Countdown Sustainability Report 2019 CONTENTS Introduction from Natalie Davis ..............................................................Page 2 Countdown’s 2020 commitments ............................................................Page 4 Performance Highlights ............................................................................Page 6 People .........................................................................................................Page 8 Planet ........................................................................................................Page 24 Prosperity ............................................................................................... Page 40 ABOUT THIS REPORT: This is Countdown’s fifth New Zealand and in 2017 we launched our new Report has been independently Sustainability Report. Statistics are for Corporate Responsibility Strategy 2020. reviewed; other data and statements the year ended 30 June 2019, unless have been internally reviewed. The purpose of this report is to set otherwise specified. out our achievements and challenges For the full 2019 Woolworths Countdown has had a strong for our New Zealand customers and Sustainability Report please visit sustainability plan in place since 2007, stakeholders. Data included in the www.woolworthsgroup.com.au Woolworths Group Sustainability PERFORMANCE 2 COUNTDOWN SUSTAINABILITY REPORT 2019 1 HIGHLIGHTS 2 PEOPLE 3 PLANET 4 PROSPERITY 3 Welcome to Countdown’s We’re here to make a 2019 Sustainability Report. difference to Kiwis’ lives We’re serious about sustainability because or others might need a bit of help, but also to In early 2019, the Colmar Brunton Tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā We’ve listened, and are strongly committed of the solutions for issues like the climate with almost three million New Zealanders understand how to support their teammates Corporate Reputation Index showed that koutou katoa. to doing what we can, wherever we can, to emergency are shared. We need to move visiting our 180 stores each week, doing the when they need it most. our Countdown business had moved to remove it. quickly and make changes at scale and we It’s my great pleasure to share with you right thing for the environment, our people 11th place out of 50 of New Zealand’s top recognise that to do that, we need to play We’re continuing to make sure we’re Countdown’s work over the last year I’d like to thank our entire team of 18,400 and the communities we operate in, is a huge corporates - up from 43rd in 2015. I’m our part by working with other businesses providing working environments where our towards creating a more sustainable future Kiwis for their commitment to our part of our commitment to making Kiwis’ immensely proud that our customers are to make a collective change. There is so team can bring their whole selves to work for Aotearoa. communities and to our environment. lives a little better every day. seeing our changes for the better, and much at stake and the impacts if we don’t - regardless of their age, gender, religion, With friends and family across Aotearoa, at the forefront of this are our greatest I am particularly proud of what we have take action are undeniable. I am privileged to lead a team of 18,400 ethnicity or sexual orientation - and were it matters to all of us that we work for a ambassadors – our team. done to raise the profile of health and Kiwis who care deeply for each other and immensely proud to gain our Rainbow Tick business that’s committed to playing an We are proud of our achievements to date, safety in our business. Keeping our team, their communities. certification in late 2018. There is much more to do, and we look active role in keeping our country beautiful but we know this work is ongoing and will our visitors and our customers safe is an forward to continuing to partner with our for future generations. require the focus and efforts of many to This year, we have continued to increase our We are delivering programmes and policies absolute priority and we are working hard customers, our suppliers, and community protect this place we call home. focus on safety in the business, including our that make Countdown a great place to work to embed a strong safety culture. This work We remain focused on our response to the organisations across NZ, to contribute first business-wide ‘Stop for Safety’ huddles, and to develop skills and careers. Our Store is underpinned by care and a commitment climate crisis. We’re making our stores more Nāu te rourou, nāku te rourou, to building a more sustainable future for where our teams discussed how they could Manager in Training programme creates to promote the wellbeing of everyone who energy efficient and cutting refrigeration ka ora ai te iwi. Aotearoa. Please enjoy Countdown’s 2019 contribute to building a safer workplace. great leaders within our business, like our works for, or interacts with our business. gas emissions by introducing new CO2 Sustainability Report. We also provided our team with simple tools new Countdown Huntly Store Manager, based systems. We are seeing progress Removing single use plastic bags from our they could use, to reach out to those who Jaqueline Jones. Our graduate programme in making our logistics operations more checkouts and online service, two and a half may be suffering from mental health issues attracts fantastic young talent like Annabelle efficient, and are of course continuing months ahead of schedule and nine months through our ‘I am here’ programme. Cole, and our Workplace Flexibility Policy with our work to divert food waste to Kiri Hannifin ahead of legislation, was an outstanding encourages our team to work around their Natalie Davis landfill through food rescue and diversion General Manager Corporate Affairs, Safety Hundreds of our team have already taken the achievement. Kiwis embraced the change and Sustainability busy lives. Managing Director programmes in 100 per cent of our stores. opportunity to not only recognise when they wholeheartedly, but have been clear that there’s still much more to be done to tackle But there is still so much more to do. the unnecessary proliferation of plastic. We are a small country. Many, if not all, 4 COUNTDOWN SUSTAINABILITY REPORT 2019 PEOPLE: Encouraging PLANET: For a healthy PROSPERITY: Founded diversity Aotearoa New Zealand on trusted relationships Countdown’s Ensuring gender equity Moving to a Working with our At least 40 per cent of executive and circular economy business partners senior manager positions to be held by women. Towards zero food waste We will engage fairly and equitably with our going to landfill. suppliers, making fact-based decisions and 1 seeking regular feedback directly and through No salary wage gap between male and female independent supplier surveys . employees of equivalent positions on a per- 9 15 hour rate at all levels of the company, with a Improve the recyclability of our own 2020 step-change improvement in closing any gaps brand packaging and contribute to the We will focus on a best practice by the end of FY17. circular economy. compliance system according to the Commitments 2 Global Compliance Programme. We will 10 16 collaborate with peak organisations to improve workers lives. Embracing our diversity In 2017 we launched our Corporate Source environmentally 100 per cent of those responsible for hiring sustainable commodities Responsibility Strategy 2020, which new team members to have completed Giving back to the unconscious bias training. Source key raw materials and commodities communities in which brings focus, resources and energy to to an independent standard by 2020. 3 We will raise awareness of sustainably we operate Continue the focus on driving cultural Countdown’s sustainability agenda. sourced products. diversity, with a commitment that by 2020 We will invest the equivalent of one per We have assigned targets under the the Countdown team will truly reflect the 11 cent of a three year rolling average of total communities we serve. Achieve net zero supply chain deforestation Countdown Earnings Before Interest and pillars of People, Planet and Prosperity. for ‘high impact’ commodities in our own 4 Tax (EBIT) into community partnerships brand products, such as palm oil, timber, These provide a framework for 17 and programmes. pulp and paper, and packaging. our engagement with customers, A focus on growing our team 12 We will publicly report social impact communities, suppliers and our team. We will develop the careers of the to quantify the positive change we are Countdown team with a focus on youth. Action on creating with a focus on health, economic They also set out our commitment to development and emergency relief. minimise the environmental impact of 5 emissions 18 our operations. We will continue to develop employment Reduce Countdown’s carbon emissions to policies appropriate to our New Zealand team 10 per cent below 2015 levels. to provide a supportive work environment. Creating shared value 6 13 with our customers Innovate with natural refrigerants and reduce refrigerant leakage in our stores We will achieve leading customer Creating opportunities for all by 15 per cent of CO2 equivalent below satisfaction scores. 2015 levels. We are committed to maintaining a workplace 14 that safeguards the health and wellbeing of 19 our people, customers and visitors. We will support and inform our customers 7 to help them to make healthier choices. Achieve Rainbow Tick certification in New Zealand, demonstrating our 20 8 commitment to LGBTI