Part of being a responsible business means focusing on our energy use and defending the environment. We work with colleagues, members and customers to achieve our goals in a number of ways.
Carbon Emissions
We are always looking for ways to reduce our carbon emissions and it is essential for us to monitor the impact our business is having on the environment. We’ve reduced the emissions arising from our business operations by 0.3 tonnes over the last few years and procure 100% green electricity.
Renewable energy
As a business we have already implemented solar power technology, and are currently running studies into the viability of wind and hydro power to generate electricity for our business.
Waste and Recycling
We currently recycle over 30% of our total waste. We also run a colleague volunteering programme in local schools called Peter the Co-operative Penguin, which educates children on the importance of reducing, reusing and recycling waste.
Colleague Engagement
We have an Energy and Environment Steering Group in place made up of colleagues across the business, with Board and member involvement. We also have a team of 64 colleague Energy Champions in place across our trading sites to reduce our business energy consumption and increase recycling.
In order to measure our colleague engagement we carryout an annual colleague survey, and as part of this we monitor colleague awareness of reducing energy. We have a target of improving this colleague awareness figure year on year.
Environmental Community Links and Campaigning
Our members have told us that they’re interested in campaigning and lobbying to create real change. We have therefore launched a number of our own campaigns this year and encouraged members to get involved with national lobbying opportunities.
Take a look at our experience at the Wave March in December 2009 in London