Carbon Footprint — Operations: How does Tesco PLC score?

Tesco reports detailed Scope 1 (802,425 tCO₂e) and Scope 2 market-based (5,497 tCO₂e) for FY2024/25, following GHG Protocol methodology. Multi-year tracking shows consistent decline: Scope 1 down 11.12% YoY and 27.39% since 2020, Scope 2 location-based down 32.26% since 2020. Data is published in the annual sustainability report and climate factsheet with third-party limited assurance. Granular breakdown by source (refrigeration, transport, heating) provided.

Carbon Footprint — Supply Chain: How does Tesco PLC score?

Tesco has conducted a comprehensive Scope 3 footprint assessment, estimating total SBTi-scope emissions at 58.9 million tCO₂e (2022/23), with over 90% in the value chain. Key hotspots identified in agricultural products (animal protein, grains, fresh produce). Over 70% of UK/ROI grocery suppliers by value have committed to net-zero. However, full Scope 3 category breakdown is limited in public reporting, and the Scope 3 figure from Tracenable (531,254 tCO₂e) appears to be a partial disclosure on

Emissions Trajectory: How does Tesco PLC score?

Tesco has achieved a 65% absolute reduction in Scope 1 and 2 emissions against its 2015/16 baseline, surpassing its 2025 target of 60% ahead of schedule. Scope 1 decreased 11.12% YoY in FY2024/25 and Scope 2 location-based decreased 32.26% since 2020. This is genuine absolute reduction in operational emissions. However, Scope 3 emissions (~90% of total) have remained relatively stable rather than declining, which limits the overall trajectory score. Total footprint of ~59 million tCO₂e has not s

Energy Source: How does Tesco PLC score?

Tesco is an RE100 member and has achieved 100% renewable electricity across group operations ten years ahead of its 2030 target. The company has signed the UK's largest corporate solar PPA (Cleve Hill Solar Park, 373MW, 15-year deal), multiple wind PPAs, and is installing rooftop solar on stores (aiming for 10% on-site generation by 2030). The strategy goes beyond RECs: majority of renewable electricity from PPAs and on-site generation, with less than 50% from certificates. Scope 2 market-based

Nature & Biodiversity Impact: How does Tesco PLC score?

Tesco has piloted the TNFD LEAP approach with Global Canopy for palm oil supply chains in Indonesia, and participates in SBTN. It has committed to 100% deforestation-free status across primary risk commodities and claims 83% of palm oil is RSPO Segregated certified. However, serious credible criticisms exist: Mighty Earth, Greenpeace, and Ecostorm investigations documented links between Tesco's chicken/pork supply chain and illegal deforestation in the Amazon via Cargill soy. The River Wye pollu

Resource Use & Waste: How does Tesco PLC score?

Tesco has committed to halving food waste by end of 2025 against a 2016/17 baseline and reports that 82% of unsold food fit for human consumption in the UK was diverted to those in need or animal feed. Over 25,000 tonnes of surplus food redistributed through 1,000+ community partners in 2023/24. 99% of UK Own Brand packaging is recyclable. Removed 'best before' dates on selected items. Working toward closed-loop packaging models and circular economy practices. New animal feed facilities divert 1

Water Impact: How does Tesco PLC score?

Tesco acknowledges water as a critical resource and references water conservation efforts including rainwater harvesting and water recycling. However, no specific quantified water footprint data was found in public reporting. The most significant water impact is indirect through the supply chain: the River Wye pollution crisis, caused by phosphorus run-off from intensive poultry units in Tesco's supply chain (via Avara Foods/Cargill), represents a serious documented environmental harm. Natural E

Targets & Commitments: How does Tesco PLC score?

Tesco is one of the first retailers globally to have SBTi-validated net-zero targets across all scopes including FLAG emissions. Targets include: 85% absolute Scope 1&2 reduction by 2030 (from 2015/16), 55% absolute Scope 3 energy/industrial reduction by 2032, 39% absolute Scope 3 FLAG reduction by 2032, net zero by 2050. All targets are absolute, not intensity-based. Reduction-first approach is evident; offsets are only for residual emissions post-2050 using SBTi-aligned removals. 65% Scope 1&2

Transparency & Accountability: How does Tesco PLC score?

Tesco publishes comprehensive annual sustainability reports with TCFD-aligned disclosure. Dedicated governance structure: Corporate Responsibility Committee at board level, Group Planet Committee chaired by Group Product Officer, three steering groups. Executive compensation linked to sustainability targets with 25% PSP weighting. Sustainability-linked bonds with coupon step-up penalties. Independent limited assurance on emissions data. Published climate factsheets and deforestation factsheets.

Controversies & Red Flags: How does Tesco PLC score?

