Commitment to the environment
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Environmental protection is a priority in everything we do and we allocate the resources necessary to minimise negative impacts on the environment.
Our environmental commitment is enshrined in El Corte Inglés Group's Sustainability and CSR Policy, which sets out the following basic principles on this front:
1
Minimising the consumption of resources in operating processes and using clean energies and eco-friendly materials.
2
Helping alleviate the effects of climate change by making good use of, and preserving, natural resources, preventing contamination and striving to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions and water footprint.
3
Extending circular economy processes in our operations by promoting initiatives that complete the cycle to ensure waste is effectively reduced and to make the best use of resources.
4
Preserving biodiversity of the ecosystems, landscapes and surroundings where the Group has operations.
5
Encouraging collaboration with institutions, initiatives and systems designed to further this commitment.
The figures support our commitments
+ 100
Zero Waste certified El Corte Inglés establishments and platforms
99.98%
of electricity consumed in Spain with renewable Guarantee of Origin
94.6%
of waste recovered at stores and platforms with a Zero Waste system
Our environmental management actions focus primarily on four cores:
Production models need greater traction and natural resources must be used efficiently and responsibly if we want to ensure sustainable growth. This would also open up a business opportunity by encouraging optimal use of raw materials, extending the useful life of materials and minimising waste generation.
Zero Waste
One of El Corte Inglés' key circular economy projects is the Zero Waste system. AENOR certification of our Zero Waste system attests to over 90% recovery of waste generated at our establishments. This is a major tool in helping us deliver the 2030 Agenda goals.
Our commitment: To have all El Corte Inglés establishments and logistics platforms Zero Waste certified by the end of 2022 and all Supercor establishments by 2025
Sustainable packaging plan
We have a sustainable packaging policy in place to ensure it uses packaging that minimises its environmental impact. Aware of the importance of promoting sustainable material usage to prevent resource depletion, this policy, formulated by the Sustainable Packaging Committee, sets guidelines for the Group on the use of packaging materials.
Thanks to the efforts made, we lowered the plastic footprint of our business further by decrease the amount of plastic containers and increasing the use of other reusable materials. The plastic footprint in supermarket areas was reduced by 13.9% thanks to the measures implemented.
Our commitments:
- Eliminate excessive plastic packaging at physical and online stores, and even B2B, by 2025
- Use only plastic that can be reused, recycled or composted (primary and secondary packaging) by 2025
- Reduce our plastic footprint in supermarkets by 5% a year to 2026
Food waste reduction project
Food waste is a priority challenge to achieving the SDGs and we are fully aware of its social, economic and environmental impact. Therefore, our initiatives to reduce food loss focus on three key areas: prevention, redistribution/recovery and awareness-raising about responsible consumption.
- 3,406,861 kilos donated to food banks and other organisations.
- 376,651 kilos of leftover food during the year for use as animal feed.
- In Portugal we undertook a circular economy and social aid pilot project: organic beer is produced from leftover bread in supermarkets.
El Corte Inglés Group is committed to combating climate change, which is one of the main lines of action of the 2021-2025 Sustainability and CSR Master Plan, to help achieve a carbon neutral production and consumption model:
Energy efficiency and sustainable mobility
We promote energy efficiency and the use of renewable energies to gradually reduce GHG emissions. We participated directly in wholesale production markets through a director consumer, thus becoming more active involved in the energy sector. Over the past five years, the Group has cut consumption by more than 16.5%.
- 243 billions of kWh, about the amount consumed by some 75,100 homes.
+ 300 EV charging stations at our department stores.
100% of electricity purchased in Spain comes from renewable sources.
- 16.5% of electricity consumption compared to 2017.
Our commitment:
Have 100% of energy consumed in our operations from renewable sources and encourage this in the supply chain.
Compensation of the global footprint
El Corte Inglés partnered with Sylvestris on a carbon absorption project entailing a multi-year reforestation and forest management programme. It unlocks the value of natural resources in Spain's regions, specifically in the town of Ejulve in Teruel. This area lost 8,000 hectares to one of Spain's largest ever forest fires, in 2009. This project includes the reforestation of some 14.4 hectares.
El Corte Inglés Group discloses its climate change risks and opportunities in accordance with the recommendations of the Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures (TCFD).
Fashion Charter Commitment
We have adhered to the commitments of different international entities such as the Fashion Pact and the Fashion Industry Charter for Climate of the United Nations, the Charter of the Fashion Industry for Climate Action that concentrates 16 principles focused on reducing the impact of industry on climate change.
Given the nature of its operations, water consumption is one of El Corte Inglés Group's smallest environmental impacts. The Group is committed to protecting the environment and in this spirit, we endeavour to ensure that this resource is used in a sustainable manner at our stores and establishments.
The water consumed at the Group's establishments is supplied from public networks and has no impact on protected habitats.
Our commitment: Have a sustainable water management policy that includes recommendations for efficient and responsible use of this resources.
The Group's various companies have environmental management systems in place, which are often certified in accordance with international standards or other certification schemes.
Certificates
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