Asda has published its first Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) report which sets out its commitments to a sustainable business strategy and outlines how it will make it easier for customers to shop sustainably.
Asda stated that the report reflected the growing importance of ESG issues to customers, investors, and suppliers. It brings together existing and new commitments and builds on Asda’s current ‘Create Change for Better’ programme.
The report was produced following research with more than 3,000 customers to understand which ESG-related issues matter most to them. This showed that affordable greener choices, reducing single-use plastic and cutting food waste were the top three priorities for customers.
To help customers shop more sustainably, Asda has reaffirmed its ‘Greener at Asda’ price promise – a commitment that loose and unwrapped products will not cost more than packaged equivalents.
The report also sets out some of Asda’s other future commitments including becoming a net zero carbon business by 2040, removing 3bn pieces of plastic from products by 2025, ensuring commodities are sustainably sourced, and cutting food waste by 20% by 2025.
It is also pledging to delivering 120m meals by the end of this year through its Fight Hunger programme, and increase the proportion of own-label products that are low in fat, sugar and salt, to 60% by 2024.
“Asda has always been a retailer that sits at the heart of the communities it serves and the events of the last 12 months have highlighted the important role we play in helping to tackle societal challenges,” said CEO Roger Burnley.
“Despite the challenges of the pandemic, we have not lost sight of our wider ESG responsibilities and this report provides an update of where Asda is now on the issues that matter most to our colleagues, customers and communities and importantly where we want to be in the future. It builds upon our existing create change for better commitments and the resilience we have shown during the last 12 months means we are well-positioned to help customers make greener, healthier and responsible choices when they shop with us.”
NAM Implications:
- On reflection, powerful retailers are in a better position to drive ESG initiatives
- than suppliers…
- …who have to carry the cost.
- Especially given the potential kudos involved for those seen to drive the initiatives.