Starting at 8, significant deductions warranted. Mighty Earth, Greenpeace, and Ecostorm documented links between Tesco's meat supply chain and illegal Amazon deforestation via Cargill soy (-2). River Wye pollution crisis directly linked to intensive poultry units supplying Tesco through Avara Foods/Cargill, with Natural England downgrading the river (-2). Ethical Consumer rates Tesco poorly across multiple categories including agriculture and climate. Guardian reported WWF shelved a critical rep

Tesco PLC Sustainability Score: 34/100

Recently scored: Dentsu, Omnicom, Publicis Groupe, WPP

507 companies scored·4 score updates this week

Tesco PLC·Retail (non-fashion)·Welwyn Garden City, England·Founded 1919·Last verified 21 April 2026

out of 100

Below expectationsPending Review-25 since last review

Tesco has decarbonized operations fast (65% Scope 1&2 reduction) and reached 100% renewable electricity a decade early. But 90% of its 59-million-tonne footprint sits in Scope 3—which hasn't fallen. Supply chain harms are documented: Amazon deforestation via Cargill soy, River Wye pollution from poultry units, and a shelved WWF report. Targets are science-backed but physical impact lags ambition.

No challenges currently filed

The calculation

Every score shows its working.

Same formula for every company. No curve. No private weighting.

SINK = (0.3 × Base + 0.7 × Performance) × Scale

Industry base impact

Retail (non-fashion) sector ceiling.

48 / 100

Performance score

Sum of the 10 rubric questions, scored 0–10 each.

60 / 100

Raw score

Weighted average before scale penalty.

(0.3 × 48) + (0.7 × 60) = 56.4

Scale penalty

Multiplier based on absolute emissions volume — physics-first.

× 0.6

Final score

Rounded. Below expectations.

34 / 100

The ten questions

Where Tesco PLC is strong, and where it isn't.

Strongest on Carbon Footprint — Operations and Energy Source (8/10, 8/10). Weakest on Water Impact and Controversies & Red Flags (3/10, 4/10).

Where the evidence comes from

Every document used, listed.

14 sources used in this assessment. All publicly available. Each row shows which rubric questions it informed.

[1]Self-reported

Tesco Sustainability Report 2025

2025

Q1Q2Q8Q9

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[2]Third-party verified

Tracenable — Tesco GHG Emissions

Ongoing

Q1Q3

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[3]Third-party verified

IFAC — Tesco Finance Teams Partnering to Enable Net-Zero Commitments

Unknown

Q2Q9

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[4]Public record

Procurement Magazine — Yellow Labels: How Tesco Rescued 60 Million Meals

Unknown

Q3Q6

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[5]Public record

Energy Digital — Tesco's Largest Corporate Solar PPA is Shaping UK Renewables

Unknown

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[6]Self-reported

EDF Energy — Powering Tesco Net-Zero Through Site Generation

Unknown

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[7]Third-party verified

Global Canopy — Tesco TNFD Case Study

2024

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[8]Third-party verified

Mighty Earth — Report on Tesco Supply Chain Deforestation

Unknown

Q5Q10

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[9]Third-party verified

Ethical Consumer — Tesco PLC Profile

Ongoing

Q5Q10

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[10]Public record

Supply Chain Digital — Yellow Labels How Tesco Rescued 60 Million Meals

Unknown

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[11]Public record

Business Model Analyst — Tesco PESTLE Analysis

Unknown

View →

[12]Public record

River Action UK — Combatting the Slow Agonising Death of the River Wye

Ongoing

View →

[13]Public record

Smart Energy Decisions — Tesco's Targets Validated by SBTi

Unknown

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[14]Third-party verified

InfluenceMap — Tesco in Climate Change

Ongoing

Q10

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If you believe a source has been misread or a newer version exists, submit a challenge.

Tesco PLC in context

Where Tesco PLC sits among retail (non-fashion) peers.

Among the 42 major retail (non-fashion) brands we've scored, Tesco PLC sits 32nd of 42.

32/42

Tesco PLC's rank

Industry average

Industry low

Industry high

6John Lewis Partnership

7ALDI SOUTH Group

8B&Q

9Argos

10Selfridges

11Lidl

12Currys

14Wickes

21IKEA

22TK Maxx

23Harrods

24Specsavers

25Superdrug Stores

26Wm Morrison Supermarkets

28Boots

31Target

33ASDA

37Sports Direct (Frasers Group plc)

40Walmart

How this score has moved

Tesco PLC's score over time.

Score history begins 8 February 2026.

As Tesco PLC's score updates, the trajectory will appear here.

We're backfilling historical scores for FTSE 100 and S&P 100 companies over the coming weeks.

What's being contested

This score is not currently being contested.

Every challenge is published. We'd rather be corrected than wrong — that's the whole point.

No challenges submitted yet. If you have evidence that contradicts this score, you can challenge any question above — cite a public source and we'll review it.

About Tesco PLC

Tesco is the UK's largest retailer by market share, operating 3,400+ stores across the UK, Ireland, and Central Europe. The company generated £72bn revenue in FY2024/25, making it a dominant grocery and general merchandise player. Tesco ranks among Europe's largest food retailers by scale and supply chain complexity.

Founded

1919

Headquarters

Welwyn Garden City, England

Employees

~341,000

Annual revenue

~£68B (~$89B)

Company website ↗

Check the competitors

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Major food company facing similar Scope 3 agricultural emissions and supply chain deforestation controversies

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FMCG / Consumer Goods

Unilever

Consumer-facing FMCG with documented tensions between net-zero targets and supply chain deforestation allegations

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