John Lewis strengthens biodiversty commitments

The John Lewis Partnership has strengthened its commitment to reduce the impact of its commercial activity on the natural environment.

The company has committed to zero deforestation in the sourcing of key commodities across Waitrose and John Lewis own-brand product supply chains. It is also investing £2 million to fund ecosystem protection and regeneration projects in the UK and India, through a new and exclusive partnership with WWF.

The company plans to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions at its Leckford farm in Hampshire, with the aim to become net zero ahead of its 2035 commitment.

By 2025, John Lewis will ensure that all key raw materials in its own-brand products will be from more sustainable or recycled sources.

It will also develop more rental, resale and return opportunities, with the ambition to offer more sustainable ownership options for its customers across areas including fashion, home and technology.

Other commitments include funding sustainable water management programmes in key fresh-produce sourcing areas and incorporating natural elements and design principles into all key new build and renovation projects.

Marija Rompani, Director of Ethics & Sustainability at John Lewis Partnership, said: "The crises of nature loss and climate change are inextricably linked. And yet, the UK currently languishes in the bottom 10% of global countries for its abundance of nature. That’s unacceptable and given the tiny window in which we have to get this right, delaying action is simply not an option.

“This is why we’re going back to our roots and focusing our efforts on protecting and restoring nature. Whether it’s eliminating fossil fuel use across our transport operations, investing millions in conservation projects in regions where we source our products, or helping our farmers make the transition to net zero, we are acting where we can make the biggest impact."