Red sheds vow to cut emissions

The Warehouse Group is laying claim to becoming the third-largest retailer in the world to go carbon neutral.

It’s the second big Kiwi company to move to carbon neutrality this week, after casino operator SkyCity Entertainment Group said its New Zealand casinos would offset their carbon emissions by the end of the year.

The Warehouse Group’s strategy includes buying New Zealand carbon credits, planting 2.7 million native trees and buying extra highquality international carbon credits until those trees have grown.

Company founder Sir Stephen Tindall said announcing the carbonneutral status was ‘‘something we’re so proud to have got to’’.

‘‘I truly believe that we as a little country down here in the South Pacific can be a leader and an example to other countries.’’

As well as offsetting its emissions, The Warehouse Group outlined ways it was trying to be more environmentally friendly, including a widespread review of its plastics and waste packaging.

The company already reuses 55,000 tonnes of polystyrene annually, compacting it into art frames. It also recycles old mobile phones and customers’ used whiteware.

It currently diverts 80 per cent of its waste from landfill.

Nearly one-third of the group’s emissions came from international shipping, so it was looking at logistics including its sea-freight weight and online shopping deliveries.

The group’s goal is to reduce its annual emissions by 40,000 tonnes a year, or 32 per cent, by 2030.

Climate Change Minister James Shaw challenged other businesses to follow The Warehouse’s lead.