CARBON MANAGEMENT PROGRAMME

  • Woolworths is committed to engaging with our national government and civil society organisations to develop policies and measures that will provide an enabling framework for the business sector to contribute effectively to building a low-carbon economy.
  • Woolworths supports long-term regulatory action around the setting of clear medium and long-term emission reduction targets, as well as adopting goals and incentives for renewable energy production.
  • We will engage with our suppliers, staff and customers to create an understanding of the risks and opportunities of climate impacts.
  • Woolworths has conducted awareness programmes, campaigns and presentations at stores for the last 25 years to educate staff about efficient use of energy, and a new programme was launched in early 2010, with a new energy-saving mascot – Sparky.
  • Woolworths’ carbon footprint has been completed and verified by external experts.
  • Woolworths is committed to reducing its relative carbon footprint by 30% by 2012 (benchmark April 2007).
  • Woolworths will continue to assess the viability of procuring energy from clean sources.

Products and services – empowering our customers

  • Mobilising our customers to make low-carbon choices in their lifestyles is the most ambitious part of our overall carbon strategy.
  • We promote 30ºC washing temperatures for clothing and sell a range of detergents that allows for washing at low temperatures. This is an important step because around 75% of the carbon footprint of clothing can result from washing, drying and ironing.

Woolworths memberships and awards

  • Woolworths signed the Energy Efficiency Accord with the Minister of Minerals and Energy in 2006 and is working towards achieving the National Energy Efficiency Strategy targets;
  • Woolworths was chosen as the winner of the retail category in the South African Carbon Leadership Awards 2010
  • Woolworths was ranked second overall in the Carbon Disclosure Leadership index as part of the 2009 Carbon Disclosure Project for South Africa. (We were ranked first in the low-carbon category in 2008.)