Sustainability has created the new benchmark for redefining business success, according to Australia’s premium tea brand, T2. Today, the global brand has released its Sustainability Report, a transparent look at the brand’s ongoing commitment to ethical and responsible business practices over the past year.

The second annual report has tracked its significant progress achieving new sustainability objectives that have made a positive impact across its team, suppliers and community. By using business as a force for good, balancing purpose and profit, T2 reflects its commitment to a future that benefits people and the planet. Since committing to its sustainability transformation journey, the Australian company has reached significant milestones including:

• As of July, 100% of all teawares are ethically sourced, according to strict SMETA or BSCI auditing standards
• By the start of 2020, 60% of all tea (Camellia Sinensis) was sustainably sourced, which is up from 36% in 2018. 100% of all tea will be sustainably sourced by end 2020;
• Reduced carbon emissions by 8.2% in 2019, of which 100% was offset; and
• Diverted over 250 tonnes of waste from landfill annually through the use of recyclable bags and compostable materials and this continues to be a focus through reduction of use of bags and packaging in 2020

The release of the Sustainability Report comes just months after T2’s announcement of its B Corp accreditation achieved in 2019. Becoming one of Australia’s largest B Corp Certified retailers, T2 joins the global culture shift to redefine business success to build a more inclusive and sustainable economy.

“Retailers and customers alike are looking for brands doing the right thing. We’ve had to reconsider what it means to be a brand redefining success in business, and that required a complete overhaul of our operations to build a more inclusive and sustainable economy, that benefits people and planet first,” said Derek Muirhead, T2 Managing Director.

Environmental impacts have become top of mind for businesses, with an increased demand for transparency and accountability at every level. This last year has seen T2 invest in sustainability, from introducing compostable and recyclable packaging and consumables, to formally measuring carbon footprints to better identify reduction opportunities and set focussed targets.

In March this year, T2 opened the doors to its Green eco concept store in Bondi, Sydney. Its Green Star Design Review’s 5-star rating means that the new retail space represents “Australian Excellence” in environmentally sustainable building practices.

“Since 2017, T2 has continued to evolve plans to revolutionise the way we do business, ensuring we are as sustainable and environmentally friendly as can be for all communities,” said Amy Smith, Global Brand Director, T2.

The business has worked to improve the supply chain of the tea industry globally, sourcing from suppliers that treat workers fairly, supporting communities and switching to sustainably sourced blends. T2 has quickly grown this from less than 2% to 38% sustainably sourced Camellia Sinensis in 2018, to 60% in 2019, and on track to 100% by the end of 2020.

“We are committed to taking responsibility for our actions and business practices, enforcing rigorous testing and controls, and remaining compliant – and contribute to improving the health and wellbeing of the industry,” she continued.

The Melbourne-born brand’s commitment to redefining business success has been grounded in five of the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as a compass to help define their people and planet ambitions:

• No poverty – end poverty in all its forms everywhere
• Gender Equality – achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls
• Responsible Consumption and Production – ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns
• Climate Action – take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts
• Life on Land – protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems

Continuing to be leaders and agents for positive change, T2 is committed to expanding the boundaries of social and environmental responsibility within the broader business community. The sustainability journey will continue to drive T2 to be a business that treads lightly on the planet, as the brand endeavours to brew up a world that benefits all.