Woolworths recognises that climate change is a major issue that affects the retail sector both directly through the operations we run and indirectly through our supply chains and the use of our products and services by customers. Climate change poses both risks and opportunities to all parts of the business sector and Woolworths believes in playing its part in increasing energy efficiency and reducing carbon emissions to the atmosphere as one of the four pillars of the Good business journey.

progressing climate change policy within our sphere of influence

• 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 provide education and awareness to our staff on climate change issues.
• We will engage with our suppliers and customers to create an understanding of the risks and opportunities of climate impacts.

Woolworths carbon management programme and commitments

• 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 of 273 010 tons in April 2007).
• Woolworths commitments to carbon output reduction include:
  • reduce relative transport emissions by 20%;
  • reduce relative electricity usage by 30%;
  • open a trial green store; – source food regionally wherever possible, reducing reliance on long-distance road transport;
  • restrict airfreight of our food products;
  • help set up model ‘green’ factories with selected suppliers and work closely with suppliers to reduce their carbon footprint; and
  • work with soil scientists to regularly monitor our farmers’ soil sustainability, increasing its CO2 absorption abilities.
• 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 30 °C washing temperatures for clothing. This is an important step because around 75% of the carbon footprint of clothing can result from washing, drying and ironing.

Woolworths progress, memberships and commitments

Woolworths makes every effort to play its part in addressing climate change:

• 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 received the National Business Initiative (NBI) special award for top performance in energy efficiency by an Accord signatory in the commercial sector in November 2008 at the annual eta (Greek symbol for efficiency) Awards;
• Woolworths was ranked first in the low-carbon category in the Carbon Disclosure Leadership index as part of the 2008 Carbon Disclosure Project for South Africa.
• we source over 95% of our food from South Africa, based on country of origin labelling;
• we have identified that less that 0.1% of our food is air-freighted and ensure that we only use this form of transport where local alternatives are not available; and
• Woolworths supports the development of a carbon trading framework for South African companies.