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  • Overall approach
    2/10
    • Overarching commitment on deforestation
      0/4
    • Signatory to an initiative tackling deforestation
      1/1
      Signatory
      Yes
      1/1
      Which initiatives?: UN Global Compact; WWF Global Forest & Trade Network
      "Boots UK have a very long relationship with WWF-UK, including participation since 1995 in the Global Forest and Trade Network, a WWF-led industry network."[...]"Walgreens Boots Alliance joins United Nations Global Compact Initiative"
      Open source document
      Open source document
    • Awareness of the value of forests
      1/1
      Awareness
      Yes
      1/1
      "reducing deforestation is important to Walgreen Boots Alliance because we use significant amounts of materials such as wood, paper, palm oil, soy and beef in our businesses and supply chains. The production of these items contributes to deforestation, which destroy habitats for plants and animal, affects local communities and has a major impact on climate change"
      Open source document
    • Deforestation as a business risk
      0/1
    • High-level management of deforestion
      0/1
    • Executive compensation linked to deforestation
    • Target to reduce emissions from land-use change
      0/1
    • Reporting on emissions from land-use change
      0/1
    • Disclosure of conservation activity
    • Disclosure of reforestation activity
    • Target to reduce emissions in scope 1/2
      Reduce emissions
      Yes
      0/0
      Is this target aligned with/verified by SBTi?: Yes

      What is the target date for the company to achieve their climate target?: 2030

      Type of climate target: Other or unclear
      "Through its global, enterprise-wide climate target, WBA pledges to reduce its absolute Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 30 percent by the end of fiscal 2030, compared with a 2019 baseline"
      Open source document
  • Commodity score
    9/90
    • Palm oil
      14/90
      • Commitment Strength
        5/17
        • Commodity-specific deforestation commitment
          4/4
          • Commitment applies to all regions, suppliers and operation
            Yes
            2/2
            Commitment applies to all regions, suppliers and operation
            Yes
            2/2
            "Walgreens owned brands: Source 100 percent of palm oil from RSPO certified sources (physically certified and credits) by end of fiscal 2023, and increase the proportion that is physically certified by 5 percent each following year"
            Open source document
          • Target date
            2022
            1/1
            Target date
            2022
            1/1
            What actions or steps are identified for time-bound implementation?: Obtain RSPO Certification
            "Walgreens owned brands: Source 100 percent of palm oil from RSPO certified sources (physically certified and credits) by end of fiscal 2023, and increase the proportion that is physically certified by 5 percent each following year"
            Open source document
          • Interim target date
            NA (target date current or achieved or 2023)
            0.5/0.5
            Interim target date
            NA (target date current or achieved or 2023)
            0.5/0.5
            What date is given for the interim milestone?: NA
            "Walgreens owned brands: Source 100 percent of palm oil from RSPO certified sources (physically certified and credits) by end of fiscal 2023, and increase the proportion that is physically certified by 5 percent each following year"
            Open source document
        • Commitment to a traceable supply chain
          0/7.5
          • Commitment details
            No traceability commitment
            0/4
          • Commitment applies to all regions, suppliers and operation
            No
            0/2
          • Target date
            Post 2050 or no target date
            0/1
          • Interim target date
            No
            0/0.5
      • Associated Human Rights Abuses
        4/17
        • Labour rights in the supply chain
          Yes
          3/3
          Labour rights in the supply chain
          Yes
          3/3
          Other workers' rights commitments: Only work legal working hours; Guaranteed safe and healthy workspaces

          Details of commitment: ILO; UN Declaration for HR; Discrimination; Forced labour; Child labour; Freedom of association

