Co-op commits to cut greenhouse gas emissions in half by 2025

The Co-op has committed to halve its greenhouse gas emissions by 2025.

The move was backed by Co-op members at its AGM in May. They voted overwhelmingly in favour of accelerating actions to tackle the environmental crisis.

The Co-op plans to achieve this target by making several operational changes, including the use of natural refrigerants, and minimising the environmental impact of its products through responsible sourcing, such as its commitments to sustainable soy.

The retailer reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 20% in 2018.

All Co-op stores, offices and funeral homes already use 100% renewable electricity.

“How we do business really matters,” said Co-op retail chief commercial officer Michael Fletcher. “The world is experiencing a climate crisis and we need to work together to avoid it. Accelerating action is the only way to mitigate and reduce impacts on our natural world, and to ensure stable food supply chains in the future. A rolling set of publicly available and reviewed stretching short-term targets are imperative if we are to hold ourselves to account to achieve our collective longer-term ambitions. Making sure that we have a natural environment we are proud to pass on to future generations needs action to be taken now.”