Woolworths sustainability Plan reduce carbon emissions retailers welcome the news

Woolworths, one of Australia’s most popular supermarket chains, has announced that it will commit to source 100% of its electricity from wind and solar by 2025.

Peak retail body, the National Retail Association (NRA), has applauded Woolworths Group for its 2025 Sustainability Plan released yesterday which sets ground-breaking targets encompassing people, planet and products.

David Stout, Director of Policy, congratulated Woolworths on its leadership and commitment to the ambitious plan.

“Woolworths Group has already reduced its carbon emissions by 24 per cent from 2015 levels through initiatives to improve energy efficiency,” Mr Stout said.

“These emissions targets make it a leader in the Australia’s retail sector, with the company pledging to cut emissions by 63% by 2030 and to be net carbon positive by 2050, meaning it will remove more carbon from the atmosphere than it produces,” Mr Stout said.

Mr Stout noted that Woolworths’ Plan also goes well beyond emissions targets, addressing a wide range of sustainability initiatives which will have long-lasting impacts for generations to come.

“In particular, Woolworths’ commitment to eliminating food waste going to landfill will go along way to redistributing food through food relief organisations and tackling Australia’s food waste problem,” he said.

“They have also committed to ensuring all new developments are 5 Green Star rated, and committing to net zero supply chain deforestation for high-impact products such as palm oil and pulp by 2025.

“They will also surpass the National Packaging Targets with 100 per cent of Woolworths’ own brand packaging to be recyclable, reusable or compostable by 2023.

“These ambitious and challenging targets will prove difficult to roll out and show enormous initiative on behalf of Woolworths.

“The NRA commends Woolworths for hearing the concerns of consumers and stakeholders, and for going above and beyond to build a better future for Australian committees.”

The Woolworths Sustainability Plan 2025 can be found here.

 


Many areas of sustainability currently affect retailers, and the National Retail Association is actively engaged in numerous projects and regulatory consultation. Find out more about our work in this area.

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The NRA are keen to hear from retailers going above and beyond the law to make a positive impact. Contact the Policy Team at policy@nra.net.au

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