          How far back in the supply chain does this commitment apply?: Tier 1
          "This commitment applies to all Walgreens Boots Alliance affiliates and extends to respecting all internationally recognized human rights as set out in:  the International Bill of Human Rights; and  the core labour standards recognized by the International Labour Organization (ILO), as set out in the ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work. Consistent with our commitment to respect ILO core labour standards, we respect freedom of association and the right to collective bargaining. We support the elimination of all forms of forced or compulsory labour, the effective abolition of child labour and the elimination of discrimination in respect of employment and occupation. Additionally, we are committed to respecting the ILO conventions on labour standards on working hours and health and safety of workers" [...] "Our Supplier Code of Conduct is based on in [...] the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights [...] we will adhere to all applicable health and safety laws and regulations. We expect suppliers to ensure that workers work in safe conditions and that employer-provided living quarters are safe, hygienic and do not compromised the dignity of workers [...] we are opposed to discrimination in any form."
          Open source document
          Open source document
        • Inclusion of small-scale farmers
          No
          0/2
        • Gender equality in the supply chain
          Commitment to address gender related labour rights including discrimination and harassment
          1/2
          Gender equality in the supply chain
          Commitment to address gender related labour rights including discrimination and harassment
          0.5/2
          "We also believe in equal opportunity and our team members must treat one another with courtesy, dignity and respect, regardless of race, color, national origin, ethnicity, pregnancy and maternity, age, gender, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, religion or belief"
          Open source document
        • Commitment to remediation
          No
          0/1
        • Commitment to test Free, Prior and Informed Consent
          No
          0/3
        • Commitment to respect customary rights to land, resources, and territory
          No
          0/3
        • Zero-tolerance approach to violence and threats
          No
          0/3
      • Implementation and Reporting
        6/56
        • Reporting proportion of compliant volumes
          0/0
        • Reporting is independently verified
          Yes, using a third-party verification scheme or certification scheme
          2/2
          Reporting is independently verified
          Yes, using a third-party verification scheme or certification scheme
          2/2
          "Walgreens owned brands: Source 100 percent of palm oil from RSPO certified sources (physically certified and credits) by end of fiscal 2023, and increase the proportion that is physically certified by 5 percent each following year"
          Open source document
        • Suppliers aligned with deforestation commitments across supply chain
          No
          0/3
        • Deforestation cut off date
          No
          0/2
        • Collaborative actions
          Yes
          2/2
          Collaborative actions
          Yes
          2/2
          What initiatives does the company participate in?: Palm Oil Transparency Coalition
          "WBA is a member of the Palm Oil Transparency Coalition (POTC), working to remove deforestation and exploitation from palm oil production."
          Open source document
        • Jurisdictional approach focused on sustainable land use
          No
          0/2
        • Risk assessments for forest risk
          No
          0/2
        • Operations assessed to comply with law
          No
          0/2
        • Accessible grievance mechanism
          No
          0/4
        • Report volumes of commodity sourced/used
          Reporting partial volumes
          2/3
          Report volumes of commodity sourced/used
          Reporting partial volumes
          1.5/3
          Reporting non-certified/non-compliant volume: NA

          Total volume: 1376 tonnes

          What is the non-DCF commodity volume sourced from known production areas, and proportion of total supply chain volume this represents?: NA

          Reporting certified/compliant volume: NA

          What product types/sectors is this in?: Boots UK
          Boots_UK_Limited ACOP report states that the total tonnes of palm used is 1376. 100% of this is RSPO certified
          Open source document
        • Monitor compliance for labour rights and FPIC
          No
          0/5
        • Monitor compliance for zero tolerance approach and customary rights
          No
          0/5
        • Downstream: Reporting suppliers
          No
          0/4
          Downstream: Reporting suppliers
          No
          0/4
          Does the company disclose location of suppliers' production areas or primary processing sites?: No
        • Downstream: Monitor compliance in supply chain
          No
          0/4
        • Downstream: Reporting hectares of deforestation
          No
          0/4
        • Downstream: Engagement with non-compliant suppliers
          No engagement or exclusion
          0/2
          Downstream: Engagement with non-compliant suppliers
          No engagement or exclusion
          0/2
          Does the company commit to engage with rightsholders, Indigenous peoples and local communities when developing the implementation plan?: No

          Does the company engage non-compliant indirect suppliers in order to address and remedy non-compliance?: No

