Deforestation contributes to climate change and biodiversity loss and is a driver of embedded emissions within our supply chain.
In FY25, Coles set an SBTi-validated FLAG sector emissions reduction target, which includes a commitment to work to achieve no-deforestation outcomes.
The SBTi FLAG Guidance recommends a no deforestation commitment aligned with the Accountability Framework (AF) developed by the Accountability Framework initiative (AFi). Coles has developed its no deforestation objectives to be aligned with AFi definitions of what constitutes a forest and deforestation.
Given the differences across various products and supply chains, there is significant complexity in understanding practices and implementing objectives in this area.
We are therefore aiming to achieve no deforestation outcomes through a phased approach to allow us, and our suppliers, appropriate time to build capability to meet requirements, and manage supply constraints.
In this initial phase of our no deforestation ambition, we have sought to achieve no deforestation outcomes across Coles Own Brand1 primary deforestation-linked commodities no later than 31 December 20252 for the following products or supply chains3:
We have achieved our ambition for timber, palm oil and soy; however, we did not achieve our ambition for beef and cocoa, and we continue to work with suppliers and industry partners to address the challenges identified.
Further detail on our no deforestation ambition, together with further details on how Coles is approaching the in-scope products and our progress is included in our
Protecting Forests StatementView PDF, file size 281KBOpens in new window.
1 Excludes Coles Own Brand products not sold in supermarkets, Goods Not for Resale (GNFR); Coles Own Brand pet food; and Exclusive Proprietary and Proprietary branded products.
2 Some in scope products may result in a delayed transition time due to supply chain and operational challenges.
3 SBTi FLAG Guidance states the most critical deforestation-linked commodities are beef, palm oil, soy, cocoa and timber & wood fibre.
4 In-scope beef is all Coles Own Brand beef products produced solely from live cattle directly supplied to Coles from farm/feedlot. It excludes cattle purchased from saleyards and beef as an ingredient in all other Coles Own Brand products eg. ready/convenience meals. We note more than 85% of Coles Own Brand beef is directly sourced.
5 In-scope cocoa product are chocolate products containing high concentrations of cocoa, being Coles Brand confectionery chocolate blocks (excluding no added sugar chocolate, compound (cooking) chocolate, and boxed chocolates). Excludes all other cocoa products and ingredients due to supplier and sourcing constraints driven by global cocoa shortages.
6 In scope products are Coles Own Brand food and drink products containing palm oil. ‘High risk and high volume’ has been determined as products that meet the following criteria i) were identified in the Rainforest Alliance deforestation risk assessment as high risk of deforestation (‘high risk’); and ii) contribute to the top 33% of the total annual palm oil volume sold by Coles in CY24, where such volume is calculated as ‘weight of palm in a product’ multiplied by ‘units sold in CY24’ (‘high volume’). Excludes Coles Own Brand non-food products, processing aids and releasing agents.
7 In-scope products are Coles Brand fresh chicken, turkey, salmon and trout products, which are high volume users of soy used in livestock and aquaculture feed. Excludes soy in human food and drink, and all other animal species diets including layer hens (chickens).
8 Excludes Coles Own Brand packaging, Timber, Pulp and Paper used as a component in food and drink products and Coles Own Brand products made from viscose, bamboo, rice, hemp, cellulose, rattan, bark, cork, osier, vegetable parchment or other plant-based fibre other than timber.
