Newcastle-based Greggs has reported “significant progress” towards its 2025 sustainability targets as it launched the third edition of its annual sustainability report called The Greggs Pledge.

First launched in 2021, The Greggs Pledge sets out ten commitments “to help make the world a better place, with the aim of developing these over the years to come.”

These commitments, aligned with the ambitions of the UN Sustainable Development Goals, are based on three key areas that Greggs believes it can make the most difference.

These include “building stronger, healthier communities” including a pledge to provide free breakfasts to schoolchildren, give surplus food to those most in need and playing a part in improving the UK’s diet by helping to tackle obesity.

They also include “making the planet safer with a pledge” to become a carbon-neutral, zero waste business, and  becoming a better business, with a pledge “to increase the diversity of the workforce and to use purchasing power responsibly, with the aim of making things better in the supply chain.”

Greggs said: “Now nearing the halfway mark towards achieving its goals by the end of 2025, Greggs has made significant progress on its ten commitments and has reached the following key milestones …

“Opened 789 Breakfast Clubs, feeding over 49,000 children every school day … Reduced manufacturing food waste by 10% (as a % of sales) and increased food redistribution of unsold food in shops by a further 10% … “

Greggs chief executive Roisin Currie said: “When we first launched The Greggs Pledge, we committed to being transparent about — and accountable for — the areas where we believe we could drive the most change in making the world a better place.

“I am pleased to report that we are on track to meet each one of our ambitious targets that we set out to achieve by the end of 2025 making us both a stronger and better business.

 “As we look to the year ahead, we are in a strong position to continue to make significant progress.

“By giving good food a second chance and redistributing it to those in need and reducing food waste, to implementing initiatives that directly tackle climate change, like continuing to switch to renewable energy, and ensuring we are committed to workplace diversity and inclusivity.

“As a responsible business, Greggs is very much driven by the values outlined in our Pledge and it’s hugely important to our colleagues, customers, suppliers and communities that we continue to lead positive change.”