          Does the company work with the non-compliant supplier to develop an implementation plan to remedy associated harms or non-compliance?: No
        • Downstream: Disclosure of non-compliant suppliers
          No disclosure
          0/2
          Downstream: Disclosure of non-compliant suppliers
          No disclosure
          0/2
          Does the company have a list of blacklisted or otherwise excluded suppliers or producers?: No
    • Pulp & Paper
      9/90
      • Commitment Strength
        3/17
        • Commodity-specific deforestation commitment
          1/4
          • Commitment applies to all regions, suppliers and operation
            No
            0/2
            Commitment applies to all regions, suppliers and operation
            No
            0/2
            If no, what is excluded?: Subsidiary

            What subsidiaries are explicitly excluded?: Other subsidiaries

            If Other, specify: NA

            What subsidiaries are explicitly included?: Boots UK

            What is the rationale for any exclusions?: NA

            What percentage of commodity production/sourcing is excluded?: NA
            "BOOTS UK FOREST PRODUCT REPORTING SUMMARY FOR 2018 Boots UK commits to progressively sourcing forest products from well-managed sources." - The policy solely applies to Boots UK
            Open source document
          • Target date
            2025
            0.8/1
            Target date
            2025
            0.8/1
            What actions or steps are identified for time-bound implementation?: FSC Certification
            "We have a long-term objective to ensure all key forest risk commodities (wood/paper/pulp, palm oil, soya, cattle products) and shea are sourced for own brand products come from more sustainable sources by 30 August 2025"
            Open source document
          • Interim target date
            NA (target date current or achieved or 2023)
            0.5/0.5
            Interim target date
            NA (target date current or achieved or 2023)
            0.5/0.5
            What date is given for the interim milestone?: NA Current
            As an organisation we are committed to; the elimination of timber sourced from uncertified high conservation value forests • continuously increasing the proportion of material from known credibly certified sources.[...] Such certification will be to international standards of forest management that include ecological, social and economic criteria - such as those established by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)"
            Open source document
        • Commitment to a traceable supply chain
          0/7.5
          • Commitment details
            No traceability commitment
            0/4
          • Commitment applies to all regions, suppliers and operation
            No
            0/2
          • Target date
            Post 2050 or no target date
            0/1
          • Interim target date
            No
            0/0.5
      • Associated Human Rights Abuses
        4/17
        • Labour rights in the supply chain
          Yes
          3/3
          Labour rights in the supply chain
          Yes
          3/3
          Other workers' rights commitments: Guaranteed safe and healthy workspaces

          How far back in the supply chain does this commitment apply?: Tier 1

          Details of commitment: ILO; UN Declaration for HR; Discrimination; Forced labour; Child labour; Freedom of association
          "This commitment applies to all Walgreens Boots Alliance affiliates and extends to respecting all internationally recognized human rights as set out in:  the International Bill of Human Rights; and  the core labour standards recognized by the International Labour Organization (ILO), as set out in the ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work. Consistent with our commitment to respect ILO core labour standards, we respect freedom of association and the right to collective bargaining. We support the elimination of all forms of forced or compulsory labour, the effective abolition of child labour and the elimination of discrimination in respect of employment and occupation. Additionally, we are committed to respecting the ILO conventions on labour standards on working hours and health and safety of workers" [...] "Our Supplier Code of Conduct is based on in [...] the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights [...] we will adhere to all applicable health and safety laws and regulations. We expect suppliers to ensure that workers work in safe conditions and that employer-provided living quarters are safe, hygienic and do not compromised the dignity of workers [...] we are opposed to discrimination in any form."
          Open source document
          Open source document
        • Inclusion of small-scale farmers
          No
          0/2
        • Gender equality in the supply chain
          Commitment to address gender related labour rights including discrimination and harassment
          1/2
          Gender equality in the supply chain
          Commitment to address gender related labour rights including discrimination and harassment
          0.5/2
          "We also believe in equal opportunity and our team members must treat one another with courtesy, dignity and respect, regardless of race, color, national origin, ethnicity, pregnancy and maternity, age, gender, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, religion or belief"
          Open source document
        • Commitment to remediation
          No
          0/1
        • Commitment to test Free, Prior and Informed Consent
          No
          0/3
        • Commitment to respect customary rights to land, resources, and territory
          No
          0/3
        • Zero-tolerance approach to violence and threats
          No
          0/3
      • Implementation and Reporting
        3/56
        • Reporting proportion of compliant volumes
          0/0
        • Reporting is independently verified
          Yes, using a third-party verification scheme or certification scheme
          2/2
        • Suppliers aligned with deforestation commitments across supply chain
          No
          0/3
        • Deforestation cut off date
          No
          0/2
        • Collaborative actions
          No
          0/2
        • Jurisdictional approach focused on sustainable land use
          No
          0/2
        • Risk assessments for forest risk
          No
          0/2
        • Operations assessed to comply with law
          No
          0/2
        • Accessible grievance mechanism
          No
          0/4
        • Report volumes of commodity sourced/used
          No reporting
          0/3
        • Monitor compliance for labour rights and FPIC
          No
          0/5
        • Monitor compliance for zero tolerance approach and customary rights
          No
          0/5
        • Downstream: Reporting suppliers
          No
          0/4
        • Downstream: Monitor compliance in supply chain
          No
          0/4
        • Downstream: Reporting hectares of deforestation
          No
          0/4
          Downstream: Reporting hectares of deforestation
          No
          0/4
          Does the dowsntream company report the attributed deforestation or ecosystem conversion by sourcing area?: No
        • Downstream: Engagement with non-compliant suppliers
          No engagement or exclusion
          0/2
          Downstream: Engagement with non-compliant suppliers
          No engagement or exclusion
          0/2
          Does the company work with the non-compliant supplier to develop an implementation plan to remedy associated harms or non-compliance?: No

