Case studies

Ocado

Sector: Retail & Grocery

Carbon footprint, scenario planning, reduction strategies, benchmarking

Ocado Limited, the unique and independent online grocer, is the first newcomer to the UK grocery market for a generation. The company has created a blueprint for the future of sustainable grocery shopping offering an alternative to going to the supermarket that is simple, fast, fun, greener and more accurate.

Ocado delivers orders out of a single fulfilment centre, not a network of stores, and its service extends to around 70% of the country.

In 2007 Ocado commissioned Greenstone to undertake carbon footprint analysis and scenario planning of its operations. The project required analysis of the previous 12 months’ operations, and carbon footprint modelling of future growth scenarios. A subsequent audit 6 months later confirmed a 21% reduction in Ocado’s monthly carbon emissions.

A recent follow up audit of Ocado’s operations during the first quarter of 2009 showed a continuing trend for reduction in its carbon intensity. This continues to substantiate Ocado’s claim that ‘an Ocado delivery has a lower carbon footprint than walking to a local supermarket’.