Co-op has announced plans to lower its pension scheme’s carbon emissions as part of a ten-point climate plan to achieve net-zero for its direct and indirect carbon emissions by 2040.

The food retail chain said it intended to align its finances, including carbon offsets and pension funds, to support lower carbon investments, while also reducing the direct and indirect impacts of all the food and drink it sells.

Co-op is aiming to be the first supermarket to sell fully carbon neutral own brand food and drink by 2025, while it also committed to will price matching its plant-based GRO range against equivalent meat products.

The business also plans to make its 200-strong home delivery fleet electric, end the use of fossil fuel heating, lower farm agricultural emissions, cut packaging and reduce impacts from soy in animal feed.

The Co-op said it would report back each year on its progress, while also noting that it had achieved carbon neutral status across its Food, Funeralcare, Insurance and Power businesses.

Co-op Food CEO, Jo Whitfield, said: “We are facing a monumental climate change crisis entirely of our own making. We must recognise that we are in part responsible and that we have to do more and quicker.

“Today, we are sharing the action we are taking, unveiling a comprehensive plan rooted in science. Emissions from our operations and our own-brand products are where we have the greatest responsibility and can make the biggest difference.

“Now when our members buy Co-op branded products and services, we give local causes a helping hand and we’ll be addressing the urgent need to tackle the climate crisis, funding schemes worldwide to tackle carbon emissions and supporting reforestation in the UK.”

Fairtrade Foundation director of impact, Louisa Cox, said: “The climate crisis is threatening the future of the people who grow our food, Fairtrade producers included, and undermining the resilience of UK food supplies.

“Producers must be supported to make a just transition to a zero-carbon future: this requires leadership from retailers that fights the causes of climate change, invests in farmer resilience, reduces transport emissions and more. It’s also crucial that Government backs action by keeping its promises on climate finance and overseas aid.”

The announcement comes the month after Co-op confirmed it had partnered with the Make My Money Matter initiative in a commitment to further align the groups pension investments with the values of the Co-op and its members, and to engage with colleagues on where their pension is invested.

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