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Engagement in Public Policy

GRI:  2-28; 3-3; 415-1
G | Published: March 17, 2023

The U.S. Capitol building stands against a blue sky with cumulus clouds on the horizon.

Our Aspiration

Through policy advocacy, engagement with lawmakers, support of the political process, and collaboration with business coalitions and key NGOs, we aim to support public policy that is in the interests of our business, customers, associates, communities, and other stakeholders.

Relevance to Our Business & Society

Good public policy strengthens our business and promotes a stable and predictable business environment. Public policy can also catalyze positive action on issues that are important to business and society, including economic opportunity and capacity building, as well as improving our natural environment and climate to ensure sustainable supply chains.


Together with government and civil society, businesses like Walmart play a critical role in addressing societal issues. Our stakeholders, including customers, investors, associates, and communities, expect us to engage in public policy in a transparent manner to support our business by helping solve social and environmental challenges.

Walmart’s Approach

Walmart aims to shape public policy that enables our business and the creation of shared value for our stakeholders. Our approach includes:

  • Governance of Walmart’s public policy strategies to align with our business priorities and values, promote transparency, and comply with the law;
  • Advocating for policies at the local, state, national, and international levels that promote the interests of our customers, associates, and other stakeholders in our business;
  • Engaging in the political process by encouraging our associates to vote, as well as through the Walmart Inc. Political Action Committee for Responsible Government (WALPAC); and
  • Working with trade associations and business coalitions to prioritize and advance issues that affect our stakeholders and our business.

Key Strategies & Progress

Governance & Transparency | Public Policy Advocacy | Engagement in the Political Process | Working Through Business Organizations


While Walmart has an interest in a broad range of public policy issues, we focus our engagement at the intersection of our business interests and stakeholder interest.

Governance & Transparency

We govern our public policy activities to ensure alignment with Walmart business priorities and values, to promote transparency, and to comply with the law and our political spending policies. Governance includes Walmart Board of Directors and Board Committee oversight, management oversight, and regular, transparent reporting on policy activities.


Board and Board Committee Oversight

By charter, the Nominating and Governance Committee (NGC) of the Walmart Inc. Board of Directors—a Board committee comprising entirely independent directors—oversees our public policy strategies and activities. Consistent with Walmart’s Government Relations Policy, management provides regular updates at least annually to the NGC concerning the company’s public policy strategy.


In 2022, management discussions with the NGC included:

  • Walmart’s planned U.S. federal government affairs and policy priorities for 2022-2023;
  • A review of 2021-2022 activities;
  • WALPAC political contribution strategy and plans for 2022-2023; and
  • International government affairs strategies.


Highlights from these discussions were shared with the full Board.


Management Oversight

Walmart management designs and implements our public policy activities day-to-day. Walmart’s Government Relations Policy governs the company’s interaction with elected officials and legislative and regulatory bodies at all levels. Among other things, the policy:

  • Delineates roles and responsibilities with regard to interactions with public officials and legislative bodies:
    • Walmart’s Government Affairs teams coordinate company interactions concerning public policy or electoral matters with elected or appointed officials and legislative and regulatory bodies at the global, federal, state/provincial, and local levels;
    • Walmart’s Global Governance organization generally manages contacts with government agencies concerning litigation, enforcement, compliance, and security matters;
  • Sets parameters on the use of corporate and political action committee funds for political purposes (where legally permissible), including the criteria to be applied in making contributions;
  • Governs fundraising and solicitation by Walmart associates; and
  • Defines the criteria for evaluation of trade association memberships in light of their policy positions and/or political advocacy.


Management’s approach to these issues is further described below (see Public Policy AdvocacyEngagement in the Political Process, and Working Through Business Organizations).


Transparency

Walmart is committed to transparency regarding our public policy activities. We submit quarterly reports to Congress that outline our federal lobbying activities, including lobbying expenditures for each quarter and the specific legislative items and public policy issues that were the topics of communication. In each quarterly report, we identify the specific registered lobbyist who acted on behalf of the company. We also submit biannual contribution reports.



