Advertiser content
Farming industry needs data clarity to make progress on emissions
Provided by
Tesco plc is a British multinational groceries and general merchandise retailer headquartered in the United Kingdom at its head offices in Welwyn Garden City, England. The company was founded by Jack Cohen in Hackney, London, in 1919.
Standardising data collection and reporting on farms can deliver valuable insights whilst reducing the burden on farmers.
Data collection and reporting will be a crucial aspect of farming’s transition to a more sustainable future. However, despite improvements in recent years, the process still needs to be simplified.
Currently, it’s difficult to get an accurate picture of whether efforts to drive sustainability are effective due to the differing reporting platforms, standards and frameworks that farmers are required to use.
© Tesco
These also entail a huge amount of duplication for farmers, as well as making it challenging for retailers and others in the supply chain to compare data.
Stephen Shields of fresh produce supplier Huntapac explains, “Huntapac typically completes 15 different audits over the year for its customers.
“We’d like to see that simplified, so that the need to repeatedly submit information in different formats is eliminated.”
© Tesco
Stephen adds that standardised data and consistent reporting will help to create a level playing field and allow businesses to benchmark.
“That’s important because this is about evolving together and improving, not penalising those that don’t meet the highest standard.
“Being compared to a business that’s showing a significant carbon reduction because they’re using a different platform, rather than practices that reduce emissions, is not helpful if we all want to move forward.”
As a result, he believes that the introduction of platforms and new technology that allow multiple stakeholders to access data will help.
“To measure, understand and act on emissions, a centralised platform that uses a recognised set of metrics and standards is essential.”
Tesco’s ‘Greenprint for UK Farming’ report further highlights that 77% of the farmers surveyed were concerned by the lack of consistency in environmental standards and assurance, with many having to duplicate information submitted throughout the year.
The report underlines that a common framework, recognised across the industry, is required to eliminate confusion, save time and simplify measurement.
One way in which Tesco is committing to simplify and standardise data is to ensure all their suppliers adhere to the global LEAF Marque environmental standard. This system, through a rigorous audit process, shows that produce has been grown sustainably and with care for the environment across an integrated, whole farm approach.
Tesco’s decision to work with LEAF Marque certification was taken three years ago, and the business is expanding the standard across its suppliers worldwide.
© Tesco
“In the UK, all Tesco growers are now LEAF Marque certified, and the ambition is that our 8000 global growers will be certified by the end of the year,” explains Technical Produce Manager Rebecca Schofield.
She adds that Tesco has worked closely with LEAF to make the process as easy as possible for farmers, offering training and support.
LEAF Marque is a consistent tool that captures a myriad of data on one platform, easing the burden on farmers and helping Tesco to analyse where the risks are, she adds.
“We’ve removed duplication and used the information to identify what we need to focus on and where our growers need more support.”
Standardising metrics is also a focus in other Tesco supply chains. For example, farmers in the Tesco Sustainable Dairy Group receive an annual bespoke carbon assessment report, to help identify emissions hotspots and recommend interventions.
As a result, significant progress has been made, with carbon emissions from this group falling by 8.5% since 2016.
Tesco is also working with Forestry England and NatureMetrics to measure biodiversity using eDNA analysis of soil, water and insects.
© Tesco
This data is converted into simple metrics viewed on its Nature Intelligence platform, so that biodiversity improvements in supply chains can be reported.
Maximising the use of data will be crucial to help farming become more sustainable. As a result, there must be a continued effort to standardise metrics and reporting to help farmers and drive change.