Planet

We have a responsibility, and an opportunity, to do our part to ensure we have a positive impact on the planet for future generations.

Helping to protect the planet isn’t just important to us. Our customers and communities are demanding change and looking to us to lead the way.

As a Group, we use around 1% of Australia’s electricity. We have made significant progress in becoming more energy efficient, but now we want to ensure all the energy that we use is green. By 2025 we will power our business with 100% renewable electricity.

Our electricity use is the biggest contributor to our greenhouse gas emissions. Climate change impacts are already apparent in shifting weather patterns and extreme weather events. Global science tells us that we need to limit global warming to 1.5°ree;C to avoid the worst of these effects, and we have aligned our goal to decarbonise our business to this aim. But we want to go further than that. By 2050 we want to become a net positive business, supporting future generations by giving back more than we use.

The earth’s population is projected to reach over 9 billion by 2050, which could require a 70% increase in food production. However, land suitable for farming is shrinking by 5 million hectares every year due to environmental change, and water is increasingly scarce. We will work with our farmers, suppliers and the broader agricultural industry to encourage regenerative farming practices to help preserve soils and improve water efficiency.

With this growth in population, it is becoming increasingly important to make sure that food goes to people in need and is not wasted. With the help of partners like OzHarvest, Foodbank and FareShare, we already donate the equivalent of 18 million meals every year to feed Australians and New Zealanders in need. We also contribute to animal feeding programs. However, we want to do more. We are making changes throughout all parts of the value chain to prevent food being wasted, with the goal of having zero food waste to landfill by 2025.

Guided by our principle of having a positive impact on the planet, we are focusing on the future and understanding the effect of our actions today, so we can not only start to reverse detrimental impacts but help ensure a better tomorrow.

Goal 1: 100% Green electricity by 2025

By 2025, we will source 100% renewable electricity to power our business.

Goal 2: Zero food waste to landfill by 2025

By 2025, we will have zero food waste going to landfill from our operations. With the help of our partners, we aim to redistribute 100% of edible unsold food so it can be consumed.

Goal 3: Net positive carbon emissions by 2050

By 2030, in line with climate science, we aim to reduce emissions from our operations by 63% compared to a 2015 baseline. By 2030, in line with climate science, we aim to reduce our scope 3 emissions by 19% compared to a 2015 baseline. By 2050, in line with climate science, we aim to reach net positive emissions for our operations. All new property developments will achieve a 4 Green Star design and as-built rating, and by 2025 we aim to have a 5 Green Star minimum standard.

Goal 4: Practise responsible stewardship of natural resources

By 2022, in collaboration with our farmers, suppliers and other partners, we will carry out and publish a review of the potential for adopting sustainable and regenerative agriculture practices across our fresh food supply chain aimed at improving areas such as soil health and water efficiency in high-risk areas and will provide an annual update on our actions to implement. We will improve the water efficiency of our operations. We have installed smart meters in some of our stores to help us understand our current water use, and in 2021 will publish this, along with our reduction targets and action plan to achieve them. We will further develop our plan to incorporate how we can play an active role in improving water efficiency across our supply chain. New Zealand: We will install smart meters by 2022 and will publish the targets and action plan in 2023.