UK retailer Tesco has become one of the first retailers globally to have its net-zero science-based targets validated by the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi), the official body that validates climate targets.
It is also one of the first companies in the world to have specific, SBTi-validated targets focused on greenhouse gas emissions originating from ‘forests, land and agriculture’.
The retailer has outlined a plan for emissions reduction across its own operations and value chain. Tesco’s targets include:
- stretching interim commitments to reduce absolute Scope 1 and 2 emissions from its operations by 85% by 2030 from a 2015 baseline year,
- absolute Scope 3 emissions from energy and industrial sources by 55% by 2032 from a 2019 baseline year,
- and absolute Scope 3 emissions from FLAG emission by 39% by 2032 from a 2019 baseline year.
The validated targets will see Tesco work towards its commitment to become carbon neutral across its own operations by 2035, and value chain by 2050, in line with the Paris Agreement’s aim of limiting global temperature rise to 1.5°C.
The retailer has set out its emissions reduction priorities through its ‘Planet’ agenda.
Activity will be grouped across six areas:
- Improve Products
- Decarbonise Transport
- Reduce Store Emissions
- Support Sustainable Consumption
- Eliminate Waste
- Protect Nature
Activity will also 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.
