J Sainsbury scores 42/100 (Below expectations) on SINK's independent climate assessment — scored from public data only, no company payment can change a number. Last verified August 2026.
That places J Sainsbury joint 216th of 596 companies scored, and joint 17th of 44 in Retail (non-fashion).
Sainsbury's has delivered material Scope 1 & 2 reductions (52.8% absolute) and secured 100% renewable electricity across its estate. Scope 3 emissions—98% of footprint—lack confirmed absolute reductions. Supply chain and nature commitments remain largely forward-looking, not yet evidenced in delivery.
This score is built from public data only. If your practice is stronger than your disclosure, submit evidence for review — or challenge any question, free.
Same formula for every company. No curve. No private weighting.
SINK = (0.3 × Base + 0.7 × Performance) × ScaleStrongest on Carbon Footprint — Operations and Energy Source (8/10, 8/10). Weakest on Nature & Biodiversity Impact and Carbon Footprint — Supply Chain (5/10, 5/10).
17 sources used in this assessment. All publicly available. Each row shows which rubric questions it informed.
10 of 17 sources are third-party verified or public record.
“reduced our Scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions by 52.8 per cent since our baseline, despite growing as an organisation”
“53.6% reduction of absolute greenhouse gas emissions from our own operations, versus our 2018/19 baseline”
“Sainsbury's 2024-25 Plan for Better Report Limited Assurance Report · 04 Jun 2025”
“Scope 3 emissions (those in our value chain) form 98% of our total emissions”
“SBTi has also given the seal of approval for new targets that require Sainsbury's to cut Scope 3 emissions from energy, industry and transport by 50.4%”
“In 2023, Sainsbury's reported approximately 461,692,000 kg CO2e in Scope 1 and 2 emissions, a significant reduction from 2022”
“52.8% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 emissions from a 2018/19 baseline and achieving 100% renewable electricity sourcing”
“Pines Burn is the eighth wind farm from which Sainsbury's now buys 100% of the energy generated”
“The supermarket giant has committed to purchasing 100% of the renewable energy it produces over the next 15 years”
“delivered a further 2,812 tonne reduction in plastic in 2024/25, an absolute reduction of 18.7 per cent since our baseline in 2018”
“This switch will see a 90 percent reduction in plastic, eliminating 414 tonnes of plastic waste annually”
“Source 50% of the UK fresh food from areas of sustainable water management by 2030”
“We use one billion fewer litres of water a year now, compared to 2005”
“committed to reducing its absolute scope 1 and 2 emissions by 68% and scope 3 emissions associated with energy, industry and transport by 50.4%”
“Sainsbury's aims to be net zero in its own operations by 2035 and in its value chain by 2050”
“recognised for leadership in corporate transparency and performance on climate change by global environmental non-profit CDP, securing a place on its annual 'A List' for the 10th consecutive year”
“Climate Policy Engagement Overview In 2021-23, Sainsbury's engaged positively with top-line messaging on climate policy”
If you believe a source has been misread or a newer version exists, submit a challenge.
Where J Sainsbury sits among retail (non-fashion) peers.
Among the 44 major retail (non-fashion) brands we've scored, J Sainsbury is tied =17th of 44, with 3 others.
Score history begins 4 April 2026.
As J Sainsbury's score updates, the trajectory will appear here.
We're backfilling historical scores for FTSE 100 and S&P 100 companies over the coming weeks.
This score is not currently being contested.
Every challenge is published. We'd rather be corrected than wrong — that's the whole point.
No challenges submitted yet. If you have evidence that contradicts this score, you can challenge any question above — cite a public source and we'll review it.
J Sainsbury is a UK-based supermarket retailer operating ~1,400 stores across food, general merchandise, and clothing. Founded in 1869 and headquartered in London, it is the second-largest grocery retailer in the United Kingdom by market share, competing with Tesco, Asda, and Morrisons.
Direct competitor; UK supermarket chain with comparable scale and disclosure practices.
View breakdown →Direct competitor; UK grocery retailer; similar operational footprint and supply chain complexity.
View breakdown →Direct competitor; UK supermarket chain with aligned emissions reporting and renewable energy targets.
View breakdown →Comparable FMCG supplier; major food and beverage manufacturer with similar Scope 3 complexity.
View breakdown →Email alerts when a rubric question is verified, a challenge is resolved, or the overall score changes.
One email, every Sunday. Score changes, new research, the stories behind the numbers. Free.
No spam. Unsubscribe in one click.
Readers and institutions support our work. Companies can pay to submit evidence we couldn't find. Neither type of payment changes a score.