Sainsbury’s has set itself the task of planting two million trees over the next five years, as it unveiled its 2010 corporate responsibility report.

The pledge is part of its Corporate Responsibility values, in particular sourcing with integrity and respect for our environment.

Chief executive Justin King said: “Trees are at the centre of our food chain, so if we are to continue selling food of the variety and quality that we do, it is vital that we think long-term and protect a key raw material.”

The majority of the trees will be planted with the Woodland Trust via the sale of Woodland eggs and chicken and the Active Kids scheme. It has already planted almost 250,000 trees through the Trust and expects this to grow each year.

Sainsbury’s has also committed to using only certified sustainable palm oil in its own brand products by 2014.