Tesco CEO Ken Murphy has appealed to UK political parties to adhere to net zero commitments.
- Murphy calls for government and industry cooperation to foster large-scale innovation.
- Tesco has launched the UK’s largest field trial of low-carbon fertilisers.
- Initial results show low-carbon fertilisers potentially cut emissions by 50%.
- Expansion of the fertiliser trial is planned for the 2024 growing season.
Tesco CEO Ken Murphy has publicly urged UK political parties to maintain their net zero commitments, which he believes are crucial for providing businesses with the confidence necessary to invest in sustainable practices. This announcement coincides with Tesco’s rapid advancement in agricultural innovation, specifically the expansion of its low-carbon fertiliser field trial—the largest of its kind in the UK.
Speaking at the Reuters Impact event, Murphy emphasised the transformative potential of green innovation within the food industry. He highlighted its capacity to drive cost reductions, secure a sustainable food supply, and encourage green economic growth. Murphy stated, “As we work to protect customers and suppliers from rising costs today, we must also do all we can to safeguard the shopping basket from shocks tomorrow. That means building a more resilient, sustainable, and productive food system.”
While acknowledging that UK investment levels are substantially lower than the OECD average, Murphy is advocating for enhanced collaboration between government and industry. He asserts that such cooperation is essential to facilitate significant advancements in innovation, ensuring long-term stability and confidence regarding policy.
The expansion of Tesco’s low-carbon fertiliser initiative is a practical step towards this goal. By partnering with suppliers, Tesco intends to amplify the use of domestically produced low-carbon fertilisers, which have shown to be an economically viable and less volatile alternative to conventional fertilisers. During the past year, conventional fertiliser costs surged by as much as 140%.
In the initial phase of Tesco’s trial, 1,400 hectares were cultivated with eight distinct low-carbon fertilisers, six of which were UK-manufactured using materials such as food waste and poultry litter. These fertilisers were applied to produce 70,000 tonnes of vegetables like lettuces, carrots, and potatoes, demonstrating effectiveness comparable to traditional fertilisers while reducing emissions by up to 50%.
Plans are set to upscale this trial to 13,000 hectares in the subsequent growing season. Tesco aims to extend this innovative approach to more of its Sustainable Farming Groups, supporting a significant shift towards sustainable agriculture.
The ongoing efforts by Tesco, led by CEO Ken Murphy, highlight a significant push towards sustainable agriculture and the need for supportive government policies.