Beyond these legally mandated reports, Walmart’s Government Relations Policy commits the company to reporting at least annually on our public policy priorities, strategies and activities, as well as transparency in its trade association memberships and lobbying activities. To that end, Walmart has:


  • Since 2013, included a discussion regarding our public policy priorities, advocacy strategy, and engagements in our ESG reporting;
  • Since 2015, provided state and federal lobbying information on our Investor Relations website;
  • Disclosed our philosophy on trade association memberships and our approach to dealing with trade association policy misalignments (see below); and
  • Published a list of trade associations to which Walmart contributes funds of $25,000 or more and committed to updating it at least annually.


Public Policy Advocacy

Walmart engages in public policy discussions to promote the interests of our stakeholders by focusing on issues that align with our shared value approach, without regard for the private political preferences of any associates (including senior leadership and executives). We determine whether and how to weigh in on these matters by considering three factors:

  1. Relevance to our business and brand: How closely the issue relates to our core business and whether engagement aligns with our strategies, values, and vision.
  2. Stakeholder expectations: How customers, associates, communities and other stakeholder groups view the particular issue and the degree of stakeholder alignment on the issue.
  3. Our ability to be an effective and credible actor: Whether Walmart can make a difference on the issue (alone or alongside others), and the degree to which Walmart taking action on the issue would be helpful and welcome.


Key Issues

Key issues on which we engage in public advocacy include:

  1. Corporate tax policy;
  2. Energy and climate;
  3. Healthcare;
  4. Individual data privacy;
  5. Marketplace trust and transparency;
  6. Nature, biodiversity, and sustainable commodities;
  7. Racial equity;
  8. Trade and manufacturing;
  9. Transportation and supply chains;
  10. Waste reduction and circular economy; and
  11. Workforce development.


In support of these efforts in the United States, we employ federal and state registered lobbyists, and registered lobbyist consultants, as well as engage in lobbying contacts as defined under the U.S. Lobbying Disclosure Act.


1. Corporate Tax Policy

Walmart continues to be one of the largest corporate taxpayers and advocates for tax policy solutions that are competitive, fair, and pro-growth. Keeping the U.S. corporate tax rate competitive globally and ensuring U.S. companies are not subject to double taxation is important for fostering economic growth. Such policies allow for a reliable and consistent code for all taxpayers and help businesses prioritize the United States as a primary destination for investment and job creation.


Read more: Serving Communities: contributing to tax revenue


2. Energy and Climate

Climate change and the resulting increase in extreme weather are global challenges that have serious implications for how we source and deliver our products, our ability to ensure everyday low prices, whether we can source and sell certain foods, where we build our stores, how we manage disasters, and more. We believe a strong climate strategy supports the resilience of our business and the communities we serve. In 2021, the Walmart Inc. Board of Directors approved our Statement on Climate Policy, which frames our advocacy around achieving 1.5 degree-aligned, science-based national and international climate policies.


Recent examples of our direct public policy advocacy include:

  • Meeting with key lawmakers and advocating support for the climate provisions of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), as well as assisting our key trade associations to develop constructive positions on these climate provisions. Prior to the IRA, we spoke out publicly and engaged lawmakers directly to emphasize the importance and urgency of the climate provisions in the Build Back Better legislation, as well as conveyed support for carbon pricing and sector-based, technology-neutral approaches to decarbonize sectors like agriculture.
  • Engaging the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) directly, and via business coalitions and trade associations, on the SEC’s proposed regulation of climate disclosures.
  • Engaging lawmakers on implementation of the American Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM) Act and Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol. AIM requires a 15-year phasedown of HFCs at the national level and, along with the Kigali Amendment, is expected to create 150,000 direct and indirect U.S. jobs, including 33,000 new manufacturing jobs.
  • Engaging lawmakers to support the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which our major trade associations also supported, and which includes federal investments in the energy and transportation sectors to support climate resilience.

Walmart continues to advocate for Paris-aligned climate policy on the global stage. Prior to COP26 in November 2021, we joined two key public-private sector initiatives led by U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry. The first, Glasgow is Our Business, showcased strong CEO-level sector support for a successful COP26 agreement. The second, the Clean Energy Demand Initiative, works to convey demand and policy signals from large private sector buyers to drive clean energy investment in crucial global markets. We participated in business dialogues during COP26 and represented the official business observer groups in encouraging support and action on measures to solidify global carbon market rules and other policy elements in the Glasgow Climate Pact. In November 2022, at COP27, Walmart supported a business call for countries to take necessary action to keep global temperature rises to 1.5oC. Walmart was also a member of the International Chamber of Commerce’s (ICC) delegation at COP27 supporting the business voice in ongoing climate negotiations.


