RetailDetail EU
Europe - EN
  • België - NL
  • Belgique - FR
  • Nederland - NL
  • Europe - EN
  • About us
  • Contact
  • Subscribe
  • Sign in user
  • News
    • Food
    • Fashion
    • Home
    • Electronics
    • Beauty/Care
    • DIY/Garden
    • Leisure
    • General
  • RetailDetail Plus
  • Events
  • Hunts
  • RetailHub
  • Advertising & Partnerships
    • EVENT PARTNERSHIPS
    • PRINT ADVERTISING
    • ONLINE ADVERTISING
RetailDetail EU
Europe - EN
  • België - NL
  • Belgique - FR
  • Nederland - NL
  • Europe - EN
  • About us
  • Contact
  • Sign in user
  • News
    • Food
    • Fashion
    • Home
    • Electronics
    • Beauty/Care
    • DIY/Garden
    • Leisure
    • General
  • RetailDetail Plus
  • Events
  • Hunts
  • RetailHub
  • Advertising & Partnerships
    • EVENT PARTNERSHIPS
    • PRINT ADVERTISING
    • ONLINE ADVERTISING
thumb
Written by Jorg Snoeck
In this article
Share article
  • facebook
  • instagram
  • twitter
  • linkedin
  • email

Tesco joins The Sustainability Consortium

icon
Fashion14 December, 2011

Tesco, the biggest British supermarket chain, has joined The Sustainability Consortium (TSC). In doing so, Tesco follows Marks & Spencer to become the second leading British retailing member of this organisation, that aims to drive innovation in consumer product sustainability.

 

The Sustainable Consumption Institute, a part of the University of Manchester financed by Tesco, has joined the Consortium as an academic member. This Institute researches ways to help households, businesses, governments, charities and NGOs move to more environmentally sustainable living. Tesco is the first high-profile retailer to join TSC since the consortium opened its European headquarters in The Hague early November.

First Wal-Mart, now Tesco, who’s next?

The Sustainability Consortium is originally a Wal-Mart initiative, as the world’s biggest retailer wanted a sustainability index on a product level. In 2009, two American universities founded the consortium as an independent institute, heavily funded by Wal-Mart. Later on, the Dutch Wageningen Universiteit & Research centre became the European academic partner for TSC.

 

Now Tesco joined the consortium, TSC expects that others will follow: “An important player like Tesco joining the consortium is a huge step forward. We are talking with several important parties, but thus far, there is no other news to report. Just like Tesco, new members want to announce news like this themselves”, says Koen Boone, executive director for TSC in Europe. “What we can say however, is that we do expect other prominent European retailers to join as well.”

Director for Climate change

Tesco makes no secret of its efforts to make operations more sustainable. The retailer has even appointed a ‘director climate change’ in Helen Fleming. “Successful collaboration between leading global businesses – whether they are retailers, wholesalers, suppliers or producers – will go a long way in helping companies reduce their carbon emissions and thereby reduce the carbon footprints of the products we sell”, she says. “We’re proud to be a member of The Consortium and look forward to collaborating with the many other businesses and organizations.”

 

Bonnie Nixon, executive director of TSC, is happy to see his consortium becoming a truly worldwide organisation with Tesco joining its ranks. “Their expertise and leadership in both the retail and sustainability community will be a great asset as we work towards delivering the science and tools to drive a new generation of sustainable products.”

TesCO2 or green-washing?

Tesco’s sustainability policy focuses on CO2 reduction, to the extent that Tesco has changed its name to “TesCO2” in some stores. The British market leader wants to be completely carbon neutral by 2050 and has started to monitor the complete carbon footprint of over 1,100 products. Moreover, several of its supermarkets in the UK, Thailand and the Czech Republic already have a zero emission of carbon dioxide.

 

Certain critics however doubt the nature of Tesco’s attempts to reduce CO2 emissions: they claim these attempts are mostly “token gestures” and clear examples of ‘green-washing’.
 

Stay up-to-date

Receive our free newsletters and do not miss out on the latest retail news.

Subscribe
logo

Tesco, the biggest British supermarket chain, has joined The Sustainability Consortium (TSC). In doing so, Tesco follows Marks & Spencer to become the second leading British retailing member of this organisation, that aims to drive innovation in consumer product sustainability.   The Sustainable Consumption Institute, a part of the University of Manchester financed by Tesco, has joined the Consortium as an academic member. This Institute researches ways to help households, businesses, governments, charities and NGOs move to more environmentally sustainable living. Tesco is the first high-profile retailer to join TSC since the consortium opened its European headquarters in The Hague...

More on Fashion
See more
  • icon
    Fashion26 May, 2023
    H&M adds novelties to Antwerp flagship

    A rental service, click&collect lockers, self-scanning checkouts, a Lego corner...: H&M is introducing quite a few new features to its store on the Meir in Antwerp, which reopened Friday after a thorough renovation.

  • icon
    Fashion24 May, 2023
    Urban Outfitters struggles with its flagship brand

    The Urban Outfitters holding returned to profit last quarter, after a decline in 2022. However, the eponymous Urban Outfitters chain remains in the doldrums, while wholesale sales are also down.

  • icon
    Fashion23 May, 2023
    Zara goes secondhand, Massimo Dutti goes US

    Inditex has increased its lead even more since the pandemic. All lights are on to grow even further, believes CEO Oscar García Maceiras.

Events
  • 15
    Jun
    Human Resources & People Congress
  • 29
    Jun
    Food Congress
Most read
  • icon
    Fashion28 April, 2023
    H&M merges Weekday and Monki
  • icon
    Leisure16 May, 2023
    Decathlon launches subscription service in Belgium
  • icon
    Food2 May, 2023
    Flash delivery company Getir now also targets Flink
  • icon
    General15 May, 2023
    Action launches Belgian webshop
Follow RetailDetail
  • socialFacebook
  • socialTwitter
  • socialInstagram
  • sociallinkedIn
footer-logo
RetailDetail, the leading b2b-retailcommunity in the Benelux, keeps retail professionals up-to-date by means of online & offline publications, retail events, inspiring retail hunts and the unique co-creation platform retailhub, where retailers and their suppliers can experience the future of shopping.
RetailDetail Mailing Address:
Kolveniersstraat 7, bus 26 
2000 Antwerp
Visiting address:
Stadsfeestzaal – Meir 78 
2000 Antwerp
How to reach us:
Directions
© 2023 RetailDetail
general conditions | privacy policy
+32 3 500 89 59 info@retaildetail.be
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept All”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
Accept All
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT