As environmental concerns escalate globally, the imperative for sustainable solutions intensifies. In India, where rapid urbanization and industrial growth compound these challenges, the call for action resonates louder than ever. Manish Sethi, Director, Property at Tesco Business Solutions, Bengaluru, a sustainability champion with over 30 years of experience leading multinational teams, recognizes this critical issue. He isn't just managing the business – he's driving the company towards a greener future. In this insightful article, Sethi dives into Tesco's innovative solutions, from harnessing solar power to fostering urban biodiversity, showcasing how a global leader is tackling envioronmental challenges head-on and offering a sustainable blueprint for corporations worldwide.
Powering Progress: How Tesco Has Embraced Eco-Friendly Solutions for a Greener Tomorrow
“21st Century choice: Look after our planet, and it will look after us, or don’t and face the consequences”
Phil Harding
India is grappling with significant environmental challenges driven by rapid industrialization, urbanization, and population growth. Both the government and corporations are introducing schemes aimed at addressing these challenges through targeted sustainable initiatives. In today's world, companies of all sizes hold substantial sway over how we interact with the environment and our journey towards a sustainable future.
At Tesco, sustainability is not merely a buzzword; it is a foundational principle embedded in every aspect of our operations. Our commitment to sustainability permeates all levels of our organization, influencing our customers, the communities we support, and the planet. We are actively combating climate change, with ambitious goals to achieve carbon neutrality in our operations by 2035 and net zero across our entire footprint by 2050.
As a leading food retailer, we recognize our pivotal role in transforming the food industry. Our commitment extends to how food is grown, produced, and consumed, acknowledging that food waste contributes to 8-10% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Our waste reduction strategy begins with prevention. In 2013, we became the first UK retailer to publicly report our food waste figures, using data and insights to improve our forecasting and ordering processes. Furthermore, we have implemented numerous initiatives across our stores to curb food waste. In the UK and Ireland, Tesco has not sent any food waste directly to landfill since 2009. Our packaging strategy follows the 4Rs principle: Remove, Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle. This commitment has led to the removal of over 2.3 billion pieces of plastic from our UK operations, underscoring our dedication to sustainability and environmental stewardship.
At Tesco in Bengaluru, we've made significant strides in fostering a sustainable environment, particularly on our campus. One of our primary achievements is our transition to renewable energy, with 96% of our energy needs now met by solar power. This switch not only reduces greenhouse gas emissions but also promotes energy independence and long-term cost savings. Additionally, we've eliminated harmful refrigerants like R22, which depletes the ozone layer, to ensure a healthier planet for future generations.
Our commitment to sustainability extends to various other initiatives as well. We've embraced electric vehicles (EVs) for clean and efficient mobility, significantly reducing air pollution and promoting sustainable urban development. By going paperless and implementing effective waste management strategies, we aim to minimize our landfill contributions, repurposing or recycling most of our waste. We've also achieved significant water savings through innovative conservation measures, despite increased occupancy. Furthermore, our campus boasts thousands of plants and trees, enhancing biodiversity and creating a pleasant work environment. In our transportation efforts, we've optimized staff trips to be eco-friendlier and more inclusive, supporting diversity by introducing female drivers and retrofitting seats for colleagues with disabilities. By operating electric vehicles for 75% of staff transportation trips, we achieve a monthly carbon footprint savings of 25.5 tonnes. Additionally, by maintaining a lush green organic garden with over 50,000 plants and 524 trees, we generate around 71,000 kilograms of oxygen every year, also aiding in carbon sequestration.
In conclusion, Tesco's comprehensive approach to sustainability exemplifies how businesses can drive meaningful environmental change. By embedding sustainable practices into every facet of our operations, we are not only mitigating our impact on the planet but also setting a benchmark for the industry.As we continue to innovate and lead by example, we remain steadfast in our goal to create a positive, lasting impact as we serve our customers, communities, and planet a little better every day.
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