The Prince's Mayday Network

Environmental Policies

Introduction

The Co-operative Group’s environmental priorities are climate change, waste, biodiversity and persistent bioaccumulative and toxic chemicals.

Process

What and How:

The Group aims to: reduce environmental impacts of its operations, products and services; maintain a positive brand that attracts and retains loyal customers and employees, and; be profitable through cost reductions through the efficient use of resources and opening up new markets. The Group’s environmental principles are endorsed via its member-controlled Values and Principles Committee and its Environmental Advisory Committee. Additionally, customer mandate has been gained through the Ethical Policy consultations of its Bank, Insurance and Food businesses and the Group is a market leader in sustainability reporting.

Impact

12% reduction in energy use since 2006 while maintaining98% of electricity sourced from renewables

A like-for-like reduction of 29% waste to landfill since 2006 and target to reduce own-brand packaging by15% in weight by 2010 will be reached in 2009