MicroBank, the social bank of CaixaBank, granted 21.8 million euros to projects that generate a positive social impact in the Region of Murcia during the first half of 2022, which represents an increase of 80.1% compared to at the same period of the previous year. In Spain as a whole, the amount amounts to 570.5 million euros, or 22% more.
El Corte Inglés will increase its sustainable offering by at least 5% each year through 2025. The company more than met this target in fiscal 2021, increasing its sustainable product business proposition by more than 9% compared to the previous year. . In total, at the end of fiscal 2021, the company had a total of 122,329 sustainable SKUs for sale, both own brands and external brands.
A sustainable reference is a reference that has at least one attribute of durability, an aspect verified at the time of negotiation with the supplier for the acquisition of the product.
The sustainability attributes accepted by El Corte Inglés are included in the Guide to Sustainable Products for Buyers and Suppliers, produced by the Corporate Sustainability Department in collaboration with the Purchasing and Sourcing Departments and specialized external entities, in accordance with the internal sustainability criteria, and presented to the Group’s various interlocutors of work interested parties.
Likewise, El Corte Inglés brings together its diverse sustainable offering through the four programs designed in the El Corte Inglés Sustainable Product Guide: Locally Produced, Sustainable Design and Manufacture, Sustainably Sourced and Closing the Loop.
To achieve these objectives, work is carried out along two lines: with its own brand, taking into account the different requirements envisaged in the Sustainable Product Guide; and with external brands, aligning their own strategies with corporate priorities.
In this sense, El Corte Inglés received the MSC Sustainable Fishing Trajectory award in recognition of its efforts to increase the supply of certified sustainable fishing.
In perfumery and beauty, the new Clean Beauty line stands out, available in physical and online stores, under which you can find sustainable, natural and animal-free cosmetic brands.
In addition, new advances have been made in the area of animal welfare in response to the growing awareness of the living conditions of animals, such as: European Chicken Commitment, fresh eggs out of cage and the incorporation of Animal Welfare Certificate in the own brand of white pork sausage (cured ham, sausages, cooked ham and others).
In fiscal year 2021, the commitment was made to certify El Corte Inglés fresh fish counters in 2022, in accordance with the MSC (Marine Stewardship Council) chain of custody standard. This agreement, which promotes sustainable fishing and the protection of marine ecosystems, represents an evolution of the previous agreement with the MSC; In this sense, we already have 40 references of canned fish with this seal.
All these actions are part of El Corte Inglés’ commitment to create a link with society and the environment.