Walmart’s climate advocacy is part of a broader climate strategy that also includes governance, climate risk assessment, science-based targets and supporting mitigation initiatives, adaptation and disclosures.


Read More: Climate Change


3. Healthcare

Walmart is committed to providing accessible, affordable, human-centered care to our associates and the communities we serve. With more than 5,100 pharmacies nationwide, and more than 4,000 Walmart stores located in a HRSA-designated medically underserved area or population, or area with limited pharmacy options, our company is in a unique position to provide health and wellness services to many Americans. Walmart Health was launched in 2019 to provide our customers healthcare services at transparent prices and is committed to making quality healthcare more convenient, accessible, and affordable.


Accordingly, our public policy priorities focus on advancing health equity through promotion of greater accessibility to health and wellness services. Examples include:

  • Expanding the role of health professionals: Pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, and nurse practitioners play a critical role in preventive services, education, and healthcare delivery, particularly for those who live in rural and medically underserved areas. Too often, public policy restricts their ability to practice. Walmart advocates for permanent expansion of these roles in vaccination, testing, treatment, and other practice areas.
  • Telehealth and Virtual Care Delivery: Telehealth, which became mainstream during the COVID-19 pandemic, removes barriers to care. Reimbursement policy, however, still favors traditional in-person care, and not everyone has access to telehealth. Walmart supports legislation that helps to ensure that individuals have access to high-speed internet and adequate technology to access telehealth services.


Read more: Introducing the Walmart Health CenterWalmart Health Nearly Doubles in Size With Launch Into Two New States in 2024Walmart Expands Commitment To Accelerate the End of AIDS in the US


4. Individual Data Privacy

Walmart works with policymakers to enhance consumer privacy in the physical, digital, and omni-channel world. We strongly support bipartisan efforts toward a national privacy law that protects the rights of all consumers in the U.S. In the absence of a preemptive federal law, Walmart supports state laws that give consumers greater control over their data and that provide companies clear expectations and reasonable compliance standards.


Read More: Digital Citizenship: Ethical Use of Data & Responsible Use of Technology.


5. Marketplace Trust & Transparency

Counterfeit and stolen goods are a growing problem on some online marketplaces. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has stated that "the production and trafficking of counterfeit goods poses a significant health and safety threat to consumers...[and] impacts the economic growth of legitimate businesses and consumers through lost revenue, downtime, and replacement costs." As an omni-channel retailer, we advocate for consumer protection legislation that would curb these activities. We advocated for the INFORM Consumers Act, which directs digital marketplaces to verify high-volume third-party sellers by authenticating the seller's government ID, tax ID, bank account information, and contact information, and disclose to the consumer when they are purchasing from a third-party seller. The Act was enacted in 12 states in 2022 and became federal law in December 2022.


In Latin America, we lead the Digital Tools for Rule of Law and Recovery (DT4RR) multi-stakeholder initiative, to promote tax, customs, licensing, and procurement digitalization.


6. Nature, Biodiversity, and Sustainable Commodities

Many of the products that Walmart sells are dependent on nature. Degradation and loss of critical landscapes and biodiversity can make these products more expensive to produce or altogether unavailable, in addition to devastating our communities. We aspire to transform product supply chains toward a regenerative approach to help reverse negative trends and sustain resources for the future.


Walmart supports public policies that promote regenerative approaches both directly and through engagement with trade associations. Recent examples include:

  • Supporting the development of the Midwest Row Crop Collaborative’s Working Lands Lead the Way: Policy Priorities for Regenerative Agriculture, which highlights opportunities for public-private collaboration.
  • Engaging the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Indonesia’s Ministry of Agriculture,  and Coordinating Ministry of Economic Affairs on Walmart's sustainability expectations, and assessing and advancing palm oil certification schemes that address sustainable practices and people in supply chains.
  • Engaging the government of the Republic of the Marshall Islands in support of place-based initiatives that advance sustainable seafood practices.
  • Working with the Seafood Task Force to engage the Thai government on creating an enabling environment for supply chain sustainability. 
  • Engaging with the U.S. Department of State in the lead-up to the 2022 United Nations Biodiversity Conference (COP15) to understand the U.S. government’s planned activity and engagement, as well as convey Walmart’s position that a global biodiversity agreement is important to both strengthen global coordination as well as elevate biodiversity as an international political priority.


