Climate change mitigation goals, objectives and targets: the Walmart case

Research methodology The case is based solely on secondary sources available in the public domain. The methodology does not require masking names, events or dates, and did not require IRB or ethics boards approvals. Case overview/synopsis Walmart was the world’s largest retailer, and had taken a leadership position on climate change mitigation for the retail industry. Walmart crafted a goal to become net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040. The problem? In 2025, Walmart missed its target to reduce emissions by 35% compared to 2015 levels. Furthermore, Chief Sustainability Officer (CSO) Kathleen McLaughlin explained that Walmart did not expect to meet its 2030 target of 65% emissions reduction. There were several causes for optimism despite lagging performance. First, Walmart made progress towards the 2025 target by reducing emissions by 18.1%. Second, emissions intensity – emissions divided by sales – lowered in-house and for supply-chain partners. Concerning the missed targets, CSO McLaughlin stated that “progress is not always straightforward or linear.” It begs the question, what could Walmart do to course-correct and more urgently pursue its goal of net zero emissions by 2040? Complexity academic level The case was designed and developed for an upper-level undergraduate Strategic Management capstone course. The case can be taught in-person or online with the modifications outlined below in the teaching strategy section.