UK Supermarkets Failing to Meet Climate Commitments, Research Finds

Between 2014 and 2024, the UK’s 10 largest supermarket chains have made over 600 climate and sustainability commitments. However, according to a new report, most promises have not resulted in tangible, measurable progress.

The report, published by Feedback Global and supported by The Food Foundation, reveals that while supermarkets have made pledges at a pace of nearly one every six days, most lack clear, measurable targets or transparent reporting.

Regarding Scope 3 emissions — the emissions stemming from supply chains comprising about 90% of total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions — nine of the 10 retailers have set targets. Yet, only four companies (Aldi, Waitrose, Co-op, and Morrisons) publish specific updates on their progress in the UK.

Thanks to the mandatory Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting (SECR) framework, all major retailers have set goals for Scope 1 and 2 emissions, which cover emissions from their direct operations and energy consumption. This contrast between the results from voluntary and regulated commitments underscores the effectiveness of governmental regulations in reducing corporate emissions.

The report also highlights a significant shortfall in supermarkets’ commitments to healthy and sustainable diets. Among the 49 pledges in this area, barely half include measurable targets. Furthermore, only 30 of 57 commitments have set precise target percentages with deadlines.

Even more concerning, just four retailers have embraced volume-based (tonnage) sales targets, which are considered a best practice for tracking shifts in food sales.

The Food Foundation’s senior business and investor engagement manager, Rebecca Tobi, said: “While all UK supermarkets are signed up to a huge number of commendable schemes working towards net-zero and more sustainable diets, we are just not seeing the pace of progress we so urgently need for both people and planet.”

The report also sheds light on how supermarket pricing and promotions contradict their sustainability goals. A detailed analysis of six major retailers—Aldi, Asda, Iceland, Morrisons, Sainsbury’s, and Tesco—found that 13% of all price promotions in March 2024 were for meat and dairy products, with 4.6% specifically promoting processed meat. In contrast, only 7.4% of promotions were dedicated to fruit and vegetables.

The disparity is even starker when examining multibuy offers. Approximately 18% of these deals were for meat and dairy products, including 10.6% for processed meats, compared to just 5.3% for fruits and vegetables. The only exception was Lidl GB, which has set a target to increase plant-based protein sales.

Price remains a critical obstacle for many consumers trying to switch to more sustainable food options. Plant-based milk, for example, costs on average 55% more than dairy milk, and plant-based meat alternatives are a staggering 73% more expensive than their meat-based counterparts. This price gap makes plant-based products less accessible to low-income households. At the same time, high-income families are more likely to purchase such alternatives.

The Climate Change Committee (CCC) has warned that if current trends persist, agriculture will become the UK’s largest emitter of greenhouse gases by 2050. The food sector, which already accounts for around 35% of the UK’s territorial GHG emissions, is a key target for reducing emissions and improving public health.

The CCC recommends that reducing meat and dairy consumption could save the UK almost £1bn in health benefits. Yet, most supermarkets have not set targets or developed strategies to promote such a dietary shift.

The report concludes that voluntary measures have fallen short and urges the UK government to introduce mandatory reporting in its upcoming national food strategy. It recommends that large food retailers be legally required to disclose key data: Scope 3 emissions, the percentage of sales from healthy products, and the ratio of plant to animal protein in their sales.

In addition, it advocates that businesses set SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound) targets to drive real progress and align their operations with sustainability goals.

Tobi added: “We are running out of time to avert the climate crisis and as this research very clearly shows it’s becomingly increasingly obvious that businesses simply can’t do this on their own.

“So, it’s critical that the Government make sure that the new food strategy ensures mandatory reporting against key health and sustainability metrics and brings in regulation that truly levels the playing field for all food businesses.”