Read More: Regeneration of Natural ResourcesProduct Supply Chain Sustainability


7. Racial Equity

Walmart advances racial equity through our business, including by providing equitable access to everyday products and services, good jobs, and opportunities for suppliers to access our customers. We have also launched Shared Value Networks (SVNs) to identify ways to bring Walmart business capabilities to bear on advancing equity in four societal systems: criminal justice, education, finance, and health.


Walmart supports public policies aligned with these priorities both directly and through engagement with trade associations. Recent advocacy includes:

  • Criminal Justice:
    • Supporting the enactment of fully inclusive hate and bias crime laws, including local ordinances that ban "malicious harassment" based on a variety of identifiers —including race, sexual orientation, and gender identity.
    • Supporting the federal Clean Slate Act, which would automatically seal the federal arrest records of individuals convicted of low-level, non-violent, drug offenses after successfully completing their sentence and individuals charged but not convicted of these offenses. The Act would also establish a petition-based record-sealing process for certain other non-violent federal offenses that are not automatically sealed.
    • Supporting the removal of unnecessary barriers to occupational licensure for individuals convicted of certain crimes. Such reforms help to mitigate the impact of existing inequities in the criminal justice and workforce systems and expand employment and entrepreneurial opportunities — particularly in communities of color.
  • Education:
    • Supporting legislation in numerous U.S. states to address the use of debt-based holds on higher education transcripts which prevents many working learners from pursuing post-secondary education and skills training. In addition, Walmart has supported modernizing the federal tax code — specifically around increasing allowable expense levels and updates to covered expenses — that address the modern education environment.
  • Finance:
    • Supporting state proposals that would require a financial literacy or personal finance course before completing middle or high school, to address the importance and need for financial acumen for all and greater financial inclusion.
  • Health:
    • Supporting state actions to extend Medicaid postpartum coverage from 60 days to 12 months. Due to the heightened awareness of health risks for mothers during the 12 months following childbirth, and that Medicaid disproportionately covers racial and ethnic minorities, extending postpartum coverage is increasingly recognized as a policy intervention that will help to reduce disparities and improve maternal health outcomes.
    • Supporting federal and state proposals to enact the Create a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair (CROWN) Act, which would take meaningful steps to help reduce race-based hair discrimination.


Read More: Center for Racial EquityEquity & Inclusion at Walmart and BeyondWalmart and CareSource Enter Agreement To Address Health Disparities


8. Trade & U.S. Manufacturing

Walmart advocates for a rules-based global trade system to enhance economic growth through reduced barriers to market access, consumer choice and sustainable development. In addition, we engage in advocacy to promote laws, policies, and regulations that reduce risk, advance environmental sustainability, promote an enabling environment for U.S. manufacturing, and promote worker dignity in supply chains. We are also committed to substantially increasing our spend on U.S.-manufactured products and addressing barriers to U.S. production.


Recent examples of our advocacy in support of these principles include:

  • Working with suppliers and allied trade associations to oppose unilateral tariffs that increase costs for consumers and reduce competitiveness of U.S. manufacturers.
  • Engaging the U.S. Department of State and Department of Labor on effective approaches to root out forced labor in international trade. In particular, we have promoted the responsible recruitment of migrant workers and support for Fair Recruitment Principles as key elements of combating forced labor in global supply chains.
  • Engaging directly with Southeast Asian governments on the need to enforce laws to reduce the prevalence of forced labor across that region, actions governments can take to address root causes of forced labor, and ways governments can fill policy gaps relating to forced labor.
  • Assisting USAID and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security with the development of guidance on fair recruitment practices for temporary migrant workers, which was released by those agencies in 2022.
  • Working through the Bali Process Government and Business Forum (as the U.S. business representative) to engage ministers from over 40 countries across Asia-Pacific on policy recommendations to eliminate modern forms of slavery.
  • Elevating minority-owned supplier access issues with trade ministers across Latin America, the Presidents of Guatemala and Chile, and with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).


