2026 reports prompt criticism over beef supply chains
Greenpeace Australia Pacific says Coles and Woolworths are failing promises to end deforestation in their supply chains, citing new 2026 sustainability reports released by both supermarket groups.
The environmental group says neither retailer has removed deforestation-linked beef from its shelves, despite public commitments made in 2024 and 2025.
Adele Chasson, nature policy lead at Greenpeace Australia Pacific, said: “Despite their public commitments in 2024 and 2025, neither Coles nor Woolworths have taken deforestation-linked beef off their shelves.”
Greenpeace issued the criticism in Sydney on 26 August 2026. It linked the supermarkets’ beef sourcing to bulldozing of forests and bushland, harm to wildlife and polluted runoff reaching the Great Barrier Reef.
Greenpeace targets beef sourcing
According to Greenpeace, forests and bushland are still being cleared for beef pastures. The group says that process is pushing wildlife closer to extinction and sending toxic runoff into the Great Barrier Reef.
Greenpeace also says millions of native animals, including koalas, lose habitat to beef pasture expansion each year while the two chains delay action.
Chasson said Australians would be shocked to know beef sold by the country’s biggest supermarkets could be linked to pressure on threatened species.
The group says Coles and Woolworths made more than $2 billion in profits in the last year. Greenpeace argues the companies should use their buying power to stop stocking beef tied to deforestation.
Chasson said: “Coles and Woolworths owe it to shoppers to deliver on their promises and end deforestation in their supply chains now.”
Greenpeace says the two retailers are major beef buyers and can influence how cattle suppliers manage land clearing. It argues that changing sourcing standards would help keep forests standing and reduce damage from runoff to the reef.
The group is calling for deforestation-free beef sourcing from both chains. Coles and Woolworths did not respond in the material provided by Greenpeace, and Greenpeace did not give any response from either company to the allegations.
Related Articles
Related: Dolly Parton
