John Lewis signs up to HRH Terra Carta initiative
Launched by HRH on 11 January 2021, the Terra Carta lists ten action articles for the decade and aims to provide an integrated roadmap towards an inspiring, inclusive, equitable, prosperous and sustainable future for the sake of present and future generations
John Lewis has announced it has become the first retailer to sign-up to HRH The Prince of Wales’ Terra Carta, which forms part of HRH’s Sustainable Markets Initiative.
Launched by HRH on 11 January 2021, the Terra Carta lists 10 action articles for the decade and aims to provide an integrated roadmap towards an inspiring, inclusive, equitable, prosperous and sustainable future for the sake of present and future generations.
The partnership revealed it has pledged to support the Terra Carta, its principles and action articles, as they complement existing sustainability commitments.
This includes becoming “net zero carbon” across its entire operations by 2035. This will be supported by removing fossil fuels across the group’s entire transport fleet by 2030. All heavy goods vehicles will also be converted to “biomethane gas”, which is made of food waste, by 2028.
Additionally, all own-brand product packaging across Waitrose and John Lewis will be made to be recyclable, reusable, or home compostable by 2023.
HRH The Prince of Wales, said: “The more companies that sign up to the Terra Carta, the greater its capability will be to drive the change we so desperately need. I can only encourage more people to join this urgent call to arms.”
At Waitrose the group said it will aim to halve food waste in its own operations and supply chain and help halve customers’ own household food waste by 2030.
John Lewis will reportedly lead the ‘Made To Last’ movement to ensure products can be “loved for longer”, with all product categories having a buy back or take back solution by 2025.
Sharon White, chairman of the John Lewis Partnership, added: “HRH The Prince of Wales has made an outstanding contribution to global environmental preservation and protection for over 40 years and we are proud to support his latest initiative and become a Terra Carta supporter.
“The Terra Carta reinforces the Partnership’s commitment to sustainability and we’re pleased to be the first retailer to support it. It will help galvanise our work to put the environment at the heart of what we do. We know we still have a long way to go but each day we are making progress.”