Read More: Investing in the Future of U.S. Manufacturing, Our Commitment to American JobsAmerican Lighthouses – Walmart’s Vision


9. Transportation and Supply Chains

Our supply chains are the backbone of our business, allowing Walmart to serve our customers and communities with the products and services that they have come to rely on. We support public policies that promote innovation, and support efficiency and emissions reductions. Recent examples include:

  • Supporting our trade associations in their engagement with the U.S. Department of Transportation to consider the retail sector during its planning for the implementation of the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program.
  • Working directly with U.S. state coordinators on their electric vehicle charging plans.
  • Collaborating with PepsiCo to release a set of public policy principles to convey to federal and state policymakers the types of policy interventions, planning and guidance that can support the efficient and economical transition to zero-emission commercial transportation fleets. These principles reflect our business strategy, promote efficiency and optimization as a reduction pathway and take a technology-neutral approach so that we can align our distribution network outcomes with environmental and community benefits.


Read More: Zero Sum: How Walmart Transportation is Working to Reduce Emissions Now and in the Future


10. Waste Reduction and Circular Economy

A bright, colorful rectangular receptacle offers options for recycling several things, ranging from skincare and beauty products to home and garden packaging, plastic bottles and even plastic toys.

Walmart aims to break the link between consumption and waste as part of the larger global movement towards a more circular economy. We aspire to achieve zero waste in our global operations and to work with suppliers, customers and communities to accelerate the adoption of innovative packaging, products designed for circularity, and recycling initiatives.


Accordingly, our public policy priorities focus on advancing a more circular economy through promotion of extended producer responsibility legislation and plastics pollution cooperation:

  • Extended Producer Responsibility: Walmart endorsed the Consumer Goods Forum’s (CGF) principles on Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) and participated in CGF’s U.S. EPR coalition with the goal of supporting model EPR at the state and federal level. We also worked with the Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) to develop a Retail Viewpoint for upcoming legislative sessions and supported the enactment of Colorado’s Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) legislation.
  • Plastics: The March 2022 meeting of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) marked the start of a multi-year negotiation to launch a binding global treaty to end plastics pollution. This new treaty would seek to control the production of certain plastics, restricting and monitoring the use of dangerous chemicals, and implementing a robust reporting environment to encourage transparency around plastic waste. At Climate Week NYC in September 2022, The Ellen MacArthur Foundation (EMF) and World Wildlife Fund (WWF) launched the Business Coalition for a Global Plastics Treaty to advocate for an ambitious plastics treaty. Walmart endorsed the vision and supported this coalition during the first negotiation meeting of the Global Plastics Treaty (INC1). The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) has also launched a new working group on the Plastics Treaty, of which Walmart is the chair.


Read More: Bag Better


11. Workforce Development

Walmart supports workforce training and education policy efforts and actively engages in business collaboratives such as the Business Roundtable’s Multiple Pathways Initiatives and the Markle Foundation's Rework America Alliance that are focused on building stronger career pathways for workers using skills as the currency for mobility.


Engagement in the Political Process

Walmart supports our associates’ engagement in the political process, including by facilitating voting and providing opportunities to contribute to WALPAC, which supports the election of lawmakers who can help advance policy priorities critical to the interests of our customers, associates, suppliers, communities, and shareholders.


Associate Participation in the Electoral Process

Walmart joined and continues to support the efforts of Time to Vote, a business-led, non-partisan coalition aiming to increase voter participation in U.S. elections. We have encouraged our associates to vote, including by offering non-partisan voting resources and providing paid time off to vote, if needed. At appropriate times in the electoral cycle, including during the 2022 U.S. midterm elections, we provide digital communication directing customers and associates to resources—including information on requesting an absentee ballot, voter registration deadlines, and polling locations—that will help them stay informed and participate in elections.


Read More: Every Vote Counts


WALPAC

In the United States, campaign finance laws at the federal level and in many states govern the use of corporate funds in the election process. WALPAC is funded solely with voluntary contributions from eligible associates and provides associates an opportunity to join together and participate in the political process.


WALPAC Contributions: Through WALPAC, associate contributions help elect lawmakers on both sides of the aisle—at the federal level and in certain states—to enable support of Walmart’s policy priorities and to strengthen relationships. In the 2021-2022 election cycle, WALPAC’s federal donations were nearly evenly split, with 52% going to Republicans and 48% going to Democrats. WALPAC also made contributions to state-level candidates and committees in 22 states and the District of Columbia in 2022 (where it is permissible to use federal PAC dollars). Contributions to state and federal candidates and committees are made considering a wide range of criteria such as voting records, leadership positions, committee membership, and legislative activity. WALPAC’s campaign contributions to elected officials are not an endorsement of all their individual beliefs, voting records or comments, and WALPAC may examine candidates’ public statements, social media posts, and other communications when making contribution decisions.


