Good Governance

Our ESG programme is a foundational part of our business transformation plan and is overseen by our Board of Directors and led by our Executive Committee. To ensure our business is resilient to the risks and responsive to the opportunities of the changing landscape, our leadership teams are aware of the need to build and maintain their knowledge of environmental, social and governance issues.

Strengthening our ESG strategy for a resilient future

To help future-proof our business, Asda’s Executive Committee took part in a deep-dive training session led by an external expert. This session explored the key environmental, social, and governance (ESG) trends shaping the global economy, the retail sector, and Asda’s role within it.

The focus was clear: climate change, natural resource use, and waste—areas that are not only critical to our operations but also to our customers, colleagues, and communities.

Building on this foundation, our leadership team undertook a comprehensive review of the ESG landscape. This included:

Immersing in global ESG trends
Benchmarking against competitors
Engaging with key stakeholders
Reviewing upcoming legislation and regulatory changes

The result? A refreshed ESG strategy that’s fully aligned with our business goals and built to stand the test of time. It’s designed to be flexible, forward-thinking, and capable of adapting to cultural shifts and evolving expectations.

We’re committed to making a positive impact, today and for generations to come.

Management and oversight of our ESG programme

Our Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) programme is overseen by the ESG Steering Committee, which acts on behalf of the Executive Committee and reports to the Board.

This committee plays a key role in shaping and delivering our ESG ambitions. Its responsibilities include:

Providing oversight of Asda’s ESG strategy, priorities, and performance
Reviewing and approving key disclosures, including our annual ESG Report
Managing climate-related enterprise risks

ESG in Action: 2024 Highlights

In 2024, the ESG Steering Committee focused on a wide range of strategic topics, including:

Responsible sourcing and human rights
Publication of the 2023 ESG Report
Governance and programme management
Zero waste priorities – including food waste reduction, our partnership with eBay, and the opening of the Leeds Community Shop
Net zero carbon transition planning and target setting
Climate risk and climate-related financial disclosures
Zero deforestation policies

This structure ensures that ESG is embedded in our decision-making and that we remain accountable to our stakeholders as we work toward a more sustainable future.