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The Co-op group has cut its greenhouse gas emissions by 35% on its 2006 levels as a part of a 'radical' envrionmental and social pledges.

A year ago the group pledged to plan and undertake a set of environmental and social measures, including the sourcing and sale of more Fairtrade products, cutting carbon emissions, investing £1 billion in renewables and taking on thousands of new apprentices.

The Co-Operative Group, which employs more than 120,000 staff in the UK, said it has now cut emissions down by 35% on its recorded 2006 levels, by utilising energy-saving measures in stores, and has committed £700m to date for renewable energy.

By the end of March, 70% of products from poor countries that can be Fairtrade in its stores will be sold under the label, which aims to promote a fair deal for developing world producers. The group has signed up 1 million new members in the past year.

Peter Marks, the group's chief executive, said that the savings made from environmental measures such as energy efficiency totalled £40m a year, compared with 2006. Alongside the cuts the company is also making other plans to support fairtrade and promote change in other sectors

One of those plans is for the Co-Op to launch a new campaign with Oxfam to help small-holder farmers and co-operatives in developing countries, as well as providing 30,000 loans to entrepreneurs in poor countries by the end of the year.

It is also bidding to double the number of primary and secondary schools in its "green schools revolution" to 6,000.

Marks said: "Despite the economic downturn, we have remained true to our pledge to show the way on corporate responsibility."

"The 1 million new members we now have bears testimony to the continued support we have had from our customers".

"It also helps that the savings that result from our environmental efficiency initiatives, nearly £40m a year, are being ploughed back into the business to reduce costs".

The former government sustainability adviser and founder of Forum for the Future, Jonathon Porritt, said the Co-operative's support for community energy projects could help address the problems in the UK's energy sector.

"If you want to see what the 'green economy' looks like in practice, look no further," he added.

Wednesday February 15^th 2012
The Onlines