The Co-op is on course to fail 10 per cent of its sustainability targets as a result of Covid-19 disruption, according to a company report.
The food retailer released 40 “Co-operating for a Fairer World” objectives in 2020, shortly before the pandemic began.
Although 36 are close to being achieved or have already been completed, four targets concerning human rights and eco-friendly sourcing have now been pushed back.
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The Co-op will miss its aim of assessing human rights in three high-risk supply chains by the end of 2021.
Another target, to “champion the role of women and vulnerable people” and launch a gender strategy, has also been delayed.
“Our focus in 2020 has been on responding to the impacts of Covid-19 on suppliers and workers,” the report explained.
The Co-op now hopes to achieve both targets by the end of 2022.
A plan to reduce the impact of sourcing key ingredients like palm oil has likewise been delayed until next year.
The grocer had also aimed to use segregated palm oil in all products by 2020, but only achieved this in 78 per cent of products.
It did not commit to achieving this target by the end of 2021, stating that the “vast majority” of its goods would use segregated palm oil instead.
“We’re committed to caring for the environments our ingredients are sourced from and ensuring a fair deal for all the people in our supply chain,” a Co-op spokesperson said.
“Some targets for 2020 were disrupted by the global pandemic – we pivoted our efforts to emergency support, including our Global Wellbeing Charter, which provides close to £1 million for global projects and people across our supply chain.
“We continue to work towards our sustainability targets in partnership with our suppliers, where it is safe to do so.”
The “Fairer World” plan has now been revised to include three new targets, including making all soy products deforestation-free by 2025.
Chief executive Steve Murrells said the scheme “reflects and respects the needs of our stakeholders in looking to create a fairer world for our colleagues, our members, our communities and our planet.”
It comes as the retailer prepares to hand bonuses worth millions to executives, despite refusing to repay the £65 million given by the government to support it through the Covid-19 pandemic.
The amount will be disclosed in the Co-op’s annual report in the coming weeks.
