In a significant shift for the UK retail sector, supermarket chain Morrisons has announced it is postponing its net zero emissions target. The Bradford-based grocer, which ranks as the fifth-largest in the country, has pushed back its goal by 15 years, setting a new deadline of 2050.
A Revised and Expanded Climate Strategy
This move makes Morrisons the first major UK supermarket to publicly delay its net zero ambition. Crucially, the company stated that its revised plan will now encompass emissions from its entire supply chain, not just its own operations. This broader scope includes factors often harder to control, such as emissions from agriculture and land use, known as FLAG (Forest, Land and Agriculture) emissions.
Andrew Edlin, Head of Sustainability at Morrisons, explained the decision. "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. Edlin emphasised that the new strategy accounts for emissions from product creation, store operations, transport, and even end-of-life product disposal.
Progress Made and the Road Ahead
Despite the delay, Morrisons reported tangible progress in reducing its carbon footprint. The company claims to have achieved a 22% reduction in total carbon emissions since 2019. This was accomplished through various initiatives, including energy-efficiency projects, adopting lower-carbon logistics, and working closely with suppliers.
Edlin highlighted that collaboration across the industry would be vital to meeting the new 2050 objective. The supermarket, which competes with rivals like Tesco, Sainsbury's, Asda, Aldi, and Lidl, is now aligning its timeline with the UK government's overarching net zero target.
Political Context and Industry Implications
The announcement comes amid continued political focus on climate policy. Labour's Ed Miliband, the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, recently reinforced the government's stance in an interview with the Guardian. "This Labour government is all in on action to tackle the climate crisis because it is the way to secure better lives for people in Britain today and protect future generations tomorrow," Miliband stated.
He positioned the government's plan as one of "ambitious actions" aimed at unleashing investment and creating jobs, while criticising political opponents for taking an "anti-jobs, anti-science path." Miliband added that the government would be judged on its climate actions, with the upcoming COP30 summit serving as a key platform.
Morrisons' decision to postpone its target while broadening its scope raises important questions about the practical challenges faced by large retailers in decarbonising complex supply chains. It sets a precedent that other major grocers will now be watched to see if they follow, marking a pivotal moment for environmental accountability in the UK supermarket sector.
