A view on Woolworths' corporate responsibility reportBY JOSH DOWSE | FRIDAY, 21 DEC 2012 10:09AMIf you eat or drink in Australia, you're likely to have been a Woolworths customer once or twice this year. If not, you may have bought something in a big box from BigW or Masters, as Woolworths pushes to match its doppelganger Wesfarmers in every sector. Woollies is a big part of our national furniture, and it matters what they do. Someone asked me to have a look at their 2012 corporate responsibility report. I put it on the list and now, crossing off my last to-do of the year, here is a view. It's too light a treatment on many issues, not least alcohol and farmer relationships, but there is still much to see. Related News |
Editor's Choice
Nine in 10 advisers concerned about greenwashing: RIAA
A recent survey by the Responsible Investment Association Australia (RIAA) found that 94% of advisers have concerns about greenwashing or misleading sustainability claims made by investment products.
MSC Group awarded mandates for natural resources strategy
MSC Group will provide administration capability and trusteeship for a natural resources strategy focusing on the energy sector and select commodities.
J.P. Morgan AM rebrands Campbell Global
J.P. Morgan Asset Management (JPMAM) has rebranded Campbell Global as J.P. Natural Capital, expanding the forestland investment manager's mandate as institutional interest in nature-based assets grows.
Podcast: Next wave in ocean investing
If the ocean underpins climate stability, food security, global trade and biodiversity, why has it remained largely absent from investment frameworks, and how can investors better account for ocean-related risks and opportunities in their portfolios?
Videos
Brought to you by ![]()
Further Reading
Whitepapers
Modern slavery in the geopolitical crossfire
When investors frame the conversation about the risks of modern slavery, we tend to cite a common set of facts and a common set of arguments as to why ...
What ACCR v Santos means for your climate disclosures
The Federal Court has dismissed greenwashing claims brought by the Australasian Centre for Corporate Responsibility (ACCR) against Santos.
Materiality is not a single judgment: It is a governance system
Much has been written about sustainability materiality in recent years. The more fundamental problem is that materiality is still treated as a single ...
Roundtable reflections: Is ESG dead?
"Is ESG dead?" we asked at our recent Responsible Investors (RI) roundtable in May this year. Short answer: no.
Expert Feed
Australia's social media age ban: A digital turning point for society and investment markets
In a global first and a warning shot for platforms, at the end of 2025 Australia became the first country to ban under-16s from social media, with penalties ...
How economics and energy security are driving the next phase of the energy transition
Looking ahead, the next phase of the energy transition will be defined by practical system build-out rather than headline climate commitments.
Sustainability in 2025: Building resilience and navigating risks
In 2025, there is likely to be much scrutiny around US President Donald Trump's anti-green agenda in particular.
Balancing Investor expectations with entrepreneurial growth
Recent headlines highlighting corporate management shortfalls in companies led by their founders underscore the need for rigorous governance standards.
ACCESS MORE CONTENT
Financial Standard
Australia's most-read trade publication for wealth management professionals.
Credit where credit is due. Woolworths is making progress in some areas of concern but still walking both sides of the street.
It would be useful for Woolworths to benchmark themselves against leading supermarkets elsewhere Tesco, Sainsbury's, Royal Ahold to name a few.
Given their immense status I am looking to Woolworths to lead the debate rather than follow community sentiment.
Has Woolworths considering using rooftops to host solar arrays or providing on site waste to energy plants?
We are getting to sustainable production and consumption very slowly and large corporates have the power and the profits to move the goal posts.
Like many people I spend money consciously at both Westfarmers and Woolworths stores. A REAL commitment to sustainability would generate greater loyalty from conscious consumers and gain market share from swinging shoppers.
I watch the space and hope for leadership to emerge.
[...] published in The Sustainability Report, 21 December [...]