More people these days want to know what's behind the products they purchase. Were they responsibly produced, meaning was the land, sea or forest protected? How were the people who made them treated? Likewise, the animals? Is the packaging recyclable?

Costco buyers ask these questions when they negotiate with suppliers, as our goal is to follow sustainable sourcing policies. This pertains to the popular branded products we offer, as well as our own Kirkland Signature™ items. Ideally, if everything is done right, the people, animals and the planet are not negatively affected by the goods that come into your house and to your table.

Costco's Sustainability Commitment explains how the company works toward that goal. It details the policies and approaches we take to seek improvements in responsibly sourcing merchandise—and in how we operate our warehouses as efficiently as possible.

The commitment's annual update, released in December, lets us review progress and see the evolution of our sustainability efforts. Those include our Climate Action Plan, which was created in 2020 and outlines our progress on specific targets and actions we are taking to lower our greenhouse gas emissions. We have woven relevant United Nations Sustainable Development Goals into our sustainability programs. And we've clarified how our sustainability principles go hand in hand with our corporate mission statement and our Code of Ethics.

Internally, sustainability is becoming more ingrained as a core principle for our buyers and our warehouse operators. For buyers, it includes asking suppliers key questions not only about their labor practices and the environment, but also about those issues within their supply chains. In operations, steps like replacing grass landscaping with drought-resistant plants and changing to LED lighting may seem small but can make a significant difference. Our STAR program—Sustainability Technical Assistance Review—helps our warehouses manage energy, water and waste.

While we still have a long way to go, we're learning more, making progress and seeking continuous improvement. One of our sustainability principles is that for Costco to thrive, the world needs to thrive. We remain committed to doing our part.