Sustainability initiatives: The Greggs Pledge reaches key milestones including launch of first Eco-Shop

Greggs has launched the third edition of its annual sustainability report – The Greggs Pledge.

First launched in 2021, this sets out ten commitments aligned with the ambitions of the UN Sustainable Development Goals and is based on three key areas, including:

A pledge to provide free breakfasts to schoolchildren, give surplus food to those most in need and play a part in improving the nation’s diet by helping to tackle obesity.

A pledge to become a carbon-neutral, zero waste business.

A commitment to increase the diversity of the Greggs workforce and to use purchasing power responsibly, with the aim of making things better in the supply chain

Now nearing the halfway mark towards achieving its goals by the end of 2025, Greggs says that it has reached the following key milestones:

Opened 789 Breakfast Clubs, feeding over 49,000 children every school day.

Reduced manufacturing food waste by 10% (as a % of sales) and increased food redistribution of unsold food in shops by a further 10%.

Opened the 30th Greggs Outlet shop.

Aligning to the goals of the Paris Agreement – to limit global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, Greggs has set near-term science-based emissions reduction targets which have been approved and published by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi).

Opened the first Eco-Shop and brought in the sustainability initiatives from the Eco-Shop into more than 250 of all shops.

32% of range is now ‘Healthier Choice’ products.

Achieved the National Equality Standard.

Roisin Currie, Chief Executive at Greggs, comments: “When we first launched The Greggs Pledge, we committed to being transparent about - and accountable for - the areas where we believe we could drive the most change in making the world a better place.”

“I am pleased to report that we are on track to meet each one of our ambitious targets that we set out to achieve by the end of 2025 making us both a stronger and better business.”

She adds: “As we look to the year ahead, we are in a strong position to continue to make significant progress.”

“By giving good food a second chance and redistributing it to those in need and reducing food waste, to implementing initiatives that directly tackle climate change, like continuing to switch to renewable energy, and ensuring we are committed to workplace diversity and inclusivity, we are driving initiatives to make the world a better place.”

“As a responsible business, Greggs is very much upheld by the values outlined in our Pledge and it’s hugely important to our colleagues, customers, suppliers and communities that we continue to raise the bar higher as we lead positive change.”

The retailer has set targets to achieve by the end of 2023, including 50 Outlet shops providing affordable food in areas of social deprivation, and 25% of shops to feature elements from the Eco-Shop design.