Sainsbury’s claims retail sector sustainability award

The FTSE4Good Index has placed Sainsbury's at the top of their sustainability table for the retail sector, giving the supermarket chain a score of 4.4 out of five, against a global sector average of 2.43.


The index, which evaluates participating businesses globally against social, environmental and governance practices, gave the retailer a score of five for its work on climate change.

Sainsbury’s head of corporate responsibility Stuart Wright, commented: “Last year we set out ambitious sustainability commitments in our 20 by 20 Sustainability Plan. This accolade is a great endorsement of the progress we’re already making.”

Sainsbury’s published its 20 by 20 Sustainability Plan in October 2011, unveiling 20 targets to be achieved by 2020.

Current initiatives include using carbon-saving technologies for new and existing stores to drive down energy usage. If fully successful, this will result in operational carbon emissions being cut by 65% by 2020, compared with 2005. There is also an increased focus on providing customers with more British food with the company seeking to double the amount it currently sells.

In addition, the supermarket says it is committed to working with ‘own brand’ suppliers to help them reduce carbon emissions by 50% by 2020.

To this end, Sainsbury’s has already developed a carbon footprinting tool designed specifically for farmers, helping them to reduce their energy costs and their carbon footprint by 10% a year. The retailer is also seeking to help customers to reduce their environmental footprint.

Edie staff

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