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Finland: Science-based climate goals strengthens discounter Tokmanni in its actions

Updated: Mar 31, 2021

Discount Retail Listed Chain Tokmanni takes climate change seriously, and reducing climate emissions is one of our most important areas of corporate responsibility. Discounter Tokmanni has over a million customer visits a week, and customers are interested in what they do. Expectations regarding climate action come not only from customers but also from personnel, investors and organizations.

It is clear that discount retail must also operate responsible. At the same time, when we are focussed on costs, our operating model supports sustainable climate goals.

Bold goals seem to point the way for the whole industry In August, Tokmanni announced its bold climate goals and was the third retail company in the Nordic countries to set and approve 1.5-degree science-based targets. The company is committed to reducing the absolute emissions of its own operations by 70% compared to 2015 levels by 2025. For products and supply chains, the target is that 80% of suppliers of products and services (according to procurement) will have their own science-based climate targets within five years. The Science Based Targets initiative will ensure that emission reduction targets are firmly in line with climate research and contribute to limiting global warming to one and a half degrees Celsius.

Responsibility is a common thing Tokmanni has the experience and the courage to set tough goals. Setting ambitious goals challenges them to look for new solutions and operating models. Thanks to common goals and commitment, new measures will become part of everyday work and decision-making. Close co-operation with various partners and 191 stores throughout Finland contribute to enabling a wide range of actions.

We focus in particular on what we can best influence, namely the direct climate impact of our own actions. In practice, this means reducing CO2 emissions from stores. We have also made smart solutions for our climate in our properties and transports. At Tokmanni, for example, electricity already comes from renewable sources.

In the future, Tokmanni will focus on, among other things, mapping renewable heat suppliers. Energy efficiency actions also have a significant impact. With LED lighting and other energy efficiency measures, their energy consumption in individual store properties has been reduced by up to about 30%. In addition, investments in building automation has improved energy efficiency. Store lighting, heating and cooling can be optimized remotely. At the end of the year, 20% of the roofs of our stores have solar panels. The importance of cooperation is emphasized here as well, as as tenants Tokmanni works closely with property owners. To reduce emissions in the supply chain, it works systematically with its suppliers to ensure that they also commit to the climate goals. Finnish companies play a particularly important role, as about 70 percent of all Tokmanni's purchases are acquired from them. Tokmanni works with suppliers in high-risk countries through the amphori BEPI environmental program.

The share of responsibly labeled products is growing Last year, Tokmanni identified the products that are particularly important from a sustainability perspective and to increase their supply. The goal is to offer customers a wider range of commercially significant, responsibility-promoting own Private Label brands. In Tokmanni's own Private Label products, more certified risk raw materials are used, for example, the most significant are cotton, wood and palm oil. They are all directly linked to climate change, and their certification supports more sustainable farming practices. Despite good work and ambitious goals, Tokmanni still have a long way to go. It will continue to learn together and find new solutions to achieve its goals.

In line with the principles of the Global Compact and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), protecting the environment and promoting responsible consumption are key issues for today’s business. The importance of climate action and environmental responsibility as part of corporate responsibility is reflected in the three environmental principles of the UN Global Compact. Principle 7:  Businesses should uphold the precautionary principle in environmental matters. Principle 8:  Businesses should take initiatives to promote environmental responsibility. Principle 9:  Businesses should encourage the development and diffusion of environmentally sound technologies.


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