Apparently, it’s just too expensive and time-consuming to achieve, and the take-up by other retailers hasn’t been great.
As Tesco is the major retailer in the UK and a leading player globally, did this seeming u-turn on its green policy sound the death knell for carbon labelling initiatives the world over?
If Tesco had opted out, who would be next? Fortunately, this concern was assuaged by reports that the company is ‘reviewing its options’, and, according to a Carbon Trust spokesperson quoted in The Guardian, the Trust remains confident that its ‘existing label customers and new customers will see the value of an internationally recognised carbon label backed by expert independent certification’.
For one, Pepsico, which has invested heavily in securing carbon footprint labels for its Walkers crisps and Tropicana orange juice brands, remains committed and was reported to see them as a way of ‘helping consumers and businesses understand and reduce emissions’.
In addition, on the same day as reports of Tesco’s shift began to filter out, the British Retail Consortium (BRC) introduced its new research findings evaluating the performance of all UK retailers in achieving their stated environmental ambitions. It identified many areas in which the retailers have already exceeded their targets.
“It is clear (from the report) that the retail industry is taking climate change seriously,” said the Carbon Trust spokesperson, while Forum for the Future said: “This report is important as it signals a retail sector that is aware … that ‘business as usual’ won’t secure future prosperity.”
Encouraging noises indeed.
“Despite current economic difficulties, retailers are continuing to work with their suppliers to meet tougher sustainability goals,” said Bob Gordon, head of environment, BRC, who outlined that retailers are ‘on target’ for cutting energy related emissions from buildings by 25% by 2013 (compared with 2005 levels and allowing for growth), and ‘on target’ for halving their emissions from refrigeration by 2013. In the areas of transport and waste, retailers have exceeded targets.
Yet, fulfilling on sustainable sourcing initiatives (see Food & Beverage International’s February issue to read more) and establishing the full life cycle analyses and information needed for carbon footprint labels does present challenges.
Yes, these are exceedingly complex issues, and yes, they do take up an enormous amount of time & commitment, and yes, they are likely to be expensive in the short-term to implement. However, when I contemplate the cost of not doing them vs the benefits of doing them successfully, well there’s little contest.
Claire Rowan is managing editor of Food & Beverage International magazine. Subscribe here.
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