Target announces sustainability goals

Target Corp., Minneapolis, unveiled the company’s new sustainability strategy on June 22. The strategy, referred to as Target Forward, “marks a new era in sustainability for the company, as the retailer aims to co-create an equitable and regenerative future with its guests, partners and communities,” the company says.

Through Target Forward, the retailer says it is focused on restoring and regrowing natural systems and ensuring its team, communities and partners around the globe can thrive.

“As a company and a member of the global community, it’s imperative for both the health of our business and of our planet that we embrace new ways to move forward,” Brian Cornell, chairman and CEO of Target, says. “We know sustainability is tied to business resiliency and growth, and that our size and scale can drive change that is good for all. Target Forward influences every corner of our business, deepens our collaboration with our partners and builds on our past efforts to ensure a better future for generations to come.”

The commitments Target is making with Target Forward work toward three ambitions: to design and elevate sustainable brands, innovate to eliminate waste, and accelerate opportunity and equity.

Signature goals include:

• By 2030, Target aims to be the market leader for creating and curating inclusive, sustainable brands and experiences.
• By 2040, Target plans for 100 percent of its owned brand products to be designed for a circular future. Target’s teams will continue designing to eliminate waste, using materials that are regenerative, recycled or sourced sustainably in order to create products that are more durable, easily repaired or recyclable.
• By 2040, Target commits to being a net zero enterprise, meaning zero waste to landfill in its U.S. operations and net zero emissions across both its operations and supply chain, inclusive of scopes 1, 2 and 3.
• By 2030, Target aims to build a team that equitably reflects the communities it serves, beginning with its commitment to increase black team member representation across the company by 20 percent by 2023.

“We want our guests to turn to Target first when they think about sustainability,” Amanda Nusz, senior vice president of corporate responsibility at Target, and president of the Target Foundation, says. “We know that the only way to make that possible is by putting both people and the planet at the center of our efforts as we co-create with our guests, our partners and the communities we serve.”