The parent company of Waitrose, John Lewis Partnership, has unveiled its new commitment to reach net zero by 2050 as part of the UNFCCC Race to Zero campaign.
According to the partnership, it will be setting science-based goals to reduce scope one, two and three carbon emissions across its operations and supply chain in line with limiting the global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius.
The company has also hired SSE chief sustainability officer Alex Sutton to lead its climate change programme.
He joins environmental lead Simon Winch to “help set the targets and a roadmap for net zero.”
READ MORE: Waitrose becomes first supermarket to sign ‘historic’ UK Robust Potato Pledge
The group is also set to work with a “leading third-party consultant” to contribute to its emission reduction strategy.
“This is a critical year for climate policy,” John Lewis Partnership director of ethics and sustainability Marija Rompani said.
“World leaders are meeting at COP26 in a few short weeks and it’s essential that this global summit accelerates action towards the goals set out by the Paris Agreement and UN Framework convention on Climate Change.
“We are absolutely committed to that ambition and recognise the important role the retail industry has in supporting its goals.
“We look forward to taking this critical next step as we set our science-based targets.”
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