As experts in the sale of fresh produce, including meat, fish, fruit and vegetables, our daily activities depend on and impact the ecosystems from which many of these products are sourced. Major environmental challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss, the use of natural resources, and pollution can impact global production capacity and the quality of life of societies.
Several international agreements and targets have been established, such as the Paris Climate Agreement and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, which introduce and influence regulatory changes that impact the way countries and companies conduct their activities. Reducing environmental impacts and restoring biodiversity are just two of the objectives.
Integrating all these variables into a business model can bring economic and social benefits. Besides reducing the risk of non-compliance by our businesses, adopting sustainable practices, such as efficient waste management, reducing energy and water consumption, and fighting food waste, can improve operational efficiency. Some of these initiatives can include investing in projects to conserve natural habitats, choosing suppliers with better agricultural and food production practices, reducing food waste, promoting healthier and more sustainable diets in our offer or contributing to a circular economy.
At the Jerónimo Martins Group, our management of environmental challenges is governed by the following policies and codes:
- Environmental Policy
- Sustainable Sourcing Policy
- Product Quality and Safety Policy
- Code of Conduct
- Code of Conduct for Suppliers
A detailed description of these policies can be found in “Governance and strategy”, of this chapter. These documents are also available on our website.