Tesco UK has outlined an ambitious plan for emissions reduction across its operations and value chain as it becomes one of the first retailers globally to have its net-zero science-based targets validated by the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi), the official body validating climate targets.
Tesco’s targets include stretching interim commitments to reduce absolute Scope 1 and 2 emissions from its operations by 85 percent by 2030 from a 2015 baseline year, absolute Scope 3 emissions from energy and industrial sources by 55 percent by 2032 from a 2019 baseline year, and absolute Scope 3 emissions from FLAG emissions by 39 percent by 2032 from a 2019 baseline year.
Tesco has also become one of the first companies globally to have specific, SBTi-validated targets focused on greenhouse gas emissions from ‘forests, land and agriculture’.
The validated targets will see Tesco work towards its commitment to become carbon neutral across its operations by 2035 and value chain by 2050, in line with the Paris Agreement’s aim of limiting global temperature rise to 1.5C.
The retailer has set out its emissions reduction priorities through its Planet agenda. Activity will be grouped across six areas: Improve Products, Decarbonise Transport, Reduce Store Emissions, Support Sustainable Consumption, Eliminate Waste, and Protect Nature.
Activity will include the scaling up of deforestation-free feed sources, the further roll-out of agricultural innovations such as low-carbon fertiliser, and the continued decarbonisation of Tesco’s store estate and transport networks.
Ken Murphy, Tesco Group Chief Executive, said that with the effects of climate change now upon us, Tesco is committed to achieving its target of net zero by 2050. It will require the supermarket to transform its business from producing products in partnership with suppliers to running stores and transport networks and encouraging customers to make healthy and sustainable choices.
“We’ve led the way on action on climate change, from adopting 100 percent renewable electricity across the Group to scaling innovations in our supply chains,” said Murphy.
He continued that the supermarket must work even harder to achieve its goals in collaboration with suppliers and partners. These ambitious targets, validated by the Science Based Targets Initiative, now provide Tesco with a clear roadmap of action over the next ten years and beyond.
Tesco has led the way in tackling climate change, becoming the first business globally to set a net zero target in 2009 and, in 2017, the first FTSE 100 company to set science-based targets for its operations and supply chain.
Tanya Steele, Chief Executive of WWF, said climate change and nature loss are already being felt worldwide, and the food system is a crucial driver of these twin threats.
“We cannot safeguard our future and limit warming to 1.5 degrees without urgently transforming the way we produce and consume food, from ensuring deforestation-free supply chains to tackling overconsumption of meat and dairy,” said Steele.
“We welcome Tesco’s important step forward in setting SBTi-validated emission targets; this must now be matched by action to drive down emissions across their entire value chain.”
Steele said that the WWF was calling on all UK food retailers to match this ambition by setting science-based climate targets across their value chains and acting to put the global food system on a sustainable footing, from farm to fork.
