Tesco has had its plan for emissions reduction across its own operations and value chain validated by the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi), the official body that validates climate targets.
Tesco’s targets include stretching interim commitments to reduce absolute Scope 1 and 2 emissions from its own operations by 85% by 2030 from a 2015 baseline year. Its absolute Scope 3 emissions from energy and industrial sources will reduce by 55% by 2032 from a 2019 baseline year, and absolute Scope 3 emissions from FLAG emissions by 39% by 2032 from a 2019 baseline year.
Activity will include the scaling up of deforestation-free feed sources; further roll-out of agricultural innovations such as low carbon fertiliser; and the continued decarbonisation of Tesco’s store estate and transport networks.
“With the effects of climate change now upon us, we’re 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,” said Ken Murphy, group chief executive, Tesco.
“We’ve led the way on action on climate change, from adopting 100% renewable electricity across the Group, to scaling innovations in our supply chains. We now must work even harder, in collaboration with our suppliers and partners, to achieve our goals. These ambitious targets, validated by the Science Based Targets Initiative, now provide us with a clear roadmap of action over the next ten years and beyond.”
In June, John Lewis Partnership said it had become the first retailer in the UK to have its net-zero science-based targets validated by SBTi. But it was in March that recipe box company HelloFresh announced its SBTi endorsement.
