We understand our responsibility to minimise our environmental footprint and to show leadership in protecting our planet and climate. We are committed to addressing the impacts of climate change and reducing greenhouse gas emissions by responsibly accelerating the decarbonisation of our operations and direct supply chains. We have a commitment to be powered by 100% renewable electricity by end of June 2025. Read on about our policies and initiatives in regards to climate change, renewable electricity and environmental stores.
Together to Zero Emissions
Climate change
Coles’ vision is to become the most trusted retailer in Australia and grow long-term shareholder value, and our purpose is to sustainably feed all Australians to help them lead healthier, happier lives. Responding to the challenges presented by climate change is essential to fulfilling our purpose.
Fires, floods and other extreme weather events all have the potential to affect our customers, our suppliers and our own operations. As one of Australia’s largest companies, we understand our responsibility to minimise our environmental footprint, as well as mitigate the environmental and social impacts of climate change.
In March 2021, Coles Group announced the following commitments:
- To deliver net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050;
- For the entire Coles Group to be powered by 100% renewable electricity by the end of June 2025, building on the progress already made towards this target through renewable power purchase agreements, onsite solar and agreements with renewable electricity generators; and
- To reduce combined Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions by more than 75% by the end of FY30 (from a FY20 baseline).
Reducing our own greenhouse emissions is a key part of our climate change response. We will continue to invest in initiatives across renewable electricity, energy efficiency and alternative refrigerants.
We will continue building the resilience of our business, and supporting the community, against climate impacts. Whether it’s getting stock through floods or working with emergency services and food rescue organisations to support communities devastated by bushfire.
Renewable electricity
In March 2021, Coles Group committed to being powered by 100% renewable electricity by the end of June 2025.
Coles was the first major Australian retailer to commit to buying renewable electricity through a power purchase agreement in 2019. Since then, Coles has signed four additional major agreements. Coles has now committed to purchasing more than 70% of the renewable electricity required to meet its June 2025 target, once the agreements commence.
We're also installing solar power at many of our supermarkets. This helps reduce the stores’ environmental footprint and keep energy costs down. Installing solar power is part of Coles’ commitment to increase the amount of electricity we source from renewables.
Environmental stores
We're reducing the environmental footprint of our stores.
To help cut back on energy used in refrigeration, we have installed night blinds on open refrigeration cases and have LED lighting in all supermarkets.
Where practicable, we are introducing other technologies to improve the energy efficiency of refrigeration systems:
- Coles’ refrigeration management program includes increasing the use of natural refrigerant gases, which have close to no global warming potential (GWP) compared to older synthetic refrigerant gases.
- We are continuing with our refrigeration pipe replacement program and increasing investment in leak-detection technology, further reducing gas loss.
- We are introducing doors on refrigeration units to help reduce energy consumption.
