We recognize that companies can and must play a significant role in helping mitigate the impacts of climate change.

To support global efforts to mitigate climate change, we previously set a near-term target to reduce our Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions per square foot by 30 percent by 2025 (against a 2017 baseline). We are proud to share that, as of the end of 2024, we have surpassed that target with an emissions intensity reduction of 31 percent.

This is a significant milestone in Ross’ sustainability journey, reflecting the dedication of our teams and the power of focused, collective action. It is a meaningful step, and we plan to build on our momentum.

To support our long-term sustainability ambitions, we have announced emissions reduction efforts that align with the guidelines set forth in the United Nations’ Paris Agreement and the pathway to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. In 2021, we announced our ambition to be at net- zero emissions by 2050 or sooner. In 2022, we followed that with a science-aligned interim target to reduce our absolute Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 42 percent by 2030 (against a 2021 baseline). We continue to evaluate Ross’ opportunities to reduce carbon emissions from our own operations as well as our indirect Scope 3 emissions.

In 2024, we demonstrated our commitment to transparency by submitting the CDP Climate Change Questionnaire, receiving a B score on our submission for the fifth consecutive year. We plan to respond to CDP again in 2025, and our response will include our 2024 GHG inventory and assessments of our climate-related risks, opportunities, strategies, and management.

Climate-Related Risks

Ross continues to evaluate the risks and opportunities associated with climate change. Wildfires and other extreme weather events remain a serious threat to our Stores and operations across the United States and in Guam, and they have become more frequent and severe due to climate change. These direct physical risks— alongside other operational and transition risks impacting both our business and global supply chain—are expected to intensify as global temperatures rise.

To better understand how climate change may affect our business in the years ahead, we initiated a qualitative scenario analysis aligned with the Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures (TCFD). For more information on our response to climate-related risks, please see our 2024 CDP response.

Overview of GHG Emissions

Ross completes a yearly GHG accounting of our Scope 1 and 2 impacts and certain Scope 3 categories.

We conducted our 2024 GHG inventory in accordance with industry standards, including guidelines from the Greenhouse Gas Protocol, The Climate Registry, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Center for Corporate Climate Leadership. Our reported 2024 GHG Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions were also verified by a third party to assure accuracy.

GHG emissions are typically reported in terms of metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (MT CO2e). The intensity of our Scope 1 and 2 emissions per total square foot decreased by approximately 31 percent between 2017 and 2024.

We continue to evaluate our Scope 3 emissions sources and have completed a high-level screening of Scope 3 emissions to understand which categories are relevant to our business.

Measurement of Scope 3 emissions is an evolving and complex undertaking that is particularly challenging for off-price retailers like Ross because of the nature of our business model with its highly variable and flexible purchasing strategy. We remain committed to maintaining a disciplined approach and to developing appropriate data collection and analysis processes and controls for accurate and reliable Scope 3 measurements and disclosures. To this end, we are actively monitoring and preparing for emerging Scope 3-related disclosure requirements from multiple states and agencies, and we will share select Scope 3 category measurements when we determine it is appropriate.

Additional details of our GHG emissions are located in the Appendix of the 2024 Corporate Social Responsibility Report.

Observed GHG Emissions and Target Progress

Energy Details

We are committed to decreasing our energy intensity year over year while expanding our use of renewable energy—minimizing both our environmental impact and associated costs.

In 2024, the electricity purchased to operate our facilities represented 85 percent of our total energy consumption, as measured in megawatt hours (MWh) and gigajoules (GJ). Most of the electricity Ross purchased was used to operate our Ross Dress for Less and dd’s DISCOUNTS Stores.

Please see the table located in the Appendix of the 2024 Corporate Social Responsibility Report for additional details on our multi-year energy usage.

