Central England Co-operative is the first retail group to achieve all four Carbon Trust Standards for environmental sustainability.

The group has most recently been award the Trust’s internationally-recognised environmental certifications for reducing water use and waste outputs

The Carbon Trust Standard verifies progress across carbon emissions, waste outputs, water use and supply chain carbon emissions. It is managed by the Carbon Trust, an organisation set up by the UK government in 2001 to accelerate the move to a sustainable, low carbon economy. 

Central England Co-operative chief executive, Martyn Cheatle, said: “As a responsible business, Corporate Responsibility is at the heart of how our organisation operates and we invest a large amount of time and resource in delivering our CR strategy. 

“Reducing our negative and increasing our positive impact on the environment is one of four key areas of focus for the Society so we are absolutely thrilled to be leading businesses in achieving all four Carbon Trust Standards.”

In 2011 the Society it received its first certification to the Standard for reducing its own carbon emissions.  Since then it has been required to demonstrate continued improvement in reducing carbon emissions every two years in order to retain its certification.

After being awarded the Carbon Trust Standard for Supply Chain in September, recognising progress in reducing supply chain emissions, the Society has now also achieved certification for its achievements in reducing water use and waste outputs, making it the first in the retail sector to gain all four elements of the Standard.

Carbon Trust managing director of certification at the Carbon Trust, Darran Messem, added: “We would like to congratulate Central England Co-operative for becoming the first retailer to achieve certification to all four elements of the Carbon Trust Standard, taking responsibility not just for the Society’s own sustainability but also working with its suppliers to help them reduce carbon emissions.”