Tesco has cut transport emissions per case delivered by as much as 14 percent in the UK in the last two years, on top of a 50 percent reduction achieved between 2006 and 2012.
The UK retailer, which has set a goal to be a zero-carbon business by 2050, has received a Carbon Trust award in recognition of its efforts to cut carbon emissions across its freight transport operations.
These reductions have been achieved by reducing journeys made by road as well as Tesco’s “F plan.” Delivery trucks are now fuller, they drive for fewer miles and fuel economy has improved, the company says. In 2013 alone, Tesco cut over 8 million miles from the UK roads by following the plan.
New distribution centers are positioned so trucks don’t have to drive as far, and Tesco is trialing new vehicle technology including dual-fuel trucks that can run on both diesel and biogas and more aerodynamic trailers.
The company is also expanding its use of trains and ships instead of delivery trucks across Europe. And Tesco is using more sea routes, which has reduced road miles by more than 80 percent.
Tesco also belongs to the UK retail industry body the British Retail Consortium — other members include McDonald’s, Asda and Sainsbury’s — whose members have pledged to reduce their absolute carbon emissions from retail operations 25 percent by 2020 based on 2005 levels.