How is Woolworths Group Targeting Food Security?

Woolworths Group operates as Australia's largest retailer, employing more than 190,000 team members across its network of supermarket brands.

The company's operations are driven by its commitment to creating better experiences together for a better tomorrow.

As part of this commitment, Woolworths has released an updated Sustainability Plan that outlines its approach to environmental protection and encouraging healthier food choices amongst consumers.

The company's new strategy emerges following the completion of its 2025 Sustainability Plan, which helped reduce direct emissions and expand renewable electricity usage.

The 2030 Sustainability Plan has been developed with a focus on impact and value, while addressing the evolving global landscape and regulatory requirements.

In pursuit of its net zero target by 2050, Woolworths Group has set objectives to reduce absolute Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 80% by FY30 and decrease absolute Scope 3 energy and industrial emissions by 55% by FY33, based on FY23 figures.

The retailer has also committed to taking positive action on nature by FY30 through enhanced sustainable sourcing and improved animal welfare outcomes across its value chain.

Simon Lowden, Chief Corporate Affairs and Sustainability Officer at The Woolworths Group, says on LinkedIn: "At Woolworths Group, sustainability isn't just an aspiration – it's how we do business. It's the foundation of our purpose: creating better experiences together for a better tomorrow.

"Today, I'm excited to launch our new Sustainability Plan. It is anchored on five priority areas or missions – missions because we know to be successful will require end-to-end system focus."

The plan centres on five priority areas including climate and nature, waste and circularity, human rights, social impact and health and nutrition, supported by 14 specific goals and transparent reporting mechanisms.

Circular solutions for food surplus

According to Woolworths Group, packaging and food waste rank amongst the primary concerns for customers, driven by elevated plastic usage and limited material recovery rates.

The retailer has identified opportunities to introduce circular solutions that could keep resources in continuous use, aligning with the Australian Government's 2035 target to double circularity and increase food waste recovery.

Woolworths has established a goal to repurpose more than 90% of its food surplus by FY30 by managing the food lifecycle and maintaining it at its highest possible value through redistribution.

The company also aims to transition its own brand packaging to contain an average of 30% recycled content by FY30.

The retailer's strategy includes continuing to reduce packaging weight, substituting plastic with alternative materials and investing in partnerships to expand plastics recycling infrastructure and soft plastics recycling capacity for customer support.

Scott Perkins, Chair of Woolworths Group, says in the company's 2025 Annual Report: "This year marks the end of our five-year 2025 Sustainability Plan with meaningful progress achieved across key focus areas.

"Notable highlights over the plan period include the Group's efforts to support our community through AU$480m (US$340m) in direct contributions, delivering more than 165 million meals to people in need through our partners, addressing modern slavery in our supply chain and removing more than 20,000 tonnes of virgin plastic from our own brand products."

Supporting healthier food choices

According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, obesity represents a leading risk factor for premature death and disease across Australia and New Zealand.

In response, Woolworths Group is working to support customers in making healthier choices.

Through its portfolio of supermarkets serving millions of customers daily, the company has positioned itself to influence changes in dietary habits, providing improved nutrition and health outcomes.

Woolworths aims to make healthier food options more accessible and affordable, with a target to maintain more than an 80% share of healthier products in customer baskets.

The company plans to reformulate its own brand products by removing or reducing salt, sugar and saturated fats, while expanding its fresh categories and convenient meal solutions to meet customer demand for healthier and high-quality food options.

The retailer's approach to health and nutrition extends beyond product reformulation to include clearer nutritional labelling and customer education initiatives.

By combining these efforts with strategic partnerships across the food industry, Woolworths seeks to create lasting change in how Australians and New Zealanders access and consume nutritious food.

Simon continues: "What gives me genuine confidence in what comes next is that this plan isn't driven by ambition alone.

"It's grounded in evidence, shaped by our partners and stakeholders and owned across the business. Real accountability. Real partnerships. Real progress."