green grocers how can help make greener shopping easier

Äó=iìÅó=v~íÉë bñÉÅìíáîÉ=ëìãã~êó N ^ÅâåçïäÉÇÖÉãÉåíë tÜ~í=ïÉ=ÇáÇ P qÜÉ=k``Ûë=dêÉÉåáåÖ=pìéÉêã~êâÉíë=éêçàÉÅí qÜÉ=k``Ûë=dêÉÉåáåÖ=pìéÉêã~êâÉíë=`Ü~ääÉåÖÉ Q áë=äÉÇ=Äó=iìÅó=v~íÉë=EäKó~íÉë]åÅÅKçêÖKìâFK qÜÉ=êÉéçêí=Å~êÇë R qÜÉ=k``=ÅçããáëëáçåÉÇ=pìëí~áåI=íÜÉ ~ääá~åÅÉ=Ñçê=ÄÉííÉê=ÑççÇ=~åÇ=Ñ~êãáåÖI=íç qÜÉ=êÉëìäíë NM ÅçåÇìÅí=áåJëíçêÉI=ÜÉäéäáåÉ=~åÇ=ïÉÄëáíÉ NK=`äáã~íÉ=ÅÜ~åÖÉ NN êÉëÉ~êÅÜK=qÜáë=ïçêâ=ï~ë=äÉÇ=Äó=h~íÜ a~äãÉåó=ïáíÜ=dÉãã~=_êó~åI=m~ìä=`äÉÖÖI OK=t~ëíÉW=~Åíáçå=íç=êÉÇìÅÉI=êÉJìëÉ=~åÇ=êÉÅóÅäÉ NS fÇ~=c~ÄêáòáçI=q~ã~êáåÇ=c~äâI=e~åå~Ü=iÉïáëI PK=pìëí~áå~ÄäÉ=ÑáëÜ OM eÉäÉå=p~åÇïÉääI=gçÉ=pÜçêíI=g~ëéÉê=t~ää~ÅÉI wçØ=t~åÖäÉê=~åÇ=e~åå~Ü=táääá~ãëK= QK=pìëí~áå~ÄäÉ=Ñ~êãáåÖ OQ qÜÉ=k``=ïçìäÇ=äáâÉ=íç=íÜ~åâ=wçØ=t~åÖäÉê qÜÉ=ï~ó=Ñçêï~êÇ OT Ñçê=ÜÉê=ÉñéÉêí=ÜÉäé=ïáíÜ=áãéçêí=Ç~í~=~åÇ Å~êÄçå=~å~äóëáëK oÉÑÉêÉåÅÉë=~åÇ=åçíÉë OU qÜÉ=k``=íÜ~åâë=íÜÉ=ÑçääçïáåÖ=éÉçéäÉ=Ñçê ÅçåíêáÄìíáåÖ=íÜÉáê=íáãÉ=~åÇ=éÉêëéÉÅíáîÉë=íç ÇÉîÉäçéáåÖ=~åÇ=êÉîáÉïáåÖ=íÜÉ=êÉëÉ~êÅÜW pìÉ=aáÄÄI=h~íÜ=a~äãÉåóI=`~í=açêÉóI=q~ê~ d~êåÉííI=sáÅâá=eáêÇI=gáää=gçÜåëíçåÉI=_Éêå~êÇ kóã~åI=açìÖä~ë=m~ííáÉI=m~ìä=píÉÉÇã~åI p~ääó=rêÉåI=~åÇ=çíÜÉêëI=áåÅäìÇáåÖ ÅçääÉ~ÖìÉë=~í=íÜÉ=k``K tÉ=~äëç=íÜ~åâ=íÜÉ=êÉí~áäÉêë=Ñçê=éêçîáÇáåÖ ÇÉí~áäë=çÑ=íÜÉáê=Åçãé~åó=éçäáÅáÉëK= qÜÉ=ÅçåíÉåí=çÑ=íÜÉ=êÉéçêí=~åÇ=íÜÉ=îáÉïë ÉñéêÉëëÉÇ=ïáíÜáå=áí=~êÉ=íÜçëÉ=çÑ=íÜÉ=k``K

aÉëáÖåÉÇ=Äó=dêÉÖ=píÉîÉåëçå mÜçíçÖê~éÜëW=é~ÖÉë=RI=OP=~åÇ=ÅçîÉê=Ó dêÉÖ=píÉîÉåëçåX= ~ää=çíÜÉêë=í~âÉå=Äó=êÉëÉ~êÅÜÉêë=ÇìêáåÖ=íÜÉ=ëìêîÉóK Executive summary

