UK supermarket giant Tesco is working with 2degrees, a social media networking platform for sustainability professionals, to help its suppliers reduce their carbon footprint.

The retailer says it has recognised that its supply chain has a carbon footprint at least ten times greater than its direct footprint and has set a target a reduction target of 30% by 2020.

Working with 2degrees, Tesco has set up a Carbon Reduction Knowledge Hub for its suppliers to share knowledge and best practice on reducing carbon emissions without raising costs or wasting time.

The Knowledge Hub, which has signed up over 200 mainly UK suppliers during a six-month pilot, allows suppliers and Tesco itself to share expertise and experiences.

During the pilot, over 85% of members attended or downloaded webinars, 30% took part in problem-solving discussions and over 500 case studies and documents have been downloaded.

“The 2degrees Knowledge Hub has worked really well and we are looking forward to rolling out the programme to many more of our UK suppliers,” says Tesco’s climate change manager Andrew Hill.

Tesco now wants to bring on board more suppliers, build up a larger library of information and develop a programme of activities to meet suppliers’ needs.

For further information:
www.2degreesnetwork.com/
www.tescoplc.com/

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