Woolworths is the latest business in Australia to commit to power all of its operations through renewable energy by 2025, the business announced this week.
At the supermarket group’s AGM, held on Thursday, CEO Brad Banducci said Australians want their businesses and brands to lead the way to a carbon neutral tomorrow.
“As Australia and New Zealand’s largest retailer, we care deeply about our impact on people and the planet and we want to go further than just reducing negative impacts – we want to create good,” Banducci said.
“Our sustainability plan is ambitious but we have a responsibility to get this right, because our customers and team increasingly want to be healthier, they want to be less wasteful, and they want to cut down on the plastic packaging that pollutes our oceans.”
The business’ sustainability plan outlines Woolies’ desire to use 100 per cent green electricity by 2025, deliver zero food waste to landfill by 2025, and to become a net positive carbon emitter by 2050.
Additionally, the supermarket will look to ensure 100 per cent of its own brand packaging is sustainable, as well as the sourcing of ingredients, while increasing healthy choices for customers and “lead the future of protein” – which will likely involve bringing in more meatless substitutes.
The commitments build on Woolworths’ sustainable practices that have developed over the last few years, which have so far delivered an 18 per cent reduction in carbon emissions on 2015 levels.
