Woolworths has released a corporate responsibility strategy saying it will close its gender pay gap, reduce carbon emissions and improve the recyclability of its private label packaging.

The strategy outlines 20 goals the supermarket has committed to achieving by 2020. Three main areas are covered across the goals; encouraging diversity, the environment and building trusted relationship.

In the forward to the strategy, Woolworths Chief Executive Officer, Brad Banducci, said Woolworths is mindful of its responsibilities as a significant contributor to the economy.

“We know that we don’t get it right every time. However, we are committed to doing better every day,” Banducci said.

Woolworths’ 2020 commitments

Woolworths’ 20 corporate responsibility goals are as follows:

Ensuring gender equality

1. At least 40 per cent of executive and senior manager positions to be held by women
2. No salary way gap between male and female employees of equivalent positions on a per-hour rate at all levels of the company, with a step change improvement closing any gaps by the end of FY17.

Embracing diversity

3. 100 per cent of those responsible for hiring new team members to have completed unconscious bias training
4. Continue the focus in driving cultural diversity, with a commitment that by 2020 the Woolworths Group team will truly reflect the communities we serve.

Supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employment

5. Proportion of Indigenous team members to equal Federal Government Employment Parity contract. Once achieved, 2 per cent of our Store Operations team members will be Indigenous.
6. Proportion of Indigenous Graduates to equal Federal Government Employment Parity contract. Once achieved, 2 per cent of our Graduates will be Indigenous.

Creating opportunities for all

7. We are committed to maintaining a workplace that safeguards the health and wellbeing of our people, customers and visitors.
8. Achieve Gold Tier employer status in Australian Workplace Equality Index for Lesbian, Gay Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex inclusion.

Moving to a circular economy

9. Towards zero food water going to landfill.
10. Improve the recyclability of four Own brand packaging and contribute to the circular economy.

Sourcing environmentally sustainable commodities

11. Source key raw materials and commodities sustainability to an independent standard by 2020. We will raise awareness of sustainability sourced products.
12. Achieve net zero supply chain deforestation for ‘high-impact’ commodities in our Own Brand products, such as palm oil, timber, pulp and paper, and packaging.

Responding to climate change

13. Reduce Woolworths’ carbon emissions to 10 per cent below 2015 levels.
14. Innovate with natural refrigerants and reduce refrigerant leakage in our stores by 15 per cent of CO2-e below 2015 levels.

Working with business partners

15. We will achieve a top quartile ranking in how we engage fairly and equitably with our suppliers as measured by independent supplier surveys.
16. We will focus on a best practice compliance system according to the Global Social Compliance Program. We will collaborate with peak organisations to improve workers’ lives.

Giving back to the community in which Woolworths operates

17. We will invest the equivalent of 1 per cent of a three year rolling average of total Group Earnings Before Interest and Tax in community partnerships and programs.
18. We will publicly report social impact to quantify the positive changes we are creating with a focus on health, economic development and emergency relief.

Creating shared value with Woolworths customers

19. We will achieve leading customer satisfaction scores.
20. We will inspire our customers to consume all our products in a healthy, sustainable way.

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