          Does the company commit to engage with rightsholders, Indigenous peoples and local communities when developing the implementation plan?: No

          Does the company engage non-compliant indirect suppliers in order to address and remedy non-compliance?: No
        • Downstream: Disclosure of non-compliant suppliers
          No disclosure
          0/2
          Downstream: Disclosure of non-compliant suppliers
          No disclosure
          0/2
          Does the company have a list of blacklisted or otherwise excluded suppliers or producers?: No
    • Soy
      4/90
      • Commitment Strength
        0/17
        • Commodity-specific deforestation commitment
          0/4
          • Commitment applies to all regions, suppliers and operation
            No
            0/2
          • Target date
            Post 2050 or no target date
            0/1
          • Interim target date
            No
            0/0.5
        • Commitment to a traceable supply chain
          0/7.5
          • Commitment details
            No traceability commitment
            0/4
          • Commitment applies to all regions, suppliers and operation
            No
            0/2
          • Target date
            Post 2050 or no target date
            0/1
          • Interim target date
            No
            0/0.5
      • Associated Human Rights Abuses
        4/17
        • Labour rights in the supply chain
          Yes
          3/3
          Labour rights in the supply chain
          Yes
          3/3
          How far back in the supply chain does this commitment apply?: Tier 1

          Other workers' rights commitments: Guaranteed safe and healthy workspaces

          Details of commitment: ILO; UN Declaration for HR; Discrimination; Forced labour; Child labour; Freedom of association
          "This commitment applies to all Walgreens Boots Alliance affiliates and extends to respecting all internationally recognized human rights as set out in:  the International Bill of Human Rights; and  the core labour standards recognized by the International Labour Organization (ILO), as set out in the ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work. Consistent with our commitment to respect ILO core labour standards, we respect freedom of association and the right to collective bargaining. We support the elimination of all forms of forced or compulsory labour, the effective abolition of child labour and the elimination of discrimination in respect of employment and occupation. Additionally, we are committed to respecting the ILO conventions on labour standards on working hours and health and safety of workers" [...] "Our Supplier Code of Conduct is based on in [...] the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights [...] we will adhere to all applicable health and safety laws and regulations. We expect suppliers to ensure that workers work in safe conditions and that employer-provided living quarters are safe, hygienic and do not compromised the dignity of workers [...] we are opposed to discrimination in any form."
          Open source document
          Open source document
        • Inclusion of small-scale farmers
          No
          0/2
        • Gender equality in the supply chain
          Commitment to address gender related labour rights including discrimination and harassment
          1/2
          Gender equality in the supply chain
          Commitment to address gender related labour rights including discrimination and harassment
          0.5/2
          "We also believe in equal opportunity and our team members must treat one another with courtesy, dignity and respect, regardless of race, color, national origin, ethnicity, pregnancy and maternity, age, gender, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, religion or belief"
          Open source document
        • Commitment to remediation
          No
          0/1
        • Commitment to test Free, Prior and Informed Consent
          No
          0/3
        • Commitment to respect customary rights to land, resources, and territory
          No
          0/3
        • Zero-tolerance approach to violence and threats
          No
          0/3
      • Implementation and Reporting
        0/56
        • Reporting proportion of compliant volumes
          0/0
        • Reporting is independently verified
          No
