Green Co-op ballots members and shoppers on priorities
It is something probably every environmentally-aware person has struggled with – exactly which ethical and green option should take priority? Food miles or fair trade? Carbon reduction or organic? Now the Co-operative supermarket group is to actually ask its members and shoppers what they think, as well as clarifying some options which, although at first sight seem to be ethically sound, may have unforeseen negative repercussions.
Paul Monaghan is the Co-op’s Head of Ethics and has designed the survey to be given to members and consumers. So strongly does he feel on this subject that he has actually directly criticised some rival firms for their ‘lazy thinking’. He is keen to clarify the Co-op’s stance: “The drive to reduce 'food miles' and reduce carbon dioxide could have real social impacts on third world growers as supply chains are redirected more locally. The carbon produced by Kenyan roses is a fifth of that used to grow Dutch roses because of the heating and lighting.”
It is this kind of detail which seems to be completely the opposite to what you might assume, that the Co-op is hoping to make more plain. They are also unwilling to make changes which would reduce income to some of the world’s poorest areas by redirecting production to the UK.
The survey will cover five broad subject areas – Food quality, diet and health; environmental impact; ethical trading; community retailing; animal welfare - with further subdivisions in each section. Visit their website to fill in the survey for yourself and make your views known.
