Co-op cuts emissions by one third

The Co-operative has cut its greenhouse emissions by 35% compared to 2006 levels, through simple energy-saving measures like in-store fridge doors.

This is part of its "radical" ethical plan which the group pledged to undertake last year. It committed to a series of environmental and social measures, including cutting carbon emissions, investing £1 billion in renewables, taking on thousands of apprentices and selling more Fairtrade products.

The Co-op said that by the end of March, 70% of products from developing countries that can be Fairtrade will be sold as such, to promote a fair deal for the world's producers. In addition, it has signed up a million new members in the past year.

Following its successes, the group has made a new set of targets, which includes reducing greenhouse gas emissions by half by 2020, generating a quarter of energy from renewables by 2017 and cutting water consumption by 30% by 2014.

The Co-op's chief executive, Peter Marks, said almost £40 million a year was saved by environmental measures such as energy efficiency, compared to 2006.

Copyright Press Association 2012