Jerónimo Martins Group has been hailed as one of the leading firms in the food retail sector in the fight against climate change and deforestation, according to the latest Carbon Disclosure Project report.
In the annual CDP assessment, the Portuguese company is the only global food retailer to receive a leadership level score in the fight against deforestation, and the only operator to receive a score of ‘A-' in terms of the four commodities associated with the deforestation risk (palm oil, timber, cattle and soy).
In terms of the management of water as a critical resource, the Group received a score of ‘B’. In addition, it received the the highest score (‘A’) for its 'Water Policies', 'Water Accounting' and 'Business Impacts' assessment criteria.
CDP assessed more than 9,600 companies across the globe, which represent half of global market capitalisation.
Jerónimo Martins Group companies’ best practices have been included in more than 60 sustainability indices, including the Euronext Vigeo-Eiris Eurozone 120 and Europe 120 indices, as well as the FTSE4Good Global and Europe Indices.
The Portuguese company is also committed to conserving biodiversity and fighting forest destruction as a member of the Consumer Goods Forum (CGF).
Tropical Forest Alliance
Last month, it joined more than 50 organisations, NGOs and international associations in endorsing the position paper issued by the Tropical Forest Alliance in response to a public consultation launched by the European Commission.
Measures proposed by the group include the establishment of partnerships between the EU and producer countries of the main commodities associated with deforestation (such as palm oil, soy, cattle, paper and timber); the introduction of incentives for the sustainable production and sourcing of those commodities; and the setting up of investment and financing measures for projects that incorporate criteria to fight deforestation.
© 2021 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. Article by Branislav Pekic. Click subscribe to sign up to ESM: The European Supermarket Magazine
