Morrisons Net Zero Plan Gains SBTi Approval, Expands to Farm and Land Emissions
UK supermarket Morrisons has received Science Based Targets initiative validation for its net zero strategy, significantly expanding its scope to include agriculture and land use emissions from its supply chain.
Supermarket’s Climate Strategy Receives Crucial Countersign
UK grocer Morrisons has secured a significant confirmation for its climate targets, with its detailed net zero roadmap officially approved by the Science Grounded Targets initiative (SBTi). This countersign confirms that the company’s plans align with the rearmost climate wisdom and the pretensions of the Paris Agreement. Crucially, the validated strategy represents a major expansion in ambition, moving beyond direct operations to formally address the substantial emissions generated within its supply chain, particularly from husbandry and land use. This move tackles the order frequently described as the most gruelling for retailers: Scope 3 emissions.
According to analysis of the announcement, this SBTi backing marks a vital step for Morrisons, advancing external, scientific credibility to its sustainability commitments. The supermarket has pledged to achieve net zero across its own operations by 2035, and crucially, across its entire value chain — including farms and suppliers — by 2040. This broader compass acknowledges that the largest environmental footprint for a food retailer lies not in its stores and lorries, but in the fields and processes that produce the food it sells.
Focusing on the Farm: Agriculture and Land Use
The most notable aspect of the recently validated plan is its unequivocal and expanded focus on agrarian emissions. The food production system is a major contributor to greenhouse gases through animal methane, fertiliser use, soil management, and land-use changes. Morrisons’ strategy now includes specific, time-bound targets for reducing emissions from these sources within its supply chain.
The company plans to work directly with its network of British growers and farmers to apply and scale sustainable husbandry practices. Initiatives are anticipated to include precision husbandry techniques to optimise fertiliser use, investment in soil health and carbon sequestration systems, adoption of renewable energy on farms, and innovations in animal feed to reduce methane emissions. This cooperative approach aims to decarbonise the core of its product offering while supporting the agrarian community through transition.
The Ripple Effect Across the Supply Chain
By setting SBTi-validated targets that include Scope 3 emissions, Morrisons is effectively placing new expectations on its suppliers and partners. This creates a ripple effect that can accelerate climate action far beyond the supermarket’s direct control. Suppliers will be incentivised to measure, report, and reduce their own carbon footprints to remain aligned with Morrisons’ procurement standards.
This systemic approach is essential for genuine progress. It moves sustainability from a supplementary concern to an integrated element of the business relationship between retailer and supplier. The strategy also involves continued efforts in Morrisons’ direct operations, such as increasing energy efficiency, transitioning to 100% renewable electricity, and reducing emissions from its transport fleet and refrigeration systems.
Balancing Ambition with Practical Delivery
While the target confirmation sets a clear direction, the focus now shifts to the complex task of implementation. Achieving reductions in agrarian emissions involves navigating variable conditions, technological adoption rates, and upfront costs for growers. Success will depend on long-term partnerships, shared investment models, and potentially developing new market mechanisms for sustainably produced goods.
The expansion of its net zero plan reinforces Morrisons’ positioning in a competitive retail market where environmental credentials are increasingly important to consumers, investors, and regulators. The SBTi’s stamp of approval provides a robust framework against which the company’s progress can be measured and held accountable. As the 2035 and 2040 deadlines approach, the scale of collaboration with its agrarian supply chain will be the true test of whether these ambitious, science-grounded targets can be translated into tangible reductions on the ground, transforming the path from farm to fork.
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