The shift to green electricity has been a part of a journey toward a better tomorrow for the retailer. Since 2015, Woolworths Group has reduced its carbon emissions by 31 per cent, and is on track to achieve a validated science-based target of 63% reductions by 2030. Further, the Group aims to have a broad positive future impact by reaching net positive emissions no later than 2050.

“We’re prioritising our commitment to green electricity by investing in new build renewable projects, which will generate new jobs in a sector that requires significant growth to meet the growing demand for green electricity,” says Walmsley.

As of July this year, Woolworths Group’s South Australian operations - covering 70 Woolworths supermarkets, 17 BIG W stores and Adelaide Regional Distribution Centres - are now 100% powered by green electricity. Green energy is drawn from the newly developed Port Augusta Renewable Energy Park where 50 wind turbines and 250,000 solar panels will work in tandem to supply around 100,000 Megawatt hours of renewable electricity per year on the retailer’s behalf.

Woolworths Group has installed over 90,000 solar panels on 175 of its own sites as well, including 150 supermarkets nationally. The installed capacity of 33MW is enough to power about 7,000 homes.

Reducing emissions across the value chain

Woolworths Group is also working with its suppliers to understand and reduce the indirect emissions that occur in its value chain - known as scope 3 emissions.

Scope 1 emissions are those created directly within Woolworths Group’s operational control - refrigerant gasses, transport fuel for fleet cars and home delivery trucks, and natural gas. Scope 2 emissions are those associated with electricity use across all stores, distribution centres and offices.

Scope 3 emissions come from sources the Group outside of its operational control. They come from all the activities, upstream and downstream, that grow, produce, package and finally transport products to distribution centres, before they reach stores and customers.

A shift that counts

Consumers expect businesses like Woolworths Group to address climate change, but it’s also the right thing to do as a responsible corporate citizen. Transparency is critical to the way companies like Woolworths Group approach sustainability as an organisation.

“Sustainability has become integral to how we operate as a business. We now include emissions reductions in our half-yearly and annual financial announcements to acknowledge how central it has become to our business and our shareholders,” Walmsley says.

“It’s increasingly expected of big business; from our customers, from our teams - who are looking to work for an organisation that shares their values - and certainly from our shareholders and investors as well.”

“We want to help educate our customers to make climate-aware choices, and let them know what we’re doing to make their regular shop better for the planet. They are already very aware of the need for change and they’re increasingly looking to purchase their groceries from a supermarket that is making tangible improvements today,” she says.

“We have a commitment to create a greener future. And to create a better tomorrow for the generations to come.”

For more information on how Woolworths Group is creating a better tomorrow please visit woolworthsgroup.com.au/sustainability