UK – British multinational groceries and general merchandise retailer, Tesco has announced that its net-zero science-based commitments have been officially validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi).
The retailer said this milestone signifies that it has become one of the first global companies to have specific SBTi-validated targets related to greenhouse gas emissions originating from ‘forests, land and agriculture’.
The validated targets will allow Tesco to work towards its commitment to make all of its operations carbon-neutral by 2035 and for its entire value chain by 2050.
This target will also support the UN’s Paris Agreement to limit global temperature rise to 1.5°C.
Following this achievement, the retailer has outlined an ambitious plan to further minimize emissions across its operations and value chain.
The new commitments include stretching its interim targets to kerb absolute scope 1 and 2 emissions from its operations by 85% by 2030, keeping 2015 as a baseline year.
The retailer is also aiming to reduce absolute scope 3 emissions from its energy and industrial sources by 55% by 2032 and from its forest, land and agricultural emissions by 39% until 2032, keeping 2019 as the baseline year for both targets.
All emission reduction goals have been set out through Tesco’s ‘Planet’ agenda, with its associated activities to be categorized into six areas.
These six areas are Decarbonize Transport, Eliminate Waste, Improve Products, Protect Nature, Reduce Store Emissions, and Support Sustainable Consumption.
In addition, Tesco aims to transition to fully recyclable packaging for all its own-brand products by 2025.
Tesco CEO Ken Murphy said: “With the effects of climate change now upon us, we are absolutely committed to achieving our target of net zero by 2050.
“It will require us to transform the way we run our business, from how we produce our products in partnership with our suppliers, how we run our stores and transport network, and how we encourage our customers to make healthy and sustainable choices.”
Tesco becomes the second major grocery company to have its climate targets validated by the body recently after the John Lewis Partnership – which owns Waitrose – received SBTi’s backing in June this year.
JLP wants to become net zero across its operations by 2035, and across its wider supply chain by 2050.
For all the latest fresh produce industry news updates from Africa, Middle East and the World, subscribe to our NEWSLETTER, follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn, like us on Facebook and subscribe to our YouTube channel.
