Swedish retailer ICA has published its sustainability report for the second quarter of 2018, and said that it is launching a new service for its customers to help them lower their carbon footprint.
During the quarter, the group said that it has continued to reduce its plastics use and greenhouse gas emissions. According to the report, ICA's greenhouse gas emissions have decreased by 56% since 2006, mainly due to lower energy and refrigerant emissions in ICA stores and a company policy to favour renewable fuels.
The latest move towards reducing the environmental footprint of the company is in line with the ICA's goal of being a climate-neutral company by 2020.
Helping The Customer To Make Informed Choices
On the consumer side, the company is launching a new digital service for its customers that will be available in their online accounts.
Dubbed 'My Climate Target' (Mitt klimatmål in Swedish), the service aims to provide information and data about the products for the customer and evaluate their carbon footprint.
"We must continue to be open and clear, but we must also present information and data in a comprehensible manner," said Per Strömberg, CEO of ICA Gruppen. "We took a big step in this direction during the spring through the launch of our digital service Mitt klimatmål, which enables our customers to see the carbon footprint of their own food consumption."
Health, Diversity In Focus
ICA's latest sustainability report report also highlights the group's efforts in fighting child obesity in partnership with the Stockholm University, offering pre-packed grocery bags at a reduced price to determine if this can contribute to better eating habits and meals among 60 patient families.
With regards to diversity, ICA recently launched 'ICA 50/50 Potentials' in Sweden; a new scheme to motivate and support the development of junior, women leaders with potential to serve in higher positions across its operations. The Group also announced that by 2020, 50% of all newly recruited ICA retailers shall be women, opposed to around 30% in 2017.
© 2018 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. Article by Matthieu Chassain. Click subscribe to sign up to ESM: European Supermarket Magazine.