Energy Efficiency

Electricity use makes up a significant portion of Ross’ energy consumption and operational emissions; thus, managing electricity usage in our buildings is a key aspect of our GHG reduction strategy. Through targeted investments in lighting, insulation, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC), and building energy management systems, we have been able to significantly reduce our electricity consumption. Since 2017, we have decreased the electricity used per square foot across our Stores, distribution facilities, and offices by over 20 percent. Teams across the Company continue to explore ways to improve energy efficiency through enhanced processes and emerging technologies. We are also piloting energy audits at select sites to uncover new energy optimization opportunities.

Total Electricity Usage by Location

Supporting Electrical Grid Stability

Ross participates in demand response programs to help support local electrical grids. Through these programs, we voluntarily reduce our energy usage during peak demand periods, alleviating strain on the grid and helping prevent blackouts or brownouts. Across our Stores, integrated energy management systems adjust the HVAC systems to reduce electricity usage, keeping the lights on for our Customers and supporting the reliability of the local electrical grid. In 2024, nearly 800 Ross Stores participated in demand response programs; we aim to expand our participation to more locations in the future.

Renewable Energy

While we continue efforts to reduce energy use and improve efficiency in our operations, we recognize that achieving our Scope 1 and 2 targets will also require transitioning to low-carbon or renewable energy sources. Ross is actively exploring strategies, partnerships, and opportunities to pursue renewable energy, both on-site and off-site.

The majority of our Stores are leased, which limits Ross’ ability to invest in on-site renewable energy generation. However, we have solar panels installed on the roof of select Stores and are actively pursuing installation of solar panels at additional locations in partnership with certain landlords and solar providers. At our new Arizona Distribution Center, which opened in 2025, we have installed solar parking canopies to generate on-site electricity, and we are assessing additional opportunities for on-site renewable energy generation at other distribution facilities. In addition, we continue to evaluate opportunities to purchase renewable energy from our utility providers when it makes sense.

Energy Efficiency: Stores

For many years, we have invested in technologies to reduce the energy required to power our climate control and lighting systems, which represent the largest share of electricity purchased to operate our Stores.

Technologies such as LED lighting and high-efficiency HVAC units have played a key role in lowering our demand for purchased electricity. We installed LED lighting in our Stores and plan to equip new Stores with LED lighting systems as well. Where feasible, we also install high-efficiency HVAC units, either by retrofitting existing equipment or installing high-efficiency units during new Store builds.

To further reduce the energy use from climate control and lighting systems, we leverage an advanced building energy management platform. This system helps minimize unnecessary electricity use and enables more precise control over our energy consumption. This platform allows us to quickly and easily adjust occupancy schedules, lighting levels, and temperatures across our Stores, providing both operational benefits and energy savings. It also supports remote diagnosis of HVAC issues, enabling our staff to swiftly identify and resolve inefficiencies, and minimizing unnecessary downtime and costly technician visits to our Stores. In critical moments, such as during heatwaves, we can quickly lower our electricity usage to help electric utilities avoid rolling blackouts. From 2019 through the end of 2024, we estimate this system has helped us reduce energy usage at our Stores by more than 100 million kilowatt hours.

Energy efficiency is also a priority when designing our new Stores, understanding that investments made during the earliest stage of Store development yield long-term benefits. In addition to LED lighting, high- efficiency HVAC equipment, and advanced energy management systems, some of our locations use white roofs to deflect heat and use insulation that exceeds code requirements. These choices result in more efficient Stores that lower our energy usage, environmental impact, and operational costs. As we continue to grow, efficient new Store design will remain a critical tactic for limiting Ross’ environmental footprint.

Energy Efficiency: Distribution Centers

On average, Ross’ distribution and warehouse facilities use less energy per square foot to operate than Stores and represent a smaller portion of our electricity consumption.

