Co-op unveils SBTi-approved climate targets including agriculture emissions

Co-op is following in the footsteps of other UK food retailers, having set 2030 emissions reduction targets that, for the first time, include forest, land and agriculture activities.

The company, which operates 2,400 convenience food stores across the UK, is aiming to cut operational (Scope 1 and 2) emissions by 66% and absolute Scope 3 emissions from energy and industrial sources by 58.8% by 2030, from a 2016 baseline.

Additionally, Co-op has set a target to reduce absolute Scope 3 emissions from forest, land and agriculture (FLAG) by 42.4% by the same year, and from the same baseline. This is coupled with a goal to end deforestation across key commodities by the end of 2025.

Less than a month ago, UK retailer Sainsbury’s announced a similar set of targets for 2030: a 68% reduction in Scope 1 and 2, 50.4% for emissions from purchased goods and services, upstream transportation and distribution and use of sold products, and 36.4% for FLAG emissions.

This trend reflects a growing recognition that shifting towards a more regenerative food production model is crucial for the achievement of net zero goals, as evidenced by the Emirates Declaration on Sustainable Agriculture, Resilient Food Systems, and Climate Action signed by more than 130 countries at COP28.

Co-op sustainability progress

So far, Co-op has cut operational emissions by 59% from its 2016 baseline, and reduced absolute Scope 3 emissions by 21%. The company says Scope 3 emissions represent over 90% its overall carbon footprint, at just over 4.2 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent in 2021. 

The same year, ingredient sourcing and land use changes in Co-op’s supply chain caused 2.25 million tonnes of emissions – more than half of its Scope 3 total. Updated and more granular numbers are expected to be released in this year’s upcoming sustainability report. 

Commenting on the new target, Shirine Khoury Haq, Co-op Group CEO and Co-Chair of the Government Net Zero Council said: “Reducing our impact on the planet is so important, which is why we are now building on the progress we have already made to date by setting ourselves challenging and robust targets. I’m delighted and proud that we are the first UK convenience retailer to have net-zero targets validated by the globally recognised body, SBTi. We are committed to maintaining the positive momentum we have already achieved in the decarbonisation of our supply chain.”