Climate change
Our member owners have called for us to act on climate change. We’re running out of time to limit the worst impacts of global warming. We need a radically lower carbon world, and we can’t achieve it alone.
Our response
As we approach 20 years of climate action, 3 principles continue to guide our response:
1. We follow the science: We follow the science in our target setting and decision making. Above all else we must rapidly reduce the carbon we put into the air.
2. Fair and just: We work for a fair and just transition for people and planet. Solving the climate crisis can’t come at the expense of those who can least afford it.
3. Drive systems change: We co-operate to drive systems change because we are stronger and more effective when we work with others.
Read more about our approach to tackling climate change.
Follow the science, rapidly reduce carbon emissions
Globally, we’re out of balance with the natural limits of our planet. The science is clear, the only answer is to reduce carbon emissions everywhere, and fast.
Our long-term goal is to reach Net Zero emissions across our full value chain by 2040, and for our own operations by 2035. Our near-term targets are to reduce carbon emissions quickly enough to remain consistent with the 1.5°C ambition of global climate agreements.
This year, we became one of the first UK convenience retailers to have our near-term and long-term climate targets validated by the Science Based Targets Initiative.
61% reduction in Scope 1 & 2 greenhouse gas emissions since 2016
26% reduction in Scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions since 2016
Work for a fair and just transition, adapt to a changing climate
We work towards adapting to both the changing climate and the societal changes required to rapidly reduce carbon emissions in a way that is fair to everyone. Our approach is split into 2 parts:
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Understanding risk: Ensuring we understand the scale of change that is coming, including the growing risk to our business and the people who produce and supply our products and services
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Acting now: Ensuring that we act as an ethical and fair-trading partner to the people we source from and to support their adaptation to climate impacts
Co-operate for systems change, work together across society
We can’t solve the global climate crisis alone, we need co-operation. In 2024, we have collaborated across our sector and wider society.
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Political engagement and leadership: Co-op is a campaigning organisation, and last summer our members joined Fairtrade’s call for MPs to stand with farmers pushed to the brink by unfair trade and the climate crisis.
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Co-operation with our peers: We’ve supported cross-industry alignment through the IGD Transition Plan for the UK Food System. With the BRC-Mondra coalition, we’re now working with retail peers to produce more accurate carbon footprints for food products, consistently and at scale.
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Funding climate action: We’ve continued to use proceeds from our single-use carrier bag charges to support climate and nature action, including restoring degraded peatland, supporting local communities to create their own plans for nature through Nature Neighbourhoods and brand new solutions through our Carbon Innovation Fund with Co-op Foundation.
Owned by you
Our member-owners drove forward our Climate Justice campaign this year with over 80,000 Join In engagements through the year.