• We utilize an “air purging” program at select locations to cool our facilities by circulating cool evening air. During the day, the sun heats up our buildings. At night when temperatures drop, we purge the hot air and welcome in naturally colder air. This decreases our reliance on air conditioning and related energy costs, and reduces our electricity demand during peak daytime hours, taking pressure off the electrical grid.
• Our conveyor systems are highly efficient, using variable frequency drives, sensors, and automation that shut off equipment when not in demand.
• The LED projects we completed in 2024 are anticipated to reduce annual energy use by 13 million kilowatt hours. We currently use LED lighting in most of our supply chain buildings and are in the process of replacing any non-LED lights still in use.
• We have installed sensors that shut off lights when areas of a facility are not in use, and many of our facilities have skylights to take advantage of natural light.
• The forklifts and material-handling equipment we use to move merchandise within many of our distribution facilities are battery-powered. Battery-operated equipment is, in general, more energy efficient and costs less to own and operate compared to fuel-powered equipment.
• We designed our new distribution centers with energy efficiency in mind, installing white roofs to reflect sunlight and implementing advanced building energy management systems. Some of our roofs are also solar ready.
• Our new Arizona Distribution Center, which opened in 2025, features solar parking canopies that will generate clean power for the building while also providing shade for our Associate parking lot.
• We continue to assess the feasibility of installing solar panels at our existing and future distribution facilities.
• We performed energy audits at select distribution centers and identified additional opportunities to optimize energy use.

All of these initiatives and improvements to our distribution centers help reduce air pollution, limit GHG emissions, and lower our operating costs.

Energy Efficiency: Offices, Employee Commuting, and Travel

Our Corporate Headquarters in Dublin, California, has earned Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. This certification recognizes the design of the campus as a successful balance of environmental sustainability and workplace comfort for our Associates.

The sustainability features of our headquarters include high-efficiency HVAC equipment, Energy Star appliances, and lighting equipped with motion sensors and daylight controls. Both our interior and exterior lighting use energy-efficient LED technology. In addition, our headquarters was powered 100% by renewable energy in 2024 through an agreement with our electricity provider.

To support lower-emission transportation, our headquarters provide on-site electric vehicle charging stations, bicycle storage, and changing facilities for our Associates. To encourage greener travel options, we also located the campus close to public transportation and offer a pre-tax employee benefit to help our Associates pay for public transportation.

When feasible, we support lower-carbon travel options for the field leadership organization, which supports our Stores across the country. Because our field leaders regularly drive to visit and provide guidance to Stores in their geographic area, we maintain a fleet of primarily hybrid vehicles to help lower the GHG impact of these trips. We estimate that maintaining this fleet dropped potential fuel usage by nearly 20 percent in 2024 versus using traditional vehicles.

Energy Efficiency: Product Transportation

Ross does not own the trucks, trains, and ocean vessels that transport our products. However, we are conscious of the fact that transporting our products is a significant source of indirect emissions.

To reduce the impact of these emissions, we work closely with our transportation providers to improve shipping efficiency across our distribution network as we grow our business and Store base.

Some of the strategies we deployed in 2024 include:

• Consolidating merchandise shipments whenever possible to reduce the number of trips to Stores each day.
• Shipping by rail whenever feasible, generating less pollution than standard ground transportation. Approximately 30 percent of the merchandise shipped from our distribution centers was sent via rail in 2024.
• Having participation of approximately 88 percent of our transportation partners in the SmartWay Partnership, a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency program that improves fuel efficiency and reduces air pollution.
• Maximizing the capacity of each trailer through floor loading and removal of unnecessary packaging, leading to fewer shipments.
• Completing route optimization, which eliminated 900,000 over-the-road miles from Store deliveries in 2024. We have processes in place to review route optimization opportunities quarterly as we grow.
• Utilizing electric yard vehicles at select distribution centers to replace vehicles with internal combustion engines, and investigating opportunities to integrate additional electric vehicles into our operations moving forward.
• Working with international transportation partners to optimize loading of containers shipped on ocean vessels. This lowered the number of containers needed to ship our products from overseas, thus reducing the total number of shipments and emissions.