The Co-operative Group (Co-op) recognized the need to act on climate change long before most businesses. The organization has set ambitious long term GHG reduction targets, and consistently met them.
We identified an opportunity for Co-op to bring together its actions to offset carbon emissions with support for its supply chain producers above and beyond the Fairtrade premium it pays. We designed a bespoke project to measurably improve lives, tackle climate change, and support a tea co-operative with its Fairtrade supply chain, delivering on the company’s environmental and social objectives.
About the client
Co-op is one of the world’s largest consumer co-operatives, owned by millions of members and employing nearly 70,000 people. It’s the UK’s fifth biggest food retailer, number one funeral services provider, a major general insurer, and a growing legal services business. The Co-operative is also recognized for its leading social goals and community-led programs.
Co-op worked with Climate Impact Partners to provide safe water and cut carbon emissions within Co-op’s Fairtrade supply chain communities
What we did
Climate Impact Partners was ideally placed to develop integrated supply chain projects for Co-op. Collaborating closely with the group’s headquarters in Manchester, we worked with Fairtrade tea-producing co-operatives in Kenya to understand their community needs and find ways to solve them using carbon finance.
After a series of community consultations, Climate Impact Partners then began work on a series of bespoke climate and development projects to provide safe water and cut carbon emissions within Co-op’s Fairtrade supply chain communities.
What positive outcomes did we deliver?
Our unique position as a project developer, coupled with our climate and development expertise, meant we could help Co-op meet its sustainable development and environmental objectives.
The first bespoke supply chain project we developed is an extension of the Aqua Clara project, providing safe water to communities in Kericho – who are part of Co-op's Fairtrade tea supply chain. This project cut more than 6,000 tonnes of carbon and provided safe water to 14,000 people.
Over the last 12 years, we have enjoyed a positive and successful relationship with Climate Impact Partners. The team consistently deliver projects that provide community benefits as well as carbon reductions and enhance our brand position as a leader on social responsibility.
Our goal is to deliver 1 billion tonnes of emissions reductions
500+ clients around the world
Delivering towards the Global Goals
No Poverty
End poverty in all its forms everywhere
Good Health and Wellbeing
Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages
Clean Water and Sanitation
Ensure access to water and sanitation for all
Reduced Inequalities
Reduce inequality within and among countries
Responsible Consumption and Production
Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns
Climate Action
Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts
Supporting our projects delivers on multiple UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). You can read more on the Goals below.
Learn more about the global goalsThe Latest Insights From
Climate Impact Partners
New Year’s Regulations
The rate of policy changes impacting the voluntary carbon market shows no signs of slowing. Stay ahead of key updates and what they mean for your business.
Read more
Communicate Your Impact in 2025
Say goodbye to greenhushing in 2025 and keep up a steady beat of messaging throughout the year using our calendar of key dates as ‘hooks’.
Read more
COP29: Article 6 Breakthroughs
COP29 marked a pivotal moment for international climate cooperation, with the finalization of Article 6 rules being a key highlight.
Read more