Read More: WALPAC Contributions (FEC.gov)


WALPAC Governance: WALPAC’s activities are governed by the WALPAC Advisory Board, comprising Walmart Inc. officers and senior management. This Board sets the overall budget each calendar year, and reexamines and adjusts the overall WALPAC strategy at the close of each election cycle (every two years). WALPAC senior management determines how to disburse annual WALPAC funds in alignment with this strategy. In accordance with federal election regulations, a report of WALPAC receipts and contributions is disclosed to the Federal Election Commission on a monthly basis.


Working Through Business Organizations

In addition to direct advocacy and political engagement in areas consistent with our shared value approach, Walmart is also a member of certain trade associations and coalitions that the company believes can assist us in achieving our long-term strategic objectives. These organizations and coalitions allow us to work with other companies on policy issues that impact the retail sector and beyond.


Read More: Trade associations to which Walmart contributed funds of $25,000 or more in 2022


Walmart’s Approach to Engaging Trade Associations

Walmart supports trade associations for many reasons, including development and sharing of best practices, advocacy on behalf of industry interests, promotion of public policy, and/or general support for an association’s mission. Walmart’s engagement model depends on the role the trade association plays in helping Walmart achieve its strategic objectives, and may include varying levels of financial support, involvement on the board and/or with key committees, or targeted financial support for initiatives within a broader organization.


As Walmart transforms its business and trade associations reevaluate their priorities, misalignments between Walmart and the association may occur. Where they do, we directly engage the trade association to help it understand our priorities and positions. We also periodically reevaluate our memberships and engagement models to ensure overall alignment.


Engagement: We communicate our strategic priorities and perspective on matters of public policy where appropriate with our trade associations, policymakers and the public so that our positions are known. For example, we have shared our views on climate policy with key trade associations, the public and lawmakers (see above).


Membership and Financial Support Reviews: We periodically review our trade association memberships and determine whether adjustments are needed in our membership status or the financial support we provide to the organization. Where we generally support the organization’s priorities and the positions the organization has taken on major issues, we may maintain general membership in the organization while working to influence the organization’s direction as necessary. For example, we maintain general membership in the Business Roundtable and work to influence the organization as described elsewhere in this brief. In other instances, we may elect only to provide financial support for particular organizational initiatives. For example, we do not pay general membership dues to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce but financially support certain specific U.S. Chamber of Commerce initiatives including the Institute for Legal Reform, Rule of Law Coalition, Workforce Freedom Initiative, and international programs. If a relationship—on balance—does not align with our priorities, we would end ties with the organization altogether.


Below are examples of the larger and more active organizations in which we participate, and the ways in which they help to further our shared value objectives.


Retail Industry and General Business Associations

We are members of business groups that work on issues important to the advancement and growth of the retail sector and business at large, including:


Business Roundtable: Business Roundtable promotes the U.S. economy and expanded opportunities for Americans through sound public policies. In 2019, Business Roundtable released its Statement on the Purpose of a Corporation, which was signed by 181 CEOs, including Walmart CEO Doug McMillon, who served as Business Roundtable’s chair in 2020-2021. The Statement lays out a modern corporate responsibility standard by which companies operate for the benefit of all stakeholders, including customers, employees, suppliers, communities and shareholders. We work with Business Roundtable on workforce training and education policy efforts via their Multiple Pathways Initiatives. We have endorsed Business Roundtable’s call for a U.S. national climate policy solution to reduce U.S.-based emissions by at least 80% by 2050 through a market-based mechanism that includes a price on carbon. Walmart worked with Business Roundtable on its statement expressing support for the climate provisions in the Inflation Reduction Act and to craft a global statement on climate action that was endorsed by business groups in Canada, Mexico, the European Union and Australia. We also worked with Business Roundtable to reduce consumer impacts stemming from unilateral Chinese import tariffs.


