Overview
In this section we set out how we manage our corporate responsibility programme, developments over the year and key highlights.
By taking good care as we undertake our business in the present we will ensure the long term sustainability of our business in the future. At the heart of our operation we consider carefully how we interact with the world around us, work hard to minimise our impact and strive to make a positive contribution, taking on board the views of all of our key stakeholders.
Corporate Responsibility at Morrisons
Corporate Responsibility is a specific business discipline that takes a proactive approach to forward thinking management. It recognises that business decisions have to take into account social and environmental factors alongside economic ones.
Our approach to CR is to be 'Different and Better than Ever'. We care about where our food comes from, how it is produced, the people who make it and how it is moved and sold. We want our customers to be confident that food bought at Morrisons is food they can trust.
How we manage CR
Management and responsibility for delivery of our commitments is led by senior directors on our Management Board. Ongoing management is integrated into the business through Corporate Services which also incorporates policy development, corporate affairs, technical, regulatory compliance and media relations.
Today: Taking good care for tomorrow
Business
We continued our focus on responsible sourcing as well as raising standards in the supply chain. We've made good progress with our commitment to sustainable palm oil with the first element of our policy, that new products use an RSPO certified system, taking effect.
Farming programme initiatives over the year led to two major pieces of work through our applied research programme, on renewable energy use for dairy farms and on free ranging for egg-laying hens. We retain our leading commitment to British farming with our 100% pledge on fresh beef, pork, lamb and poultry.
Society
We retained three main strands: our people, community and health and wellbeing. Our people are what make our business successful and investing in them is central to delivering quality, value and service. Our company-wide training programme delivered through the Morrisons Academy has now provided recognised qualifications for over 48,000 of our people.
Our community programme has helped to raise over £1.3m for our charity partner for the year, Help the Hospices. Our attention for health and wellbeing has mainly centred on continuous improvement in product formulation reducing both salt and saturated fat levels and further development of our 'Eat Smart' range.
Environment
Our focus remains firmly fixed on carbon emissions reduction and preventing waste. We made great progress on changing out and replacing more harmful refrigerant gases across our estate. We won four Cooling Industry Awards and were recognised as taking an industry leading position.
We've continued to reduce waste and as anticipated reached our 2010 target to reduce waste from stores to landfill by 50% compared to 2005. We're well on the way with our new target to have zero direct waste to landfill from stores by 2013.
Stakeholder engagement
The new Corporate Services structure implemented during the year has successfully allowed even greater stakeholder engagement with key groups including shareholders, customers, government, non-governmental organisations, employees, communities and suppliers. Stakeholder engagement is vital to ensure our corporate responsibility is both relevant and effective. It enables us to identify issues and opportunities, respond to changing needs and adhere to best practice by incorporating different views and feedback into the development and progress of the programme.
Key highlights
We have had an embedded corporate responsibility programme for a number of years. In 2010 set out the second major phase of future plans and commitments in our Corporate Responsibility Review. We have, again, made good progress and won recognition for our work.
More details of our programme can be found in this year's Corporate Responsibility Review.
Tonnes of carbon emissions (CO2e)
Emission figures have been updated to be aligned with the Greenhouse Gas Protocol, developed by the World Resource Institute and World Business Council for Sustainable Development. They have been updated with the latest electricity and waste conversion factors issued by DEFRA.
Source: SKM Environs Consulting
12% achieved
On target for a 30% absolute reduction in carbon emissions by 2020 (2005 baseline).
52% reduction
Exceeded target of 50% reduction of waste to landfill by 2010 (2005 baseline).
£1.3m raised
Achieved target of raising at least £1m per annum for our Charity of the Year - Help the Hospices.