Officeworks | How this retail giant is using their power for good, with Fiona Lawrie

Want to know how one of Australia’s largest retailers hit their 100% renewable energy target in 2024?

Kicking off Season 3 with a bang, Kiarne sits down with Fiona Lawrie, Head of Corporate Affairs and ESG at Officeworks to break down the enormous responsibility major retailers have to shift consumer behaviours and exactly what Officworks is doing about it.

As businesses across the country face increasing pressure to balance cost, environmental impact and good social outcomes, Officeworks is leading the way in innovating and driving change within their own brands and across their major suppliers.

Listen in as the pair discuss everything from building and structuring a sustainability team and prioritising the most material environmental issues to the importance of communicating authentically with customers. Kiarne asks the tough questions, do customers really care and... will they pay for it?

Join them as they discuss:

• Personal Background: Fiona reflects on her upbringing in Singapore, her experiences in China, and how these shaped her passion for making a significant difference in large organisations.

• Role and Responsibilities: Fiona's multifaceted role in sustainability and corporate affairs, and how she integrates sustainability into the core operations of Officeworks.

• Sustainability in Business: How Officeworks is embedding sustainability into their operations, achieving 100% renewable energy targets, and the commercial benefits of sustainable practices.

• Eradicating Modern Slavery: Fiona emphasises the importance of ensuring that Officeworks' supply chain is free from modern slavery and the proactive steps taken to achieve this goal.

• Ethically Sourced Products: The commitment to sourcing products ethically and the role of corporate social responsibility in shaping consumer trust and loyalty.

• Respect for Indigenous Lands: The opportunities for collaboration with Indigenous suppliers and the commitment to inclusivity in business practices.

Key Statistics:

• Officeworks has achieved its 100% renewable energy target, with 170 stores set to be powered by renewable energy by January 2025.

• Since collaborating with Greening Australia in 2017, Officeworks has helped plant 1.75 million trees as a result of customers purchasing from the People & Plant product range. Their goal is to plant 2 million trees by 2025 (Source).

• Since 2020, Officeworks has recycled over 11,800 tonnes of waste through their Bring it Back Scheme.

MENTIONS:

Officeworks

Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO)

Wesfarmers

Officeworks Initiative: People & Planet Positive

Officeworks Initiative: Bring it Back Program and People & Planet Recycling Pop-Up Days

Brother Australia - long-term supplier at Officeworks

Officeworks Partner - Greening Australia

Mandatory Climate Disclosure (PDF from The Treasury - Australian Government)

Handy Guide to a Materiality Assessment (written by KPMG)

The EU’s new Digital Product Passport (DPP)

LINKS:

Learn more about SustainabilityTracker.com

Learn more about The Sustainable Transformation Podcast

Follow The Sustainable Choice Group on LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTok

Follow Nova Podcasts on Instagram for videos from the podcast and behind-the-scenes content – @novapodcastsofficial

CREDITS:

Host: Kiarne Treacy

Guest: Fiona Lawrie

Find more great podcasts like this at novapodcasts.com.au

Nova Entertainment acknowledges the traditional custodians of the land on which we produced this podcast, the Wurundjeri People of the Kulin Nation.

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See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.