Towards a sustainable future
Strong awareness of sustainability
Sustainability has been enshrined in the Coop Group Cooperative’s Articles of Association since 1973 and has long since become part of the corporate DNA. To give one example, sustainability targets are systematically incorporated in the goal-setting process, in the training of employees and in operating processes and procedures. Through its comprehensive approach to sustainability, the Coop Group sets itself apart as a sustainability leader by delivering added value in the various markets, secures access to resources and creates a shared value throughout the Coop Group. Expectations of customers as well as requirements of stakeholders such as NGOs and authorities are taken into account.
The strategic basis
As a cooperative, Coop promotes the interests of its members and consumers. Economic, environmental and ethical principles secure its competitiveness. The sustainability strategy encompasses 26 focal areas and 61 measurable targets in the areas of «Sustainable product ranges», «Environmental and climate protection» and «Employees and social commitment».
By taking this approach, Coop is helping preserve natural resources for the long term.
The detailed «Sustainability Progress Report» for the Coop Group is available here: Sustainability Progress Report
Pillar 1: sustainable product ranges – 2024 highlights
- Expansion of the organic range with Bud label for domestic and imported products, as well as Naturaplan growth
- Successful roll-out of own-label brand anniversaries: 35 years of «Oecoplan», 25 years of «Naturaline Cosmetics», and 10 years of «Miini Region»
- Expansion of the sustainable product range in retail and wholesale to over 21 500 articles
- Building up a transparent supply chain for sustainably certified coconut oil in Côte d’Ivoire
Pillar 2: environmental and climate protection – 2024 highlights
- Roll-out of the pilot project «Zero Food Waste for Fresh Meat» with frozen fresh meat sold at a reduced price
- Acquisition of three «Euro9000» locomotives by the company-owned railway Railcare to increase transport capacity by 40% and the transfer of a total of 18.3 million road kilometres to rail
- Conducting «green business partner meetings» in the Transgourmet national subsidiaries to raise awareness among business partners and to develop measures to tackle climate change
- Implementation of the solar campaign with the aim of installing 50 000 m² of PV systems in Switzerland annually and covering 40% of our electricity requirements through our own PV production by 2050
Pillar 3: employees and social commitment – 2024 highlights
- The fifth staging of the «Day of Good Deeds» in collaboration with 700 associations and the inaugural offering of 30 000 donation parcels in sales outlets for people affected by poverty in Switzerland
- Donation of over 34 million meals to social organizations
- Record number of 1 218 new apprentices across 33 professions and employment of individuals with disabilities
- Coop Aid for Mountain Regions: record donations of CHF 9 million for a total of 238 projects aimed at improving the living and working conditions of mountain populations
