Energy & Climate
Saving energy and reducing greenhouse gas emissions are key objectives of the Migros Group. In 2018, it increased energy efficiency and replaced fossil fuels with renewable energy.
The Migros Group companies are steadily reducing their power consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. Most companies have agreed binding targets for CO2 reduction and energy efficiency with the state and cantons.
Reduction of energy consumption & greenhouse gas emissions
In order to achieve their objectives, the Migros Group companies focus primarily on saving energy. The second most important measure is the expansion of renewable energies. In 2018, the Migros Group also decided to gradually phase out HCFC refrigerants, which have high global warming potential. The new cooling systems use natural refrigerants or those with low global warming potential that cause minimal harm to the environment.
Focus Cooperative Retailing
As part of its climate and energy strategy 2020 (KES2020), Cooperative Retailing has set itself the ambitious target of using 10% less power by 2020...
Focus Cooperative Retailing
As part of its climate and energy strategy 2020 (KES2020), Cooperative Retailing has set itself the ambitious target of using 10% less power and emitting 20% less greenhouse gases between 2010 and 2020. Thus, it will save twice as much greenhouse gas emissions in this period as stipulated by the federal climate protection targets. The target of reducing energy consumption by 10% in absolute terms is also much more ambitious than the target set in the federal government's energy strategy 2050.
In 2018, Cooperative Retailing had reduced power consumption in the branches and logistics enterprises by 9.8% since 2010 in absolute terms. In the same period, greenhouse gas emissions decreased by 22.4%. This reduction was due in particular to the use of LED lighting and CO2 cooling systems, as well as building technology improvements in the branches. In 2018, Migros operated 66% of its Cooperative Retailing stores with cooling systems using the natural refrigerant CO2.
In 2018, Migros operated three supermarkets and specialist markets that produce more energy than they consume over the course of a year – plus-energy branches. The concept is based on an intelligent combination of energy efficiency measures and the production of solar power by means of photovoltaic systems on the roofs.
Energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions were as follows in Cooperative Retailing:
Power consumption
| Cooperative Retailing, electricity in GWh 1 |
2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | Change from previous year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electricity | 616 | 610 | 599 | 594 | 579 | -2.5% |
1 Branches and logistics centres (operating centres, distribution centres and FMC)
Specific energy consumption, branches
| Migros branches, specific energy consumption in kWh/m2 sales area |
2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | Change from previous year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electricity | 352 | 341 | 330 | 319 | 306 | -4.1% |
| Heat | 33 | 35 | 35 | 33 | 30 | -9.1% |
| Total | 385 | 376 | 365 | 352 | 336 | -4.5% |
Specific greenhouse gas emissions, branches
| Migros branches, specific greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) in kg CO2eq/m2 sales area 1 |
2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | Change from previous year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CO2eq electricity 2 | 46.8 | 45.4 | 43.9 | 42.5 | 40.7 | -4.2% |
| CO2eq refrigerant losses | 21.2 | 18.1 | 15.0 | 15.5 | 16.3 | 5.2% |
| CO2 heat | 6.8 | 7.3 | 7.0 | 7.3 | 6.5 | -11.0% |
| Total | 74.8 | 70.8 | 66.0 | 65.2 | 63.5 | -2.6% |
1 Scope 1 and 2, in accordance with Greenhouse Gas Protocol
2 In accordance with Swiss consumption mix at 132.9g CO2eq/kWh power
Focus M-Industry
As part of their sustainability strategy, the M-Industry companies have set themselves the target of reducing energy consumption by 6.3% by 2020 compared with 2010.
Focus M-Industry
As part of their sustainability strategy, the M-Industry companies have set themselves the target of reducing energy consumption by 6.3% by 2020 compared with 2010. They are also striving to use only renewable energy sources by 2040.
In 2018, Mifroma converted the heat supply at its Ursy (FR) site to enable the waste heat from refrigeration and compressed air generation to be used as a heat source. Thus, the amount of heat generated by heating oil has been reduced from 96% to 5%.
Promotion of renewable energy
As a pioneer in the field, Migros is generating more and more electricity with photovoltaic systems on its roofs, and is replacing fossil fuels with heat from renewable sources.
Electricity from solar energy
In 2018, two new photovoltaic systems with an installed output of 500 kWp each were put into operation on the roofs of Aproz and Bischofszell Nahrungsmittel AG.
Electricity from solar energy
In 2018, two new photovoltaic systems with an installed output of 500 kWp each were put into operation on the roofs of Aproz and Bischofszell Nahrungsmittel AG. More than 95% of the solar power produced is consumed by the companies themselves. This means that a total of about 960 MWh less electricity is drawn from the grid annually – enough to supply 320 average households.
At the end of 2018, the Migros Group owned 283 photovoltaic plants with an installed output of 29'742 kWp. They generate 28'817 MWh of power annually, which corresponds to the power consumption of about 9'600 average households.
Development of photovoltaic plants owned by Migros
| Migros Group, installed solar power plants owned by Migros in Kilowatt Peak |
2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | Change from previous year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Installed power total | 13'795 | 21'402 | 27'055 | 27'832 | 29'742 | 6.9% |
Heat from renewable energies
In 2018, Migros Lucerne put a biomass cogeneration plant into use at the operations centre in Dierikon.
Heat from renewable energies
In 2018, Migros Lucerne put a biomass cogeneration plant into use at the operations centre in Dierikon. In addition to heating and hot water for the company premises and adjacent properties, it provides cooling and electricity for its own requirements. A steam turbine generates 500 kW of electricity for internal use. The waste heat is used to heat the Migros Lucerne operations centre and supply it with hot water.
Consultancy Services
Migros Bank promotes sustainable construction
Since 2018, Migros has offered an "eco discount".
Migros Bank promotes sustainable construction
Since 2018, Migros has offered an "eco discount". It offers property owners an interest rate saving of 0.15% (new customers: 0.3%) on their fixed mortgage for the first five years. To take advantage of the eco discount, the property used by the owner must meet Minergie's energy efficiency criteria or specific GEAK energy classes.
Migros also promotes the construction of plus-energy buildings. In 2018, it awarded the first "special solar prize for apartment buildings" to a property offering energy-efficient living space at affordable rental prices.
Migrol supports energy-efficient living
Since 2018, Migrol has offered advice on the topic of "energy-efficient homes".
Migrol supports energy-efficient living
Since 2018, Migrol has offered advice on the topic of "energy-efficient homes". The aim of the energy advice is to suggest measures that improve the environmental and energy footprint of buildings, with a particular focus on energy efficiency, optimum heating systems and energy self-sufficiency.
Migrol also offers the possibility of obtaining a building energy certificate from the cantons (GEAK). GEAK categorises the required energy into energy classes in a similar way as for electrical appliances.
Climate & energy in the classroom
Since 2018, the Federation of Migros Cooperatives has supported the myblueplanet association's project "Every cell counts – solar power for schools".
Climate & energy in the classroom
Since 2018, the Federation of Migros Cooperatives has supported the myblueplanet association's project "Every cell counts – solar power for schools". It brings the topic of climate policy and energy transition into the classroom in an action-oriented way, enables solar plants to be built on top of school buildings, and involves schools and communities in addressing the topic of solar energy.