          0/2
        • Suppliers aligned with deforestation commitments across supply chain
          No
          0/3
        • Deforestation cut off date
          No
          0/2
        • Collaborative actions
          No
          0/2
        • Jurisdictional approach focused on sustainable land use
          No
          0/2
        • Risk assessments for forest risk
          No
          0/2
        • Operations assessed to comply with law
          No
          0/2
        • Accessible grievance mechanism
          No
          0/4
        • Report volumes of commodity sourced/used
          No reporting
          0/3
        • Monitor compliance for labour rights and FPIC
          No
          0/5
        • Monitor compliance for zero tolerance approach and customary rights
          No
          0/5
        • Downstream: Reporting suppliers
          No
          0/4
          Downstream: Reporting suppliers
          No
          0/4
          Does the company disclose location of suppliers' production areas or primary processing sites?: No
        • Downstream: Monitor compliance in supply chain
          No
          0/4
        • Downstream: Reporting hectares of deforestation
          No
          0/4
          Downstream: Reporting hectares of deforestation
          No
          0/4
          Does the dowsntream company report the attributed deforestation or ecosystem conversion by sourcing area?: No
        • Downstream: Engagement with non-compliant suppliers
          No engagement or exclusion
          0/2
          Downstream: Engagement with non-compliant suppliers
          No engagement or exclusion
          0/2
          Does the company engage non-compliant indirect suppliers in order to address and remedy non-compliance?: No

          Does the company work with the non-compliant supplier to develop an implementation plan to remedy associated harms or non-compliance?: No

          Does the company commit to engage with rightsholders, Indigenous peoples and local communities when developing the implementation plan?: No
        • Downstream: Disclosure of non-compliant suppliers
          No disclosure
          0/2
          Downstream: Disclosure of non-compliant suppliers
          No disclosure
          0/2
          Does the company have a list of blacklisted or otherwise excluded suppliers or producers?: No
  • Commitment strength
    3/17
    Avg. score
  • Implementation and Reporting
    3/56
    Avg. score
  • Associated Human Rights Abuses
    4/17
    Avg. score

Profile

Walgreens Boots Alliance is an Anglo-Swiss-American pharmaceutical company based in Illinois. They own the retail pharmacy chains Walgreens and Boots as well as other manufacturing and distribution companies. They have been selected as a powerbroker for palm oil, soy and pulp and paper.

Sector
Industry sector 
Food & Staples Retailing, Paper Packaging, Pharmaceuticals
Segments
Manufacturer, Retailer
HQ
HQ 
United States
Company Type
Company type 
CO
Collective Commitments
Consumer Goods Forum member
New York Declaration on Forests signatory

Top Brands

Walgreens, Boots, Duane Reade, Benavides, No7, Soap & Glory, Liz Earle, Botanics, Sleek MakeUP, YourGoodSkin

How we assess the Forest 500

To ensure deforestation free supply chains, companies need to adopt and implement timebound and measurable policies for forest risk commodities.

All assessments use policies published on company websites, some links may have changed or been removed since the time of assessment.

Full corporate sector performance data Forest 500 assessment methodology

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27 March 2023

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21 March 2023

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Disclaimer

This assessment has been carried out following the methodology developed for the Forest 500 project, available here. Please see our disclaimer applicable to all information contained within this site and our terms and conditions for use of data presented on this site.

All assessments use policies published on company and financial institution websites, and while we endeavor to keep them updated some links may have changed or been removed since the time of assessment.

Please contact us with any concerns or feedback about this or other assessments included in the Forest 500.