Tesco to encourage suppliers to reduce greenhouse gas emissions

Tesco states that they will also encourage their suppliers to reduce greenhouse gas emissions
Tesco states that they will also encourage their suppliers to reduce greenhouse gas emissions

Retailer giant Tesco has committed to 100 percent renewable electricity by 2030 and 65 percent by 2020.

Tesco will join other private-sector leaders such as IKEA and Philips in the ‘global RE100’ industry initiative to meet the Paris climate agreement goals.

According to Tesco, emissions from stores and distribution centres make up over 85% of their direct carbon footprint - and they will switch this year to 100% renewable electricity in the UK and Ireland, as well as continuing to invest in energy efficiency.

Tesco said in the past 10 years it had spent more than £700m in energy efficiency, reducing its carbon emissions by 41 per cent and also cutting its electricity bill by £200m a year.

The new corporate goals are 'science-based' and aim to make Tesco a zero-carbon business worldwide by 2050.

More importantly for farmers, Tesco states that they will also encourage their suppliers to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, based upon 2015 levels, with 7% emissions reductions by 2020 and 35% by 2030 (15% for agricultural emissions).

Tesco will support their supply chain to deliver these reductions "through education and collaborative renewable electricity buying clubs".