Portugal’s Sonae And MC Excel In Climate Action Policies
Portuguese conglomerate Sonae and its retail unit, MC, have been recognised by the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) for their leadership in combatting climate change.
Both companies achieved an A rating in the CDP’s global ranking for transparency and performance, placing them on the exclusive 2025 A List.
This list represents only a small fraction of the 22,000+ companies worldwide that report environmental data to the CDP.
Sonae and MC also secured A ratings in the Forests and Water categories, thanks to their consistent performance across multiple environmental disciplines.
The companies are implementing science-aligned targets to improve environmental sustainability across their value chains.
Key initiatives include enhancing energy-efficiency; increasing renewable energy use and procurement from suppliers with lower emission levels; decarbonising fleets; tackling waste and single-use materials; promoting recycling; saving water; investing in forest regeneration and circular services; and reducing natural-source consumption.
Measurable Impact, Targets
By the end of 2024, Sonae had sourced 61% of its electricity from renewable sources and reduced its Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 19%, compared to 2022.
Several Sonae businesses have had their ambitious reduction targets approved by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi).
Specifically, MC aims to reduce its Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions by 51% by 2032 (against a 2022 baseline) and achieve a 31% reduction in Scope 3 emissions, related to purchased goods and services.
Executive Board Reactions
Eduardo Piedade, an executive board member of Sonae, highlighted, “The fight against climate change, through emissions mitigation, adaptation to its impacts and climate risk management, is a strategic priority for Sonae.
“We have committed to achieving carbon neutrality by 2040 and are implementing concrete measures for climate action, [the] circular economy, and the preservation and regeneration of nature and biodiversity.”
Isabel Barros, an executive board member of MC, added, “This recognition shows how sustainability is embedded in MC Sonae’s strategy, through the definition of ambitious goals and the implementation of action plans with real and measurable impact.
“It is this commitment that allows us to act on our material priorities, mitigate risks, strengthen the resilience of the value chain, and unlock new growth opportunities, driven by the sustainability agenda, promoting the construction of a more sustainable future in a consistent, collaborative and purposeful way.”