"SAN FRANCISCO -- Wal-Mart Stores Inc plans to massively cut greenhouse gas emissions from its global supply chain within five years -- an effort the retailer said is equivalent to taking more than 3.8 million cars off the road for a year.

Wal-Mart will reach that goal by having its suppliers reduce emissions involved in the sourcing, manufacturing, transportation, and disposal of the thousands of products it sells in its stores.

The plan to eliminate 20 million metric tons of greenhouse gas from its supply chain by the end of 2015 was announced in a Webcast on Thursday.

Chief Executive Mike Duke said the effort would cut energy use, which in turn would mean lower costs for Wal-Mart and lower prices."

Nicole Maestri reports for Reuters February 26, 2010. [2]