The food we eat – how it is produced, processed and transported, how much we eat or waste – has a significant impact on the environment. Food is responsible for nearly a third of global greenhouse gas emissions and almost 70% of global biodiversity loss on land.

As food retailers, we occupy a critical position in the food value chain. We understand what is required to build a resilient food system. We can work with our suppliers to make transformative change while engaging our customers on the journey.

In this critical decade for climate action, retailers have a responsibility to act now. There have been many welcome commitments in our sector but we must now move from pledges to action and results – in our operations, our supply chains and with our customers.

At Tesco, we will play our part. 

That is why I recently set out our ‘Better Basket’ plan for climate action, highlighting our results so far, as well as future actions to create a better basket for our customers and the climate. This requires incremental improvements as well as transformative change, through innovation, at every point of the food system, from energy and transport to food production, waste and diets.

In 2009, we became the first business globally to commit to being zero-carbon and in 2017, we set science-based climate targets for our business, on a 1.5°C trajectory. We prioritised emissions from electricity and refrigeration as these are the biggest hotspots for retailers. We have invested over £900m since 2006 in energy and refrigeration efficiency improvements. 

We have also switched to 100% renewable electricity in the UK and Europe, including sourcing from new renewable projects that increase the UK’s renewable capacity. Last year, we brought our UK net-zero ambition forward to 2035, 15 years earlier than planned.

“Our suppliers are essential to reducing the environmental impact of food production. Emissions from agriculture and manufacturing are over five-times bigger than retail operations”

We are supporting the UK’s transition to electric transport by installing 2,400 electric vehicle charging points at our stores, which will increase the UK’s charging network by 14%. We have also started switching our entire home delivery fleet to electric, which will be completed by 2028.

To tackle climate change, we must reduce food waste as well. Eleven per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions from the food system is caused by food waste. We are committed to halving food waste by 2030 and together with our biggest food suppliers we have so far saved over 200,000 tonnes of food from going to waste in our operations and supply chain. We are taking steps to help our customers reduce their waste as well.

Our suppliers are essential to reducing the environmental impact of food production. Emissions from agriculture and manufacturing are over five-times bigger than retail operations. At Tesco, we are working with suppliers to achieve our science-based supply chain emissions targets through efficiency improvements and new technologies to reduce the supply chain’s biggest emissions sources.

Tackling climate change requires us to find new ways to feed our growing population more sustainably. For example, emissions from livestock represent 14.5% of greenhouse gases globally, which is why we have set a target to increase sales of plant-based meat alternatives by 300% by 2025. 

We are making progress on these commitments but we know there is more to do. 

Addressing climate change is a collective endeavour. It cannot be solved by one company or industry alone but the food sector can make a lasting difference. As retailers, we have a unique role to play in facilitating this across the entire value chain.

This means driving efficiency improvements and game-changing innovation in our own operations, mobilising our suppliers to take bold action and engaging with our customers. 

Now is the time to act to build a food system that is better for our customers and our climate. This is not a choice, it is a necessity. Our customers expect no less from a responsible business and I welcome the chance to work in collaboration to effect lasting change.