developments matter. They show where procurement standards are heading. They reveal what buyers increasingly expect from their supply chains. Most importantly, they prove that early action on emissions can deliver results faster than many thought possible.
The story also highlights sustainable aviation fuel as a practical tool for cutting emissions in sectors where alternatives remain limited. Partnerships between fuel producers like Neste and airlines such as Finnair illustrate how cross-industry collaboration can accelerate progress when single companies cannot solve the problem alone.
Walmart's billion-tonne milestone arrived early
Project Gigaton set out to avoid or reduce one billion metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions across Walmart's supply chain by 2030. The retailer hit that target in 2024. More than 5,900 suppliers participated in the programme, which focused on six areas: energy, waste, packaging, agriculture, forests, and product use.
Kathleen McLaughlin leads this work as Walmart's executive vice president and chief sustainability officer. She also serves as president and chair of the Walmart Foundation Board. Her remit covers jobs and sourcing, supply chain sustainability, and community resilience. Walmart describes her role as helping the company "create opportunity through jobs and sourcing, enhance sustainability of retail and retail supply chains and strengthen community resilience."
The early delivery of Project Gigaton signals a shift in how large retailers engage suppliers. Rather than setting aspirational goals with distant deadlines, Walmart built a programme that gave suppliers tools, data, and incentives to act. The result was faster progress than the company's own timeline anticipated.
This approach has implications for UK suppliers. If you sell to large retailers or multinational buyers, expect similar programmes to become standard. Procurement teams now ask for emissions data, reduction plans, and evidence of progress. Consequently, businesses without this information risk losing contracts or failing to qualify for tenders.
Airbus embeds sustainability at leadership level
Julie Kitcher serves as Airbus's chief sustainability officer and leads communications for the aerospace manufacturer. She has held this dual role since 2019. Under her leadership, Airbus secured Science Based Targets initiative approval for its near-term emissions reduction targets. The company positions her as a central figure in both operational transformation and sector-wide sustainability challenges.
Airbus describes Kitcher as overseeing "the Company's sustainability roadmap, driving Airbus' contribution to current environmental, societal, regulatory and technological challenges." Her responsibilities also include performance management, internal controls, corporate audit, and transformation. This breadth reflects how sustainability now touches every part of major industrial operations.
Aviation faces unique decarbonisation challenges. Electric aircraft remain years away from commercial viability for most routes. Hydrogen propulsion requires entirely new infrastructure. In the meantime, airlines and manufacturers must reduce emissions using available tools while preparing for longer-term technology shifts.
For UK manufacturers and engineering firms, Airbus's approach offers a template. Sustainability leadership needs to connect with operations, supply chains, and product development. It cannot sit in isolation. Moreover, industries with complex emissions profiles benefit from clear targets validated by external bodies like the Science Based Targets initiative.
Sustainable aviation fuel partnerships scale up
Aviation accounts for roughly 2.5% of global carbon emissions, but the sector lacks easy substitutes for jet fuel. Sustainable aviation fuel, made from waste oils, agricultural residues, or synthetic processes, can reduce lifecycle emissions by up to 80% compared to conventional kerosene. However, production remains limited and costs stay high.
Partnerships between fuel producers and airlines help address this gap. Neste, a Finnish refiner, produces SAF at commercial scale. Finnair, Finland's national carrier, uses that fuel to cut emissions from flights where electric or hydrogen aircraft are not yet feasible. These collaborations create demand certainty for producers and supply security for airlines.
Similar dynamics apply in the UK. Airlines operating from British airports increasingly seek SAF to meet their climate commitments. Meanwhile, the UK government has set a target for at least 10% of jet fuel to be sustainable by 2030. Businesses involved in waste management, agriculture, or industrial processes may find new revenue opportunities by supplying feedstocks for SAF production.
Additionally, companies that rely on air freight should monitor SAF adoption. As airlines incorporate more sustainable fuel, freight costs may rise. Early conversations with logistics providers can help you plan for these changes and avoid surprises when contracts renew.
Recognition for retail sustainability leadership
Kathleen McLaughlin recently received recognition from the Retail Council of Canada as one of the first recipients of its Sustainable Leaders of the Year Award. The award reflects her work connecting decarbonisation with business performance, supplier engagement, and resilience. It also signals that the retail sector increasingly values executives who can turn climate ambition into operational delivery.
This trend is not limited to North America. UK retailers face growing pressure from investors, regulators, and customers to reduce emissions and demonstrate progress. Boards now appoint sustainability officers with real budgets and decision-making authority. Furthermore, these roles increasingly report directly to the chief executive rather than sitting within corporate affairs or communications.
For suppliers to UK retailers, this shift means sustainability criteria will become more rigorous. Buyers will ask for detailed emissions data, aligned targets, and evidence of improvement. They will also expect you to engage your own suppliers on these issues, cascading accountability down the chain.
Walmart's regenerative company vision
McLaughlin has described Walmart's goal as becoming a "regenerative company" that makes sustainable choices accessible at scale. In a 2023 interview, she said the aim is "to make the sustainable choice the everyday choice for our customers." This philosophy drives Walmart's approach to product design, sourcing, and supply chain management.
The idea is simple: customers should not have to choose between affordability and sustainability. Instead, the company works to "rewire product supply chains for sustainability so that customers do not have to make a choice between an affordable product and a sustainable one." This requires engaging thousands of suppliers, changing specifications, and building new sourcing relationships.
UK businesses can learn from this approach. If you manufacture consumer goods, consider how you might reduce the carbon intensity of your products without raising prices. Often, this involves energy efficiency improvements, material substitution, or redesigning packaging. These changes can also reduce costs over time by cutting waste and energy bills.
