Environmental gains delivered after massive green investment by Tesco have secured the ‘Carbon Trust Standard’ for the UK’s greenest supermarket chain.

The Carbon Trust Standard is awarded only to companies that pass rigorous, independent investigation into how they are cutting carbon footprint and reducing their direct impact on climate change.

Key to winning this symbol of real change is achieving a reduction in annual carbon emissions. Tesco has made absolute reductions in carbon emissions, as well as reductions on the Carbon Trust Standard’s ‘intensity’ measure, which recognises environmentally-efficient business growth.

Tesco executive director, Lucy Neville-Rolfe, said:”Gaining the Carbon Trust Standard is incredibly important because it confirms, independently, that we are delivering on our ambitious plans to fight climate change as a successful, growing business. Tesco’s commitment to cutting our carbon footprint – among other key environmental targets – is central to our business strategy. I’m delighted that Tesco and the many people here who work on climate change have received this recognition.”

Carbon Trust Standard general manager, Harry Morrison, said: “Tesco’s achievement of the Carbon Trust Standard represents tangible progress in carbon footprint reduction and an ongoing commitment to minimising its impact. Amidst an array of confusing environmental claims, businesses need a way to prove they have not only measured but actually reduced their carbon emissions year-on-year. The Carbon Trust Standard is the only scheme that recognises carbon reduction in this way.

“Most businesses are now aware of the threat of climate change and of the need to reduce their energy consumption and carbon emissions but many do not see these issues as business priorities in the current economic climate. However, Tesco has demonstrated that successful businesses can grow and simultaneously cut their emissions in absolute terms with a positive impact on the bottom line. We urge other businesses to be inspired by Tesco’s achievement and take similar action.”

Tesco has also unveiled plans to build the world’s first zero-carbon store – at Ramsey, Cambridgeshire – later this year. The store will even sell surplus energy, generated by an on-site Combined Heat and Power plant, back to the National Grid. Earlier this year, Tesco opened Cheetham Hill store in Manchester with a 70 per cent lower carbon footprint than an equivalent store in 2006 would have had.

And to help customers make informed choices, Tesco is extending its carbon footprint label scheme to three additional product groups – bread, milk and recycled paper.

Tesco will also trial electric car charging points in some of our stores, including in London.