Co-op aims for carbon-neutral own-brand food and drink within five years

The target is part of a 10-point climate plan to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2040. The plan details how the Co-op will reduce the direct and indirect impacts of all the food and drink it sells and its wider operations.

Co-op will price match its plant-based GRO range against equivalent meat products. It will make its entire 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.

Co-op Food chief executive Jo Whitfield, whose pay is linked to its radical targets, 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.”