Tesco CEO Ken Murphy today called on political parties “to stand by their net zero commitments”, regardless of their political loyalties.
The call to action came as he unveiled the rapid expansion of one of Tesco’s key agricultural innovation initiatives, the largest commercial field trial of low-carbon fertilisers in the UK.
Speaking at the Reuters IMPACT event in London, Murphy said low-carbon fertilisers are “part of the solution” to build a more “resilient, sustainable and productive food system that guarantees customers a long-term supply of quality, affordable food as well as improving the economy and world they live in”.
“As the early results show, they have huge potential to cut greenhouse gas emissions, enhance soil health and water quality, as well as providing greater cost certainty for farmers and create industry here in the UK,” he continued.
During the first year of the trial, 1,300 hectares of land were cultivated using eight different low-carbon fertilisers, six of which being manufactured in the UK from material including food waste, chicken litter, fire extinguisher waste and algae, producing 70,000 tonnes of for Tesco customers.
Initial results found they were just as effective as conventional fertilisers and cut emissions by up to 50%.
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Now Tesco plans to increase the trial to 13,000 hectares next year, paving the way for widespread take-up of low-carbon alternatives. As well as its main vegetable suppliers, Tesco also plans to roll out the initiative to more of its Sustainable Farming Groups, many of whom manage pasture and forage-based systems for rearing livestock.
It has committed to share the findings so other businesses can also learn and benefit.
The initiative will contribute to Tesco’s wider commitment as part of WWF’s Retailers’ Commitment for Nature to halve the environmental impact of the average shopping basket by 2030 and also inform Tesco’s approach to reducing on farm emissions as part of its wider commitment to reach net zero across its supply chain by 2050.
Murphy added that to see full benefits, action “beyond Tesco’s supply chain” is needed through cross-industry and cross-party collaboration.
“The food industry is willing to invest but needs more stability and confidence when it comes to future policy,” said Murphy. “That is why it’s critical that all parties, regardless of political creed, stand by their net zero commitments and timelines.”
