John Lewis Partnership: A Legacy of Sustainability

The John Lewis Partnership (JLP) operates both Waitrose supermarkets and John Lewis department stores, with an ambitious goal to reach net zero by 2050

With over 80,000 employees and two iconic retail brands, the John Lewis Partnership (JLP) has long been a pioneer in sustainability.

Since its founding in 1929, the company has operated with a strong sense of environmental and social responsibility, a vision instilled by its founder, John Spedan Lewis, who was not only a retail visionary but also a passionate naturalist.

Today, JLP continues to honour that commitment through bold sustainability targets, as emphasised by Marija Rompani, Director of Sustainability at JLP: "The protection and restoration of nature was a personal passion of our founder. It’s now a profound responsibility for the entire John Lewis Partnership."

Ambitious science-based targets

JLP has set ambitious goals for achieving net zero, with plans to reduce emissions across its operations by 2035 and throughout its supply chain by 2050.

These targets have been validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), making JLP the first retailer in the world to set greenhouse gas targets specifically addressing forests, land, and agriculture.

Simon Winch, Environment Lead at JLP, spoke of the importance of these targets: “Coming up with a set of credible targets for our road to net-zero is the culmination of many months of focused work and determined preparation. Validation by SBTi gives us great confidence in the targets and our plans. But we know this is only the start.”

The targets set by JLP are designed to help the company do its part to limit global warming to 1.5°C, a crucial benchmark in the fight against climate change.

According to Winch, the validation of these targets will "turbocharge the change needed" to transform JLP's operations and contribute to global efforts to mitigate the worst effects of climate change.

A plan for nature and people

JLP’s strategy, titled ‘Our Plan for Nature’, outlines a comprehensive approach to sustainability. The plan includes everything from designing more durable goods to adopting regenerative farming practices, all aimed at reducing the company’s environmental impact.

"Reaching net-zero by 2050 means transforming our business in every way," Rompani says, noting that JLP’s suppliers, farms, factories and stores will all be impacted.

One significant aspect of the plan is a partnership with the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) to invest £2m (US$2.6m) in projects focused on protecting and restoring ecosystems in key sourcing regions.

In addition to its environmental initiatives, JLP is also working closely with over 2,000 British farmers to support their transition to regenerative farming methods.

Jemima Jewell, Head of Agriculture and Responsible Sourcing at JLP, explains: “We committed to support our more than 2,000 British farmers and producers to move to farm regeneratively, aiming to help to boost farms’ financial resilience over the long term, while helping to combat the effects of climate change, and protecting and restoring nature.”

Balancing human rights with environmental goals

Sustainability at JLP extends beyond just environmental concerns. The company has also focused on the social impact of its climate strategies, particularly regarding human rights.

Applying a ‘human rights lens’ to all of its sustainability initiatives, JLP is taking a thoughtful approach to how climate change and biodiversity loss affect vulnerable communities in its supply chain.

Working with PwC and Farm Africa, JLP has researched the impact of climate change on women farmers and workers in Kenya, reflecting the company's commitment to both environmental sustainability and social justice.

JLP’s efforts in sustainability and social responsibility have been further reinforced by the launch of the John Lewis Partnership Foundation. This foundation brings together various initiatives, including the John Spedan Lewis Foundation, to ensure a more cohesive and effective approach to sharing skills and resources across the organisation.

Through its dedication to both people and the planet, the John Lewis Partnership continues to set the standard for responsible business practices in the UK.

With clear, science-based targets and a commitment to regenerative farming, human rights, and ecosystem restoration, JLP is building a future that honours its founder’s legacy while making a significant contribution to global sustainability efforts.

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