Morrisons has announced a significant revision to its environmental goals, becoming the first major UK supermarket chain to formally postpone its net zero carbon emissions target.
A Shift in Timeline for Sustainability
The Bradford-based grocer, which is Britain's fifth-largest, has pushed back its net zero ambition by a full 15 years, moving the target date from 2035 to 2050. The company insists this is not a dilution of its commitment but rather an expansion of its scope. The new plan now encompasses the supermarket's entire supply chain, including emissions from agriculture and land use, known as Flag emissions.
Andrew Edlin, Morrisons' head of sustainability, stated that the updated targets represent a major progression. "The validation of these targets reaffirms Morrisons' commitment to sustainability and the move to a 2050 target across the full value chain is a big step forward in our journey to net zero," he said.
Progress Made and Challenges Ahead
Morrisons reported that it has already achieved a 22% reduction in total carbon emissions since its 2019 baseline. This was accomplished through various initiatives, including operational changes, energy-efficiency projects, adopting lower-carbon logistics, and working closely with suppliers.
Edlin explained the comprehensive nature of the new approach: "We are taking upstream and downstream emissions of our operations into account, including emissions created in making products, in our stores, transport systems and then end-of-life emissions too." He emphasised that industry-wide collaboration would be critical to meeting these broader, more complex goals.
Broader Context and Market Pressure
The revised 2050 target aligns with the UK government's national net zero goal, set under Energy Secretary Ed Miliband. The announcement comes at a challenging time for Morrisons commercially. The chain is working to improve its sales performance following its £7bn takeover by US private equity firm Clayton, Dubilier & Rice in 2021, which left it with substantial debts.
Furthermore, its market position is under threat. German discounter Lidl, with an 8.1% market share, is closing in on Morrisons' 8.3% share. The pressure from competitors like Tesco, Sainsbury's, Asda, and Aldi remains intense, making the balancing act between financial performance and substantial environmental investment a key strategic focus for the supermarket's leadership.
