Source: Unsplash
WRAP and WWF have announced a new collaborative partnership with eight major UK supermarkets (Aldi, Co-op, Lidl, M&S, Morrisons, Sainsbury’s, Tesco, and Waitrose), the aim of which is to standardise both the measurement and reporting of greenhouse gas emissions stemming from food and drink. Further, the initiative will seek to reduce the environmental impact that the industry is currently having. "We need to transform our food and drink system if we are to stand any chance of achieving our net zero goals and mitigate the worst impacts of the climate crisis.” said Harriet Lamb, WRAP’s CEO in an announcement made on the initiatives launch. She added: “We’re looking forward to cracking the nut of consistent measurement and reporting on greenhouse gas emissions in food and drink supply chains (scope 3), so that we can unlock action to reduce those emissions at pace and at scale."[i]
The current issue is that supermarkets take different approaches in both measuring and reporting their scope 3 emissions (indirect emissions), this is challenging not only for the industry as a whole, but specifically for suppliers who are faced with the burden of having to work with multiple, varying, reporting guidelines. The first phase of WRAP & WWF’s initiative will ensure consistent measurement and reporting of scope 3 GHG emissions- building on the WRAP Scope 3 GHG measurement and protocols launched back in May 2022[ii]. This will begin with an initial pilot scheme in collaboration between the supermarkets and 17 suppliers, before being rolled out more widely later this year.
Its hoped that standardisation will help the food sector meet its environmental targets more easily, as well as increasing confidence in using collected information to take action on high-impact areas.
Simon Roberts Sainsbury’s CEO said: "The urgency of the climate crisis means that now, more than ever, industry wide collaboration is critical to accelerate progress at the speed and scale required to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees. Through joining forces across our industry, driving consistency in our approach to measurement and committing to the innovation required to find new solutions, we can truly move the dial."[iii]
It follows other announcements earlier in the year targeted towards reducing food waste, these included Sainsbury’s promoting boxes containing a variety of loose fruit and vegetable stock which would otherwise have gone to waste. Priced at £2, the ‘Taste Me, Don’t Waste Me’ boxes include surplus stock and so-called ‘wonky veg’ which doesn’t meet cosmetic standards[iv]. The Co-op also announced in early March, that it would join other major supermarkets in removing best-before dates from the vast majority of its fresh produce lines. Such a move is crucial, given the considerable impact unused food waste is having.
On this subject Marija Rompani, director of sustainability and ethics at John Lewis Partnership, told Sky News last year: "UK households throw away 4.5 million tonnes of edible food every year, meaning that all the energy and resources used in food production are wasted. By removing best before dates from our products, we want our customers to use their own judgment to decide whether a product is good to eat or not, which in turn will increase its chances of being eaten and not becoming waste."[v]
Six UK supermarket retailers have also previously signed up to a WWF initiative aiming to halve the environmental impact of the average UK shopping basket by 2030. Recently, in early March, Lidl GB became the first discount retailer to join the scheme, taking its place alongside supermarket giant Tesco who were the founding partner with the WWF. Four of the other large supermarkets are also members these are: Co-op, M&S, Sainsbury’s, and Waitrose who all joined the ‘Retailers Commitment for Nature’ during COP 26 in 2021[vi].
[i] Retailer Net Zero Collaboration Action Programme | WRAP
[ii] Scope 3 GHG Measurement and Reporting Protocols for Food and Drink | WRAP
[iii] Retailer Net Zero Collaboration Action Programme | WRAP
[iv] Circular economy successes: leading UK supermarkets tackle food waste & tech retailer Currys promotes refurbished devices | Zero Carbon Academy
[v] Waitrose to scrap 'best before' dates and urge shoppers to 'use their own judgement' | UK News | Sky News
[vi] John Lewis Partnership wants to significantly reduce its impact on the environment, reveals its ‘plan for nature’ | Zero Carbon Academy
Lauren has extensive experience as an analyst and market researcher in the digital technology and travel sectors. She has a background in researching and forecasting emerging technologies, with a particular passion for the Videogames and eSports industries. She joined the Critical Information Group as Head of Reports and Market Research at GRC World Forums, and leads the content and data research team at the Zero Carbon Academy. “What drew me to the academy is the opportunity to add content and commentary around sustainability across a wealth of industries and sectors.”