Consumer Goods Forum (CGF): Comprising more than 400 retailers, manufacturers and service providers, CGF addresses key social and environmental challenges facing the industry, including forced labor, deforestation, health and wellness, food safety, food waste, plastic waste data transparency. Walmart is a CGF member and Walmart CEO Doug McMillon serves on its Board of Directors. Walmart is a member of the Forest Positive Coalition and the Tropical Forest Alliance collective action forum. Walmart also participates in the Coalition of Action on Plastic Waste which has released guidance on policy design principles to address problematic plastic packaging and principles for the optimal design of extended producer responsibility programs for managing plastic and packaging waste.


National Retail Federation (NRF): Representing large and small retailers with a variety of business models, NRF is the world’s largest retail trade association. In January 2022, Walmart U.S. President and CEO John Furner was elected chairman of the board of NRF. NRF works with the retail industry across a broad range of policy areas including taxes, workforce, and sustainability. In 2022, Walmart helped develop (alongside the NRF Sustainability Council — of which we are a member) "Retailers Reaching for Net-zero," a guide that makes the business case for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, provides a pathway for setting science-based greenhouse gas emission reduction targets, and provides an extensive resource list to assist retailers in reaching their own sustainability goals. Walmart is also a participating member of the NRF Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Working Group. The purpose of the group is to create opportunities for members to exchange ideas and best practices on issues that seek to enhance diversity in the retail corporate workplace. We are also members of NRF’s Strategic Supply Chain Council and their International Trade Advisory Committee, where we have advocated for tariff reform, extension of trade preference programs, and customs modernization.


Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA): The Retail Industry Leaders Association brings together the nation’s leading retailers to advance the industry through public policy advocacy, operational excellence and innovation. In April 2021, RILA released a set of climate priorities that summarized the member perspective and considerations on greenhouse gas emission reduction strategies and categories that closely intersect with industry operations and receive policy attention at the state and federal levels. Walmart provided insights to RILA to help develop this report and supported its release. In February 2022, RILA released its Retail Climate Action Blueprint, which provides guidance applicable to retail organizations’ climate action strategies. Walmart provided feedback on the Blueprint and was quoted in the press release announcing its release. We also work with RILA on trade policy as a member of their International Trade and Customs Committee and worked with them on passage of the INFORM Consumers Act to strengthen marketplace transparency.


International Business Organizations

We are members of coalitions that seek to facilitate commerce across borders, including:


Americas Business Dialogue: Americas Business Dialogue brings together companies from across the Western Hemisphere to develop, disseminate and support the implementation of policy recommendations that contribute to a business environment conducive to sustained economic growth. Walmart co-chairs the Transparency and Regulatory Cooperation Working Group, where we’ve played a leading role in designing and advocating for e-government reforms and building a cross-sector model for the implementation of these reforms.


Business 20 (B20): B20 is the official G20 dialogue forum with the global business community. Walmart co-chairs the B20 Digital Transformation Task Force, which crafts recommendations to the G20 heads of state on how to improve digital-economy inclusion. Walmart also sits on the Inclusive GVCs for Resilient Global Trade and Investment Task Force.


Business at OECD: Recognized as the voice of business at the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, Business at OECD brings together firms from across the world to build positions on OECD policy initiatives. Walmart is engaged in the Corporate Governance and Responsible Business Policy Group and is a vice chair of the Environment and Energy Policy Group.


Canadian American Business Council (CABC): CABC is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, issues-oriented organization dedicated to fostering dialogue between the public and private sectors in the United States and Canada. Walmart is currently represented on the CABC Board of Directors.


International Chamber of Commerce: The International Chamber of Commerce promotes international trade, responsible business conduct and a global approach to economic regulation. Walmart participates in the Trade Dialogues that leverage the voice of the business community at the World Trade Organization and the Commission on Corporate Responsibility and Anti-Corruption. Walmart is a Vice Chair of the Commission on Environment and Energy and Chair of the working group on the Plastics Treaty.


Global Alliance for Trade Facilitation: The Global Alliance is a public-private partnership that works to identify and deliver commercially meaningful reforms to facilitate international trade. Walmart serves on the Alliance’s steering committee.


