GLOBE-Net, 10 January 2007 - Wal-Mart's environmental initiatives have received widespread press coverage as the world's largest retailer ‘goes green'. In addition to a new generation of environmentally friendly stores and more sustainable products on the shelves, the greatest impact of the mega-chain's environmental turnaround could be the changes it causes in its global supply chain. Sustainability campaigns by Wal-Mart and other large multinationals are showing that corporate leadership can move more companies to adopt sustainable business models that benefit not only consumers but also the environment.

Wal-Mart is the world's largest retailer, ranking second on the Fortune 500 list with revenues of over US$300 billion. It has been a target of environmental and social protests, partly due to the enormous impact of its global business model which moves inexpensive products throughout the world, often to the detriment of other smaller competitors. But the company has embarked on a major environmental initiative that is already having a profound impact on its operations and on its supplier network.