Couche-Tard’s Pledge to Add EV Chargers and Sell Cage-Free Eggs May Not Be Enough to Satisfy ESG Investors

The article discusses Couche-Tard, a Canadian convenience store and gas station chain, and its efforts to transition to a more sustainable business model. The company has pledged to add electric vehicle (EV) charging stations and sell cage-free eggs at its stores, among other initiatives. However, some experts are skeptical about the effectiveness of these measures in addressing climate change.

Addas, a researcher who has been studying Couche-Tard for three years, suggests that the company’s focus on reducing its Scope 1 and 2 emissions is insufficient, as it only accounts for a small portion of its overall carbon footprint. He recommends that the company explore options such as offsetting its value chain emissions or joining organizations like the First Movers Coalition to accelerate decarbonization.

Pliniussen, an expert from Queen’s University, finds Couche-Tard’s pledge confusing and wonders if it will make any significant difference in reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. He notes that the company is only focusing on a small portion of its overall impact and does not address Scope 3 emissions, which are more challenging to mitigate.

The article also highlights some potential criticisms of Couche-Tard’s sustainability efforts, including:

• The pledge to increase the proportion of renewable fuel in its blends being seen as "marginal" and "irrelevant" by Addas, who believes that demand for fuel will decline significantly by the middle of the next decade.
• Pliniussen finding the pledge confusing and unclear.

In response to these criticisms, a Couche-Tard spokesperson directs readers to the company’s latest sustainability report and invites them to read it for more information.

Overall, the article suggests that while Couche-Tard’s efforts to transition to a more sustainable business model are laudable, they may not be enough to satisfy ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) investors who demand more significant action on climate change.