UK retailer Tesco is setting its sights on a new target for its energy of hitting the net zero energy mark – in 2035 – some 15 years sooner than it planned as it seeks to quell the use of electricity production and transportation emissions.
To help acheive the quicker timeframe, Tesco has enlisted the partnership of Low Carbon, a renewable energy investor, that will help it create three new solar farms in Essex, Anglesey and Oxfordshire. Tesco says this amazing endeavor, using 100% renewable energy, will spare the planet of more than 30,000 tonnes of Co2 per year, or the same as removing 14,000-plus car from the road.
Tesco already has in its plan windfarms to help in the quest, along with solar panels having been added to 60 of its locations.
“We are delighted to support Tesco in its journey towards sourcing 100% of energy from renewable sources by 2030,” Roy Bedlow, Chief Executive and Founder of Low Carbon, said. “Partnering with forward thinking companies like Tesco will help speed the adoption of renewable energy at scale on the path to achieving a truly low-carbon economy.”
Tesco’s model also includes a fleet of 30 electric vans it has put into operation this month alone. The retailer says that by 2028, it hopes to have all vehicles be electric. To help achieve the goal, Tesco is “rolling out 2,400 charging points for customers across 600 stores, with 400 stores due to be fitted with the chargers by the end of 2020.”
“It’s great news to see Tesco, as one of Britain’s flagship businesses, not only bringing forward the date of its longer-term commitment to net zero, but also pushing ahead with real action in the here and now to confront the climate emergency,” Tanya Steele, CEO of WWF UK, with whom Tesco has partnered in its ambition to halve the environmental impact of the average shopping basket, said. “Renewable energy and electric vehicles are essential ingredients for the economic recovery we want to see in the UK.”
