John Lewis signs new sustainability linked credit facility with environmental targets

The John Lewis Partnership has signed a new £420 million five-year revolving credit facility provided by seven banks, linked to environmental targets.

The financing replaces existing facilities of £500 million, which are due to expire at the end of 2022. Under the terms of the new agreement, the interest rate paid on the facility will vary depending on whether the company achieves three environmental targets over five years related to reducing carbon emissions, reducing food waste and moving away from fossil fuels.

These targets contribute to the Partnership’s existing sustainability commitments:

• Carbon emissions: To be net zero by 2035
• Food waste: 50% reduction in food waste across Waitrose by 2030, against a 2018 baseline
• Transport: End use of fossil fuels across the company’s transport fleet by 2030

Additionally, the John Lewis Partnership has recently joined leading businesses in signing up to the Science Based Targets Initiative Business Ambition for 1.5°C as well as the UN Race to Zero campaign.

Bérangère Michel, Executive Director for Finance at the John Lewis Partnership said: “This is an important agreement for the Partnership. It is critical for businesses to align financial strategy with sustainability goals in order to address climate change. I am pleased that the Partnership is living up to its sustainability commitments and its purpose by making this very important step, ahead of the COP26 summit.

“This credit facility also reinforces the strong relationships we have with our banking partners, who continue to support the Partnership and our plans for the years ahead.”

The Partnership is investing around £800 million this year to transform and grow its retail brands, John Lewis and Waitrose, while diversifying into areas such as financial services and rented housing.