Coles and Woolworths sustainability reports reveal major discrepancy between customer expectations and action to end forest destruction

This week Coles and Woolworths have released annual sustainability reports in the midst of increased scrutiny for supermarkets’ exposure to deforestation. While only Woolworths has made a commitment to address its deforestation problem, new research reveals that the majority of Australians expect Coles and Woolworths to make sure their products don’t come from forest and bushland destruction.

Coles and Woolworths are exposed to significant deforestation risk through their supply chains. This risk stems mostly from the expansion of pasture for beef, but also through less obvious avenues like packaging and transport pallets.

In its report, Coles states that it is currently developing commodity roadmaps to address the potential risk of deforestation. However Coles does not have any commitment to remove deforestation from its supply chains. Meanwhile, Woolworths aims to achieve no-deforestation across primary linked commodities with a target date of 31 December, 2025.

Leading environment organisation, the Wilderness Society, says Woolworths’ new commitment to address deforestation is welcome, now it’s time to turn ambition into action while Coles’ lack of commitment is so far from global best practice that it risks putting them behind the pack.

Without a robust Science-Based commitment to deal with deforestation and the conversion of natural ecosystems in their supply chain, many of the other targets outlined in the Coles sustainability report ring hollow. For example, Coles’ commitment to reach net zero emissions by 2050 will not be possible without stamping out deforestation from their supply chains.

Coles and Woolworths’ sustainability reports come at the same time as new research conducted in August 2024 by market research company Fiftyfive5 for The Wilderness Society shows 86% of people agree that Australian companies should help protect Australian forests. And over two thirds of Australians expect Coles and Woolworths to make sure the products they sell don’t come from Australian forest destruction.

Hannah Schuch, Queensland Campaigns Manager for the Wilderness Society, said, “Deforestation is insidious because it occurs out of sight and out of mind for most Australians, but it is at the heart of the climate and biodiversity crisis. Governments and corporations letting the deforestation of Australia’s forests and bushland continue, unchecked and unmonitored, is failing to deal with the problem at its source.

“Setting a Science-Based deforestation-free commitment is part of the solution but words alone from our major supermarkets won’t stop the bulldozers. Now, it’s time for Woolies to get on with the job of only sourcing deforestation and conversion-free products, from beef to packaging.

“Coles’ silence on deforestation, in contrast, is deafening, when we know Australians want supermarkets to help protect forests and bushland.

“If Coles and Woolworths are truly committed to sustainability, serious about their climate goals and about gaining Australians’ trust, they need to deal with their deforestation problem by setting strong best practice deforestation and conversion-free commitments and get on with their implementation.

“By urgently taking groceries made from deforestation off the supermarket shelves, Woolworths can lead the way in ending Australia’s deforestation crisis.”

For enquiries please contact:

Rhiannon Cunningham, Media Adviser for the Wilderness Society, on 0419 992 760 or [email protected]