Feb. 8, 2008 – Companies need to stop “navel gazing” and start taking concrete steps to reduce their carbon footprints, says Woolworths CEO Michael Luscombe. The head of Australia’s largest supermarket chain told a gathering of business executives to “just get out there and do it,” adding that “you might not get it all right, but you will learn a hell of a lot along the way,” the Sydney Morning Herald reports.

Woolworths embarked on a companywide sustainability push 18 months ago, according to Luscombe. Specific targets include increasing energy efficiency by 20% and reducing carbon dioxide emissions 40% by 2015. Luscombe also says he aims to achieve zero landfill impact for each of Woolworths’ 800 stores.

The company recently hired a sustainability expert and created an independent advisory board to ensure that these goals will be met.

Woolworths started looking at energy and carbon outputs after learning of greenhouse gas leakage from energy-hogging supermarket refrigerators, according to Luscombe. The company is now retrofitting with cascade cooling systems, better fans, and screens to keep in cool air. LEDs will be used instead of conventional lighting, which produces more heat.

All Woolworths stores are expected to carry the new equipment by June of this year.