Central Co-op to expand green energy drive to funeral services
Since 2010, the Society has cut its Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 80% and received the Carbon Trust Triple Standard for reductions in carbon, water and waste
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Central Co-op is planning to roll out solar panels across its funeral business as part of its broader strategy to cut greenhouse gas emissions and reach net-zero by 2040.
The move follows the validation of its climate targets by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), which confirmed that the Society’s goals align with the Paris Agreement’s most ambitious aim of limiting global warming to 1.5°C.
The SBTi endorsement covers Central Co-op’s near-term, long-term and Forest, Land and Agriculture (FLAG) targets. The Society aims to reduce operational emissions (Scopes 1 and 2) by 44% by 2030 and 90% by 2035, against a 2022 baseline. Value chain emissions (Scope 3), including those linked to fossil fuel sales, are set to fall by 55% per million pounds of value added by 2030 and by 97% by 2040.
Since 2010, the Society has cut its Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 80% and received the Carbon Trust Triple Standard for reductions in carbon, water and waste. Solar panels installed across 123 retail sites have produced more than 8.4 million kWh of electricity, saving nearly £2 million since 2022. Central Co-op expects to be more than 25% self-sufficient in renewable energy by 2026, supported by a new wind power purchase agreement.
Its FLAG targets include reducing land-use related emissions by 36% by 2030 and 72% by 2045, and eliminating deforestation from high-risk commodities by the end of 2025. The Society said any remaining emissions, expected to be no more than 10%, will be offset through high-quality carbon removals and mitigation beyond its value chain.
Central Co-op has also developed a FLAG strategy with consultancy Simply Sustainable and has voluntarily included categories such as customer travel in its Scope 3 emissions.
Paul Lockwood, head of sustainability and net-zero at Central Co-op, said: “This validation is a clear recognition of the Society’s long-standing commitment to environmental stewardship. These science-based targets provide a credible pathway to net-zero and reinforce Central Co-op’s determination to act on climate in a way that reflects our co-operative values.”