Moreover, making sustainability accessible rather than premium helps you reach a broader market. Not every customer will pay extra for a green product, but most will choose it if the price and quality match the alternative. Therefore, the competitive advantage goes to companies that integrate sustainability into their core operations rather than treating it as a niche offering.
Key details UK businesses should note
- Walmart reached its Project Gigaton target of avoiding or reducing one billion metric tons of emissions in 2024, six years ahead of the 2030 deadline.
- More than 5,900 suppliers participated in the Walmart programme, demonstrating the scale of supply chain engagement now expected by major retailers.
- Airbus has secured Science Based Targets initiative approval for its near-term emissions reduction targets under Julie Kitcher's leadership.
- Kathleen McLaughlin holds dual roles as Walmart's chief sustainability officer and president of the Walmart Foundation Board, reflecting the integration of sustainability into core business strategy.
- Sustainable aviation fuel can reduce lifecycle emissions by up to 80% compared to conventional jet fuel, making it a key tool for aviation decarbonisation.
- The UK government has set a target for at least 10% of jet fuel to be sustainable by 2030, creating new opportunities for feedstock suppliers.
- Retail sustainability leadership is increasingly recognised through industry awards, signalling that the market values executives who deliver measurable climate results.
What this means for supply chains and procurement
The early success of Project Gigaton shows that supplier engagement programmes work when they provide clear frameworks and support. Walmart did not simply demand emissions reductions. Instead, the company gave suppliers access to data, tools, and guidance. This approach enabled thousands of businesses to act, many of which lacked internal sustainability expertise.
UK businesses should expect similar programmes from their own customers. Large buyers increasingly require suppliers to measure and report emissions, set reduction targets, and demonstrate progress. If you supply retailers, manufacturers, or public sector organisations, you will likely face these requirements in the next one to three years.
Preparing now gives you an advantage. Start by measuring your carbon footprint using a recognised methodology. Our compliance support services can help you understand what data to collect and how to report it. Once you have baseline figures, you can set realistic reduction targets and track progress.
Furthermore, engaging your own suppliers early can prevent bottlenecks later. If your customers ask you to reduce Scope 3 emissions, you will need data and cooperation from the businesses that supply you. Building those relationships now makes the process smoother when deadlines arrive.
Industrial decarbonisation requires cross-sector collaboration
Airbus's sustainability work highlights a critical point: some sectors cannot decarbonise in isolation. Aviation depends on fuel producers, airport operators, air traffic control systems, and regulatory frameworks. Progress requires coordination across all these players, not just individual company pledges.
This principle applies to many UK industries. If you work in manufacturing, construction, or transport, your emissions often depend on the energy grid, material suppliers, and logistics providers. Consequently, your decarbonisation strategy must account for these external factors and seek collaboration where possible.
Industry associations can play a valuable role here. Groups like the Aerospace Technology Institute or the Manufacturing Technology Centre bring companies together to share knowledge and coordinate action. Participating in these forums can give you early insight into sector-wide initiatives and help you align your strategy with emerging standards.
Additionally, public sector frameworks increasingly reward collaborative approaches. When bidding for government contracts, demonstrating that you work with suppliers and industry partners on sustainability can strengthen your submission. Our sustainable procurement support helps businesses navigate these requirements and build competitive bids.
Measuring progress with credible frameworks
Both Walmart and Airbus use recognised frameworks to validate their climate work. Walmart reports emissions reductions across its supply chain using established methodologies. Airbus secured Science Based Targets initiative approval, which requires companies to show that their targets align with climate science and the Paris Agreement.
UK businesses should adopt similar approaches. Setting vague sustainability goals without clear measurement invites scepticism from customers, investors, and regulators. In contrast, using frameworks like the Greenhouse Gas Protocol or the Science Based Targets initiative provides credibility and comparability.
These frameworks also help you avoid greenwashing accusations. Regulators increasingly scrutinise environmental claims, and the penalties for misleading statements can be severe. Therefore, grounding your sustainability work in recognised standards protects your reputation and ensures your efforts withstand external review.
If you need help choosing the right framework or setting science-based targets, our net zero programme provides structured support tailored to UK SMEs. We help you measure emissions accurately, set credible targets, and report progress in ways that meet buyer and regulatory expectations.
Training and capability building for sustainability teams
As sustainability moves from aspiration to operation, businesses need staff who understand the technical and strategic aspects of climate action. This includes carbon accounting, supply chain engagement, regulatory compliance, and stakeholder communication. Hiring external consultants can fill gaps, but building internal capability delivers long-term value.
Training programmes can help your team develop these skills. Courses on Scope 3 emissions, life cycle assessment, or sustainable procurement give staff the tools to manage climate work day-to-day. Moreover, investing in training demonstrates to customers and partners that you take sustainability seriously and have the capacity to deliver on commitments.
The SBS Academy offers practical training on carbon reporting and net zero strategy designed for busy professionals. Sessions focus on real-world application rather than abstract theory, helping your team apply what they learn immediately.
Authoritative sources for further information
The UK government's Department for Energy Security and Net Zero publishes guidance on carbon reporting, net zero targets, and sector-specific decarbonisation pathways. You can find resources at www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-energy-security-and-net-zero.
For businesses seeking to set science-based targets, the Science Based Targets initiative provides detailed criteria and validation processes. Visit sciencebasedtargets.org for guidance and case studies.
The Greenhouse Gas Protocol offers the most widely used standards for corporate carbon accounting. Their resources cover Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions and include sector-specific supplements. Access these at ghgprotocol.org.
UK businesses interested in sustainable aviation fuel can find information on government policy and industry developments through the Department for Transport's jet zero strategy. Details are available at www.gov.uk/government/publications/jet-zero-strategy-delivering-net-zero-aviation-by-2050.