Morrisons secures SBTi approval for expanded net zero targets

Morrisons has secured independent validation for a strengthened set of climate targets, committing to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions across its entire value chain by 2050.

The supermarket said its revised targets had been approved by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) and now cover emissions from agriculture and land use, alongside its operations and supply chain. The targets are aligned with the Paris Agreement’s 1.5C pathway.

Under the updated plan, Morrisons aims to cut its Scope 1 and 2 emissions – those from its own operations and energy use – by 80% by 2035 and by 90% by 2050, compared with a 2019 baseline.

The company is also expanding its focus on Scope 3 emissions, which account for about 98% of its total footprint and include emissions from suppliers and product lifecycles. It has committed to reducing Scope 3 energy and industrial emissions by 40% by 2035, alongside a 48.5% cut in forest, land and agriculture (FLAG) emissions over the same period.

By 2050, Morrisons is targeting a 90% reduction in absolute Scope 3 emissions and a 72% reduction in Scope 3 FLAG emissions.

The SBTi, a partnership between CDP, the United Nations Global Compact, the World Resources Institute and the World Wide Fund for Nature, assesses whether corporate climate targets are consistent with climate science and global temperature goals.

Morrisons said it has already reduced its total carbon emissions by 22% since 2019, including a 27% cut in Scope 1 and 2 emissions. It attributed the progress to energy efficiency measures, changes to logistics and collaboration with suppliers.

The retailer said further progress would depend on continued cooperation across its supply chain and wider industry, particularly in addressing agricultural and land-use emissions.

Andrew Edlin, head of sustainability at Morrisons, said: “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.

“We are taking upstream and downstream emissions of our operations into account including emissions created in making products, in our stores, transport systems and then end of life emissions too. Additional targets for forest, land and agriculture emissions reflect the importance of land-use and agricultural impacts across the business.

He added: “Independent approval gives us a clear roadmap to achieve meaningful, measurable reductions. We also recognise that industry-wide collaboration will be essential in achieving these goals and we are committed to working in partnership to deliver them.”