Morrisons has pledged to be the first supermarket to be completely supplied by net-zero carbon emission British farms by 2030.
Over the next nine years, Morrisons will work with its 3,000 farmers and growers to produce affordable net-zero carbon meat, poultry, fruit, and vegetables, it said.
Greenhouse Gas
Agriculture currently accounts for 10% of all greenhouse gas emissions in the UK.
Morrisons expects that the first products to reach net-zero carbon status will be eggs (as early as 2022), followed by lamb, fruit, vegetables, pork, and beef in the years to follow.
New research reveals that two-thirds of people in the UK consider the environmental impact of the food they eat, highlighting the importance of the move towards net-zero emissions.
The National Farmers Union has asked farmers to work towards a 2040 net-zero goal, while other supermarkets are working towards a 2035 target.
Farm Models
The retailer will commence the process by working with a selection of meat and produce farmers to create net-zero carbon farm ‘models’.
Together with the farmers, they will look at the emissions picture through the whole lifecycle of farm produce – from germination to leaving the farmgate for a Morrisons store.
Once a workable blueprint has been established, the models will then be shared with all Morrisons farmers, so that all food can be produced in this net zero carbon way.
The blueprint will analyse practices such as rearing different animal breeds, using low food-mile feedstuffs, using renewable energy and low emission housing, and cutting down fuel and fertiliser use as areas where changes can be made.
Tackling Climate Change
David Potts, chief executive of Morrisons, said, “Climate change is one of the biggest challenges for our generation and growing food is a key contributor to greenhouse gas emissions.
"As British farming’s biggest supermarket customer, we’re in a unique position to guide our farms and help lead changes in environmental practices. It’s years ahead of industry expectations - and an ambitious target - but it’s our duty to do it.”
Morrisons net-zero carbon UK agriculture target forms part of its plan to become net-zero for emissions by 2040, in line with the international Paris Agreement.
© 2021 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. Article by Conor Farrelly. Click subscribe to sign up to ESM: The European Supermarket Magazine.
