The Co-operative Group

At The Co-operative Group we recognise the need to develop our business in a sustainable manner. By this we mean business development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Our approach acknowledges that there are physical limits to the resources of the Earth, both in terms of generating materials and absorbing wastes, and that any business activity exceeding these limits is, by definition, unsustainable in the medium to long-term.

The Co-operative Group Sustainability Report 2005 – the third to bring together data and information from across the Group's diverse businesses, provides a new focus on the issues that are most central to the business and its stakeholders. These include: climate change, sound sourcing, animal welfare and waste and packaging.

The Co-operative values of honesty and openness find modern expression in our sustainability reporting. In line with these values, a 'warts and all' approach has been taken to reporting on the Group's social, ethical and environmental performance, which means facing up to areas of performance that need improvement.

We also seek to ensure that our reporting continues to be responsive to the needs of our stakeholders, and as such, your feedback is extremely valuable to us. If you would like to comment on our approach, our performance, or how the Report is presented, please contact us at: sustainability.report@co-op.co.uk