Countdown has outlined the steps it intends to take on the challenge of climate change, following in the footsteps of its Australian parent company Woolworths’ announcement it will be 100 per cent renewable by 2025.

The New Zealand supermarket chain’s sustainability plan includes over 40 commitments in total, though the business detailed a number which drive the largest and most powerful changes.

According to the business, it will reach zero food waste to landfill from stores by 2025; reduce emissions by 63 per cent by 2030; ensure all new property developments achieve at least a 4 Green Star rating; invest 1 per cent of a three-year rolling average of EBIT into community partnerships and programs; and, will increase representation of Māori and Pasifika New Zealanders in senior leadership positions.

The supermarket’s general manager of corporate affairs, safety and sustainability, Kiri Hannifin, said the 2025 sustainability plan is incredibly ambitious, but that it needs to be in order to meet the scale of the challenges the planet is facing.

“This plan isn’t about doing the easy things that make people feel good about our brand in the short-term. It’s about tackling the big, gnarly issues, and making changes that will have long-lasting positive impacts on our team, our communities and the environment,” said Hannifin.

“Climate change is a very real and present threat and we have to keep making progress on the gains we’ve made over the last few years when it comes to sustainability. “We’ve recognised that to do that, we can’t be vague in our intentions – we’ve had to make sure our plan is game-changing for Aotearoa’s environment and our people.”