Tesco Uses More Ships to Cut Emissions

Tesco has won a top award for its outstanding contribution to environmental performance. The award recognizes Tesco’s successful efforts to cut carbon emissions across its freight transport operations. Tesco has cut transport emissions per case delivered by as much as 14 per cent in the UK in the last two years, on top of a 50 per cent reduction achieved between 2006 and 2012.

Steve Strachota, distribution director for the UK and Ireland, said: “It is fantastic to have been recognized by industry for the hard work we have done to reduce our impact on the environment. We’ve made more use of sea and rail travel, and made sure delivery lorries are as full as possible before they set off. And we have introduced cutting-edge technology, like aerodynamic trailers and dual-fuel vehicles. It’s not only good for the environment - it makes our business more efficient too.

“At Tesco we will continue to lead the way with our climate change strategy, moving forward with our ambition of becoming a zero-carbon business by 2050.”

These reductions have been achieved thanks to reducing journeys made by road as well as Tesco’s ‘F plan’. Delivery lorries are now fuller, they drive for fewer miles and fuel economy has improved.  In 2013 alone, Tesco cut over 8 million miles from the UK roads by following the plan.

Myles McCarthy, director of implementation at the Carbon Trust, said: “Tesco was one of the first major UK businesses to set ambitious targets for taking action on climate change and carbon emissions, looking not only at its own footprint, but those of its customers and supply chain. The achievements recognized by this award demonstrate how that commitment is now resulting in real environmental successes.

“Freight transport is one of the largest contributors to the UK’s direct greenhouse gas emissions, so it is great to see Tesco using its scale for good by setting an example on how environmental impact can be reduced at the same time as making their business more efficient."

The use of trains and ships instead of lorries is being expanded by Tesco right across Europe. All the containers arriving on ships from the Far East into the deep sea port of Bremen now travel by rail to Tesco’s distribution centre in Slovakia rather than road. And Tesco is using more sea routes – like Gdynia in Poland to Teesport in North Yorkshire, a move which has reduced road miles by over 80 per cent.

The award is for “Outstanding Contribution to Sustainability and Environmental Performance” and it was presented at the 2014 Multimodal conference - the UK and Ireland's leading freight transport and logistics exhibition.

Strachota continues: “Our shift to rail and short-sea to bring goods from Europe to the UK not only reduces our impact on the environment but also gives us a more reliable service at no extra cost.”