Greenhouse gas emission reduction targets, 100 per cent renewable energy and zero GHG emissions by 2050 headline Coles Group’s latest sustainability strategy ‘Together to Zero’. Its ultimate goal is zero emissions, waste and hunger.
Coles’ climate change position statement says it will reduce Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions by more than 75 per cent by the end of FY30 off a FY20 baseline and ultimately deliver net zero GHG emissions by 2050.
Coles Group CEO Steven Cain said it was an important step in the company’s mission to drive generational sustainability. “Together to Zero underlines our commitment to work with all stakeholders towards net zero GHG emissions,” Cain said.
Its 100 per cent renewable energy pledge follows an agreement with Lal Lal Wind Farms near Ballarat, Victoria. The company will purchase enough large-scale generation certificates to increase its renewable electricity to 45 per cent of total consumption by FY23.
From July 2022, Coles more than 90 per cent of its Queensland electricity requirements will come from renewable sources.
Cain said: “With over 2500 stores and support centres across Australia, more than 118,000 team members and an average of 21 million customer transactions each week, Coles Group is Australia’s 12th largest user of electricity.
“We have already reduced Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 36.5% since 2009, and with these new targets we have an opportunity to play a leading role in driving climate action.
“Our new targets for Scope 1 and 2 emissions commit us to an accelerated reduction in greenhouse gas emissions that exceed the climate change ambitions of the Paris Agreement.”
Coles this week announced a partnership on a joint feasibility study to determine the technical, economic, and environmental benefits of a local advanced recycling industry in Victoria. This new collaboration marks the first steps into a circular economy for soft plastic packaging.
The Together to Zero logo was designed by Bundjalung/ Biripi Artist Nikita Ridgeway of Boss Lady Design and Communication, the logo has been designed to reflect the notion of community.
“Coles is the largest private sector employer of Indigenous Australians so it’s meaningful that the logo has been designed to foster conversations between the Indigenous community and the broader Australian community, as part of Coles’ ongoing mission to encourage non-Indigenous Australians to learn more about Aboriginal Culture and People,” Nikita said.
The announcements were made at the opening of its latest sustainability concept store at Moonee Ponds, Victoria.
