IRVING, Texas — 7-Eleven parent company Seven & i Holdings is working to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions “essentially to zero” in both Japan and the United States by 2050, according to a Nikkei Asia report.
The finance and markets news source reports that 7-Eleven is committing to spend about $960 million on emissions projects over the next five years, and that the company currently produces about 2.2 million tons of greenhouse gases a year.
Nikkei Asia wrote that as an early step, 250 7-Eleven stores in the United States will be outfitted with electric vehicle (EV) charging stations by 2027.
In Japan, the company will use solar panels and LED lamps at retail outlets, in addition to fuel-cell trucks to distribute supplies. More than 90% of 7-Eleven’s power consumption in Japan, however, takes place at retail stores, according to Nikkei Asia.
The news source also reports that the company is considering operating wind farms and hydroelectric power plants while investing in renewable energy operators. If the company’s target goal is not achieved, it is considering purchasing emission credits.
7-Eleven operates, franchises or licenses more than 71,800 stores in 17 countries, including approximately 12,000 in North America, with more than 9,350 in the United States. It is No. 1 on CSP’s 2020 Top 202 ranking of c-store chains by store count.