Starbucks China launches new tech initiative to cut emissions, boost sustainability

It will now have digital oversight of emissions across its value chain.

Starbucks China has partnered with energy solutions Univers to cut carbon emissions and improve sustainability across its operations and supply chain.

The partnership uses Univers’ AI and IoT tools to track and reduce Scope 3 emissions—those from suppliers.

Starbucks will now have digital oversight of emissions across its value chain, helping it push for measurable reductions, support supplier decarbonisation, and meet evolving climate regulations.

Over 7,500 Starbucks stores in China are now connected to an AI-powered IoT platform developed with Univers.

The system monitors store equipment such as HVAC, lighting, and water filtration in real time, using AI to optimise energy use and improve operational efficiency.

Starbucks and Univers are building a Supply Chain Carbon Management Platform using Univers’ EnOS™ Ark system. It will track emissions tied to products like milk, beverages, food, and packaging.

Milk, Starbucks’ largest source of supply chain emissions, is a key focus. A new Sustainable Dairy Digital Management Tool helps track milk-related emissions, plan decarbonisation, and run pilot programs with farms.

Starbucks is also deploying Univers’ “One-Box” edge computing device to power local store systems and manage energy use more efficiently across five application areas, from point-of-sale to smart controls.