Tesco, a supermarket giant based in the UK, has set a goal of  cutting the carbon footprint of its entire supply chain by 30% by 2020 as part of long-term plans to become a zero-carbon business.  Sir Terry Leahy, Tesco's chief executive, said that the supermarket giant would focus on consumer behavior as it aims to become a zero-carbon operation by 2050.

Tesco is not only working with their suppliers to reduce packaging but also has modified their Buy One Get One Free program to a Buy One, Get One Free - Later in which consumers can pick up the free product in the future when it is needed.  They also publish the carbon footprints of 114 products on their labels and is aiming to work out the carbon footprints of 500 products by the end of the year.

Leahy said: "Of course, we are taking action because it is the right thing to do, because we don't want our children and grandchildren to face the chaos of climate change.  Other measures announced by Tesco today include using green systems and technology as well as support for a universal accountancy standard for carbon in products and services to provide a basis for carbon co-operation between businesses and promote carbon numeracy among consumers.

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A recent AMR Research study shows that although companies are not currently measuring their greenhouse gas emissions, they expect increased focus on green initiatives in 2010. The report surveyed 313 corporations and showed greenhouse gas emissions will be the leading initiative for 20 percent of the respondents in 2010, a higher priority than any other initiative.

The report acknowledges the recession as a factor in affecting environmental awareness and companies are linking sustainability to driving continuous improvement and adding to the bottom line. When asked to identify the most important factors when it comes to going green, the leading response was “Business Opportunities”. Sustainability as viewed by companies has shifted from a nice to have to a need to have.

http://www.amrresearch.com/Content/View.aspx?compURI=tcm:7-43922