US-China Business Council (USCBC): USCBC is a nonpartisan, non-profit comprised of over 280 American companies doing business in China. Since 1973, USCBC has worked to expand the US-China commercial relationship to the benefit of its membership and, more broadly, the U.S. economy. Its mission is to eliminate trade and investment barriers and develop a rules-based commercial environment that is predictable and transparent. Walmart’s President and CEO Doug McMillon currently sits on the USCBC Board of Directors.


US-India Business Council (USIBC): USIBC is part of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and aims to create an inclusive bilateral trade environment between India and the United States by serving as the voice of industry, linking governments to businesses, and supporting long-term commercial partnerships that will nurture the spirit of entrepreneurship, create jobs, and successfully contribute to the global economy. Walmart International’s President and CEO Judith McKenna currently sits on the USIBC Board of Directors.


World Economic Forum (WEF): Walmart is a member of WEF’s Global Future Council on Trade and Investment, where we advise leaders on the role of trade and investment in creating sustainable, resilient and equitable companies, economies and societies. We are also part of WEF’s Tropical Forest Alliance, and sit on the steering committee for WEF’s Climate Trade Zero initiative.


Sustainability Focused Coalitions

To shape a public policy environment supportive of our climate, nature, and waste aspirations, we engage with several coalitions, including:


Business for Nature (BFN): We are members of BFN, a global coalition that brings together business and conservation organizations to call for governments to adopt policies to reverse nature loss in this decade. Walmart is a participant of the Strategic Advisory Group (SAG) which provides input on direction and focus areas and helps BFN aggregate action across nature, climate, development, and food system agendas.


Clean Energy Buyers Association (CEBA): Walmart currently sits on the board and is a long-time member of CEBA (formerly the Renewable Energy Buyers Alliance), a collaboration of clean energy buyers, energy providers and service providers that, together with NGO partners, seek a transition to a zero-carbon energy future. The group advocates for policies such as wholesale energy market expansion, flexible financing for renewables, retail access and a federal carbon-free green grid. We advised and endorsed CEBA’s statement on the Inflation Reduction Act, which emphasized market and policy-based measures to decarbonize the grid.


Midwest Row Crop Collaborative: We are a member of the Midwest Row Crop Collaborative, which develops solutions for removing barriers to widespread adoption of regenerative agricultural practices. The collaboration promotes policies that maintain economic and environmental viability for all in the value chain. The group also endorsed the bipartisan Growing Climate Solutions Act, which reflects a valuable strategy for increasing carbon sequestration opportunities in the agricultural supply chain. The Act became federal law in December 2022 with the passage of the FY2023 Omnibus Appropriations Bill.


Ellen MacArthur Foundation and U.S. Plastics Pact: The Ellen MacArthur Foundation works to build a positive future circular economy. Walmart is a partner on the organization’s New Plastics Economy Global CommitmentThe Pact is a coalition of businesses, government entities, non-governmental organizations, researchers and other stakeholders who work collectively toward a common vision of a circular economy for plastics, including by advocating for policy regimes to enable achieving 100% reusable/recyclable/compostable packaging by 2025.


We Are Still In: We are a signatory to the We Are Still In coalition, which demonstrates our long-standing commitment to the Paris Climate Agreement. In line with this, we signed the We Mean Business/Ceres letter that supports a U.S. goal to cut emissions by at least 50% by 2030 and achieve net zero emissions by 2050.

Read more: Climate Change and Regeneration of Natural Resources: Forests, Land, Oceans.

Challenges

  • Walmart is a complex, growing business operating across multiple sectors to bring essential products and services to people who need them. There are dozens of public policy issues that bear on our ability to deliver on our mission and it can be challenging to optimize outcomes across all issues.
  • The public expects a company's political engagement to align with its values. At the same time, there can be pressure to weigh in on issues that are not core to our business or critical to a majority of our stakeholders. We have decision-making processes to determine whether and how to speak up, but we may not always meet all stakeholders’ expectations.
  • The political process is subject to many factors. Walmart is one actor and may not be able to influence public policy or its trade associations. And Walmart is often in the position of supporting certain aspects of legislation or regulation while opposing other aspects. Stakeholders may not fully appreciate or recognize these nuances.
  • Walmart may not agree with every position or lobbying action taken by trade associations to which we belong. We work to influence these associations, particularly in our priority areas, but ultimately, they set their own agendas. As discussed above, we have processes to determine how to handle such misalignment, but we may not always meet all stakeholders’ expectations.


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