Recognising the significance of environmental and climate action in shaping the future of the company and stakeholders, Central Retail Corporation Public Company Limited (CRC) has taken decisive measures to enhance its business governance. Committed to promoting sustainability across all fronts, CRC diligently seeks out opportunities to foster a harmonious coexistence between economic growth and environmental preservation.
CRC heads towards its position as Thailand’s leading sustainable retail reaffirming its unwavering conviction in driving its business forward under its sustainability framework across three dimensions: environment, society, and governance (ESG). Moving forward, CRC remains committed to its mission to achieve both tangible and positive outcomes while ensuring a sustainable and profitable future for all stakeholders.
Mr. Yol Phokasub, Chief Executive Officer of Central Retail Corporation, stated, “Through its ‘CRC ReNEW’ strategy, Central Retail emphasises the conviction in driving the business forward as a green and sustainable retail striving to create lasting impact throughout the supply chain. Central Retail continues with our mission to reduce carbon emissions, promote environmental awareness, and create a better economic and life quality for the people.”
CRC ReNEW strategy encompasses the following key performance targets for 2022 and short-term goals to be achieved by 2030:
REDUCE GREENHOUSE GASES
CRC aims for renewable energy, which comprises eight percent of the company’s total energy consumption. At present, the company has been utilising 83 solar cell systems and 58 charging stations that can support up to 790 electric cars across department stores. In addition, with electric trucks for logistics and over 217 energy-saving refrigerators already installed, the company sets out to actively reduce greenhouse gas emissions, with the goal to achieve a 50 percent reduction in emissions through the utilisation of renewable and clean energy by 2030.
NAVIGATE SOCIETY WELL-BEING
CRC collaborates with partners to enhance business operations to reduce the processes and environmental impact across logistics and product development in response to consumer trends while promoting diversity and equality within communities. Notably, CRC has employed over 412 people with disabilities and supported the products and distribution channels of more than 100,000 households, generating over THB 1,500 million income. At present, the company’s target is to generate THB 5,400 million of annual income by 2030.
ECO-FRIENDLY PRODUCTS AND PACKAGING
CRC aims to expand the number of green stores offering environ- mentally friendly products, such as Healthiful and Tops Green, from 60 stores to 200. The company also supports the use of eco-friendly packaging, with the goal of achieving six percent adoption. Moreover, CRC is committed to offering a wide selection of green, organic, and vegan products, ultimately striving for one hundred percent implementation.
WASTE MANAGEMENT
CRC aims to convert 15 percent of its wastes into fertiliser or cylinder gas to reduce landfill waste. The company also actively promotes the circular economy through the 3Rs strategy – reduce, reuse, and recycle. Some of the initiatives include recycling plastic bottles into winter blankets for those in need, encouraging customers to bring their own bags, and fostering proper waste segregation. The goal is to increase waste utilisation to 30 percent.
TOWARDS NET ZERO BY 2050
Central Retail recognises the urgency of environmental crisis and the need for collective efforts. For this reason, the company is committed to accelerating its mission towards net zero by 2050, leading to initiatives including the restoration of watershed forest ecosystems and the increase of green areas through reforestation with a target of 50,000 rai by 2030. The company also invests in green innovation and technology alongside renewable and clean energy, including the transition to low-carbon transportation and the provision of electric car charging services.
As Mr. Yol emphasised, “Central Retail remains steadfast in our commitment to drive the organisation towards stability and sustainability, ultimately delivering a lasting impact on the environment, society, and the community we serve.”
Reforestation for communities
CRC has wholeheartedly embarked on a range of transformative ‘ReNEW’ initiatives centred around circular economy principles, decarbonisation, green investment, energy-saving technologies, eco-friendly products and packaging, waste management, and reforestation.
These collective efforts not only contribute to environmental preservation but also foster sustainable growth within communities. By collaborating closely with its partners, CRC actively supports the development of local economies and communities, resulting in tangible and impactful outcomes that lead to multidimensional sustainability.
WATERSHED REFORESTATION
CRC has collaborated with partners and local communities to restore the ecosystem and promote sustainable farming as a means towards effective reforestation and greenhouse gases sequestration. Additionally, this also helps generate local income through producing, processing, marketing, and adding value to local food products. At the same time, integrated agriculture has been promoted in over 2,154 rai of land in 2021, increasing to 5,519 rai in 2022.
SAMUI ZERO WASTE MODEL
At CRC, waste segregation starts at the very beginning of its cycle: the department store where employees are encouraged to sort out wastes. Afterwards, organic edible wastes are transformed into animal feed while inedible wastes are processed into organic fertiliser and cylinder gas. Eventually, this process led to the support of the establishment of Ko Samui community enterprise where recycled fertiliser is used in agriculture, resulting in the cultivation of fruit and vegetable produce that is sold in supermarkets. In 2022, 41.7 tonnes of organic wastes were reduced, equivalent to a reduction of 106 tonnes of carbon dioxide. Additionally, the process benefits the local farmers who sell their produce to CRC supermarkets.
COMPOSTABLE PACKAGING RESEARCH
CRC collaborated with Gracz and Kasetsart Agricultural and Agro-Industrial Product Improvement Institute, Kasetsart University, to research and develop compostable packaging from agricultural waste to help increase product shelf life and reduce food waste. The final product is planned to be used by 2024 and will help generate income for farmers from selling rice straw and bagasse to the company.
U BAG IN KO SAMUI
CRC employees, together with local community enterprises and partners in Ko Samui, teamed up to collect leftover shading nets from factories on the island and deliver them to local communities to manufacture U Bag (recycled tote bag) to be sold in supermarkets, hotels, and restaurants under CRC. Ultimately, the project helps raise awareness regarding environmental issues among local people while also raising THB 94,000 income from sales of 1,050 tote bag.
OTOP AND ORGANIC PRODUCT SUPPORT
CRC is committed to supporting new generations of farmers in adding value and modernising their agricultural products, including product design and development, natural modification and packaging, modern trade marketing, and distribution channels. Moreover, organic farming helps with the preservation of forest and local plants according to their geographical indication (GI). Notably, in 2022, the company registered over THB 365 million of organic product sales and THB 144 million of OTOP product sales.
