MNO3704 Assignment 4 Semester 2 2025 -
DUE 17 September 2025
Environmental Management (MNO3704)
Institution
University Of South Africa (Unisa)
Book
Environmental Management
All JSE listed companies are required to address ethical and environmental
aspects in their annual reports which are uploaded on the companies’
websites and are available for public scrutiny. In the same way, many
companies also publish their sustainability policies on their webpages to
create public awareness. Woolworths, adopts a philosophy of showing their
commitment to sustainability through their Good Business Journey and
Sustainability Programmes. OUR.GOOD BUSINESS JOURNEY Our
sustainability programme, the Good Business Journey, is our commitment to
caring for people, our communities and the environment. Conduct a search
on the internet to access the Sustainability Policies and Position Statements
of Woolworths (South Africa). For your convenience, the links below will route
you to the Woolworths webpage where sustainability is addressed.
Chapter/ /N-139f6z Chapter/ /N-1kpzqkw Navigate the information provided
on the website, using the above links, to answer the questions that follow.
Question 1 [10] Human and industry activity has a great impact on the
environment. Managing this impact is the first step in being environmentally
responsible. Woolworths is committed to playing their part in ensuring that
the Woolies business is resilient in the face of climate change, while always
making every effort to reduce their impact on the environment, by doing
everything they can to think ahead, reduce their energy consumption and
carbon emissions, and use more renewable energy sources wherever
possible. With specific reference to the information on the Woolworths
website, indicate how Woolworths is using energy responsibly and efficiently
to help reduce their impact on the environment. MNO3704/Assessment 4
2025 Question 2 [10] The Sustainable Development Goals are unique in
calling for action by all countries to promote prosperity while protecting the
planet and stimulate action in particular areas. Explain the areas which are
of critical importance for humanity and the planet. Question 3 [10] Based on
the information, to which United Nations Sustainable Development Goals do
the Woolworths Energy and Climate Change Programmes contribute
towards? Question 4 [10] Woolworths states that water availability and
quality impacts everything from the health and well-being of their employees
and communities, to keeping their production facilities running smoothly and
growing the food sold on their shelves. With water as such a critical resource
to their operations — and that of every household and business — they aim
to monitor and manage water consumption across everything in their
, business operations and add that their greatest impact is in the supply chain.
Explain how Woolworths have made water stewardship one of their focus
areas and how they are committed to reducing water consumption and
managing wastewater across their operations and supply chain.
Q1. How Woolworths uses energy responsibly and efficiently
to reduce their environmental impact
From their public sustainability / goals pages and news:
1. Goal to source 100% of their energy from renewable sources by 2030
o Woolworths has set a “Vision 2025+” goal: Source all grid electricity used by the
group from renewables by 2030. (Woolworths Holdings)
o This includes installing solar panels on their own head offices and distribution
centres; entering into renewable energy contracts in their Australia / New Zealand
operations; also working with landlords of malls / stores they lease to get access
to renewable‐energy generation where roofs are available or through agreements.
(Woolworths Holdings)
2. Net zero carbon impact target & intermediate reductions
o They aim to achieve net zero for their direct emissions (Scope 1 & 2) by 2040.
(Woolworths Holdings)
o There is an interim target to reduce those emissions by 50% by 2030.
(Woolworths Holdings)
o Also working with their top suppliers (representing ~25% of procurement spend)
to set their own emissions‐reduction targets. (Woolworths Holdings)
3. Energy efficiency improvements & technology innovations
o They have reduced stores’ energy intensity by about two‐thirds over the past 15
years. (Woolworths Holdings)
o Installation of fridge doors in their food markets / stores to reduce energy
consumption. (Woolworths Holdings)
o Use of “smart technology” and general energy efficiency practices in stores.
