Universe and Starbucks China redefine green retail from store to supplier

July 30, 2025 | Beverages

Starbucks is not only making its stores greener, but also more intelligent Univers, the global AI for Energy leader, and Starbucks China have unveiled a technological partnership to accelerate sustainability across Starbucks’…

Starbucks is not only making its stores greener, but also more intelligent

Univers, the global AI for Energy leader, and Starbucks China have unveiled a technological partnership to accelerate sustainability across Starbucks’ China value chain.

Through the deployment of Univers’ advanced AI and Internet of Things (IoT) decarbonization solutions, the collaboration will enable Starbucks to digitally monitor, measure and actively reduce Scope 3 emissions across its supplier network.

This visibility will allow Starbucks to drive actionable emissions reductions, support its suppliers in their low-carbon transitions, and strengthen compliance with evolving climate regulations.

Starbucks is not only making its stores greener, but also more intelligent. More than 7,500 Starbucks stores are now connected to a new AI and IoT platform jointly developed by Univers and Starbucks. This will enable real-time and remote monitoring of over 8 types of equipment per store, including HVAC, lighting, and water filtration, optimising energy use with AI-driven insights and enhancing partner and customer experience.

Leveraging Univers’ EnOSTM Ark Carbon Management System, Univers and Starbucks will develop a Supply Chain Carbon Management Platform used to track carbon emissions across core suppliers and products—including but not limited to milk, beverages, food, and packaging.

Milk, the single largest carbon emitter in Starbucks’ value chain, is a major contributor to Scope 3 emissions. As a response, the companies developed a Sustainable Dairy Digital Management Tool to enable comprehensive carbon baseline tracking, decarbonization planning, and implementation of pilot farm solutions.

By embedding Univers’ EnOSTM Ark Carbon Management platform into its broader sustainability strategy, Starbucks is taking a major step toward future proofing its energy transition journey – combining technology, data and cross-sector collaboration to set new standards for decarbonization in the food and beverage retail industry.

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