Tesco targets net zero emissions across supply chain by 2050

Britain’s biggest retailer has pledged to produce net zero emissions, including those generated by the products it sells and across its supply chains, in line with the United Nations’ goal to keep global warming below 1.5°C. 

Often referred to as Scope 3 emissions, Tesco’s 2050 target covers not just the carbon produced in its own operations but by its food producers, suppliers and other partners involved in the value chain. 

Tesco will track emissions generated across a raft of areas including in agriculture and food manufacturing, food waste, the use of Tesco products and people’s dietary choices - an increase in the volume of plant-based food produced and consumed is required to reach UN targets.

Emissions from Tesco’s products and supply chain account for more than 90% of the supermarket giant’s total emissions footprint. 

The retailer has written to all of its suppliers to issue a rallying cry in its efforts to transition to a low-carbon economy. Tesco said 100 of its suppliers have already cut manufacturing emissions by 20%, but it is urging further action.  

Tesco chief executive Ken Murphy, who will put climate change at the heart of his keynote session at Retail Week Live next month, said: “In this critical year for tackling climate change, it’s right that we set out this ambitious commitment to cut emissions across our entire value chain. We don’t yet have all the answers and we’ll need support from our suppliers and wider society to meet our targets, but it’s vital we take action now.”

As part of its commitment, Tesco has set out a new group-wide target to become net-zero in its own operations by 2035. That goal had previously only been in place within its core UK business.  

Murphy added: “These new commitments will bring an unprecedented level of transparency to our emissions footprint and will allow us to identify and tackle those areas where urgent transformational change is needed.” 

Tesco said it would support all of its suppliers to set science-based targets and establish a net-zero goal, and wants to accelerate “operational decarbonisation” in emissions “hotspots” such as refrigeration, heating and transport. 

It also pledged to trial new innovations with suppliers to reduce emissions, increase sales of plant-based products and lobby fellow retailers and the government to drive the change agenda forward. 

Tesco’s fresh pledges have been unveiled just a month ahead of COP26 – the two-week climate change conference being held in Glasgow. 

WWF chief executive Tanya Steele said: “The scale of this welcome commitment from Tesco creates much-needed momentum as we head into COP26 – and throws down the gauntlet to other big companies to match this ambition, and to the government to back their action through legislation to require all businesses to publish credible net-zero plans.

“This announcement shows that even our biggest and most complex businesses know that if we’re going to tackle the climate and nature crisis, it can’t be done by offshoring our emissions through imports and supply chains – we need to change every part of the system.”