(Engineering News)
4. Renewable energy investments
o A recent investment of over R17.5 million in renewable energy projects. This
includes ~R10.5 million for solar installations + R7.3 million per year in
renewable energy agreements at certain locations (e.g. head office, distribution
centres, some stores) across South Africa. (Woolworths Holdings)
o Example: their head office in Cape Town will have its solar installations
expanded: adding ~357 kW capacity more, bringing it to ~465 kW. After that,
around 11% of the head office’s energy usage will be supplied by solar, including
the always‐on data centre. (Woolworths Holdings)
o At store level: in Phalaborwa Mall, they installed a 165 kWp (kilowatt‐peak)
grid‐tied solar system that meets about 30% of the store’s energy needs. Also in
DUE 17 September 2025
Environmental Management (MNO3704)
Institution
University Of South Africa (Unisa)
Book
Environmental Management
All JSE listed companies are required to address ethical and environmental
aspects in their annual reports which are uploaded on the companies’
websites and are available for public scrutiny. In the same way, many
companies also publish their sustainability policies on their webpages to
create public awareness. Woolworths, adopts a philosophy of showing their
commitment to sustainability through their Good Business Journey and
Sustainability Programmes. OUR.GOOD BUSINESS JOURNEY Our
sustainability programme, the Good Business Journey, is our commitment to
caring for people, our communities and the environment. Conduct a search
on the internet to access the Sustainability Policies and Position Statements
of Woolworths (South Africa). For your convenience, the links below will route
you to the Woolworths webpage where sustainability is addressed.
Chapter/ /N-139f6z Chapter/ /N-1kpzqkw Navigate the information provided
on the website, using the above links, to answer the questions that follow.
Question 1 [10] Human and industry activity has a great impact on the
environment. Managing this impact is the first step in being environmentally
responsible. Woolworths is committed to playing their part in ensuring that
the Woolies business is resilient in the face of climate change, while always
making every effort to reduce their impact on the environment, by doing
everything they can to think ahead, reduce their energy consumption and
carbon emissions, and use more renewable energy sources wherever
possible. With specific reference to the information on the Woolworths
website, indicate how Woolworths is using energy responsibly and efficiently
to help reduce their impact on the environment. MNO3704/Assessment 4
2025 Question 2 [10] The Sustainable Development Goals are unique in
calling for action by all countries to promote prosperity while protecting the
planet and stimulate action in particular areas. Explain the areas which are
of critical importance for humanity and the planet. Question 3 [10] Based on
the information, to which United Nations Sustainable Development Goals do
the Woolworths Energy and Climate Change Programmes contribute
towards? Question 4 [10] Woolworths states that water availability and
quality impacts everything from the health and well-being of their employees
and communities, to keeping their production facilities running smoothly and
growing the food sold on their shelves. With water as such a critical resource
to their operations — and that of every household and business — they aim
to monitor and manage water consumption across everything in their
, business operations and add that their greatest impact is in the supply chain.
Explain how Woolworths have made water stewardship one of their focus
areas and how they are committed to reducing water consumption and
managing wastewater across their operations and supply chain.
Q1. How Woolworths uses energy responsibly and efficiently
to reduce their environmental impact
From their public sustainability / goals pages and news:
1. Goal to source 100% of their energy from renewable sources by 2030
o Woolworths has set a “Vision 2025+” goal: Source all grid electricity used by the
group from renewables by 2030. (Woolworths Holdings)
o This includes installing solar panels on their own head offices and distribution
centres; entering into renewable energy contracts in their Australia / New Zealand
operations; also working with landlords of malls / stores they lease to get access
to renewable‐energy generation where roofs are available or through agreements.
(Woolworths Holdings)
2. Net zero carbon impact target & intermediate reductions
o They aim to achieve net zero for their direct emissions (Scope 1 & 2) by 2040.
(Woolworths Holdings)
o There is an interim target to reduce those emissions by 50% by 2030.
(Woolworths Holdings)
o Also working with their top suppliers (representing ~25% of procurement spend)
to set their own emissions‐reduction targets. (Woolworths Holdings)
3. Energy efficiency improvements & technology innovations
o They have reduced stores’ energy intensity by about two‐thirds over the past 15
years. (Woolworths Holdings)
o Installation of fridge doors in their food markets / stores to reduce energy
consumption. (Woolworths Holdings)
o Use of “smart technology” and general energy efficiency practices in stores.
(Engineering News)
4. Renewable energy investments
o A recent investment of over R17.5 million in renewable energy projects. This
includes ~R10.5 million for solar installations + R7.3 million per year in
renewable energy agreements at certain locations (e.g. head office, distribution
centres, some stores) across South Africa. (Woolworths Holdings)
o Example: their head office in Cape Town will have its solar installations
expanded: adding ~357 kW capacity more, bringing it to ~465 kW. After that,
around 11% of the head office’s energy usage will be supplied by solar, including
the always‐on data centre. (Woolworths Holdings)
o At store level: in Phalaborwa Mall, they installed a 165 kWp (kilowatt‐peak)
grid‐tied solar system that meets about 30% of the store’s energy needs. Also in