Supermarkets – where most of us choices.This research shows that year two supermarkets had scored an for 31 per cent of the average buy our food – have an important there are further simple things that ‘E’ rating ( and European household’s impact on role in helping us do our bit for the supermarkets could do to make Somerfield).We also now have three climate change2.This, coupled with environment. Since our last Greening greener choices easier for supermarkets achieving a ‘B’ (M&S, the fact that, according to the supermarkets report in 20061, we have consumers. Sainsbury’s and ), rather than research organisation IGD, in 2006, seen environmental issues rise higher just one last year (Waitrose). 72 per cent of grocery sales took Our survey was on the agenda, with announcements place in supermarkets3, means that conducted in April 2007.This year, This year, the availability and from a number of big retailers.These retailers have huge potential to help we continue to rate the top eight promotion of sustainable fish announcements have covered a their customers make greener food retailers in the UK on a range has improved across all the variety of issues, from reductions in choices. of consumer-focused environmental supermarkets.We were disappointed unnecessary packaging to new indicators, covering climate change to see some supermarkets slip in ‘green’ labelling schemes for (seasonal food and light bulbs), waste their ratings for stocking and products, such as carbon labelling Aim higher and recycling, sustainable fish and promoting in-season vegetables and and aeroplane stickers on sustainable farming.The report organic fresh produce.As in 2006, We want to see more supermarkets airfreighted goods. keeps many of the same indicators as no retailer did well across every setting challenging targets on green Supermarkets now face the last year, but with a few small indicator, and each has particular issues.There are some good challenge of turning their plans for changes (see panel, page 2). areas that it could focus on to examples of this, such as the M&S greener practices into reality.The improve its performance. ‘Plan A’. Launched in January 2007 NCC welcomes their commitments along with the company’s 2007 We recognise that supermarkets are and supermarkets’ enhanced focus Better scores annual report, Plan A is a five-year doing good things behind the on green issues. However, some plan that holds M&S to account on We found that there have been scenes, such as cutting the waste supermarkets are doing more than 100 green targets4.We want to see improvements since last year across they send to landfill and converting others in this area and it is yet to be other supermarkets following this the ratings. In particular, we are their store electricity supplies to seen if any retailers have gone far example, providing clarity and pleased to see that this year all the green energy. However, the largest enough to encourage and enable ambition in their targets and supermarkets achieved an overall review of the evidence yet shows consumers to change their reporting annually to improve rating of ‘D’ and above whereas last that the food we eat is responsible behaviour and make greener their ratings for all our indicators. 1 lîÉê~ää=ê~íáåÖëI=OMMT qÜÉ=k``Ûë=dêÉÉåáåÖ=pìéÉêã~êâÉíë=áåÇáÅ~íçêë

NK `äáã~íÉ=ÅÜ~åÖÉW=êÉÇìÅáåÖ=`lO Éãáëëáçåë j~êâë=C=péÉåÅÉê b Ä  Seasonal food: availability, promotion and signposting of ten in-season p~áåëÄìêóÛë b Ä UK-sourced vegetables. t~áíêçëÉ b Ä  ^ëÇ~ b Å Seasonality information: ability of supermarket helplines and websites to b provide information on seasonal produce. qÉëÅç Å b `çJçé Ç  Energy-saving light bulbs: the provision and promotion of energy-efficient light bulbs; and the cost of, and price differential between, these and less efficient jçêêáëçåë É= bÇ equivalents. pçãÉêÑáÉäÇ É= Ç

OK t~ëíÉW=~Åíáçå=íç=êÉÇìÅÉI=êÉJìëÉ=~åÇ=êÉÅóÅäÉ

lîÉê~ää=ê~íáåÖëI=OMMS  Recycled content, and content certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC): proportion and promotion of recycled and FSC-certified content in breakfast cereal packaging, toilet paper, kitchen towels.

t~áíêçëÉ b Ä  Carrier bags: incentives to reduce use – or encourage re-use – of carrier bags, including offers of ‘bags for life’. j~êâë=C=péÉåÅÉê bÅ p~áåëÄìêóÛë b Å b b ^ëÇ~ Ç PK pìëí~áå~ÄäÉ=ÑáëÜW=ëìééçêíáåÖ=ëìëí~áå~ÄäÉ=ëçìêÅáåÖ b `çJçé Ç  Availability and promotion of sustainably sourced fish, including those with qÉëÅç Ç Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification5; information, including fish jçêêáëçåë É= species, for standard own-brand fish fingers. pçãÉêÑáÉäÇ É=  Ability of in-store staff and customer helpline to provide information on fish sustainability.

tÉ=ê~íÉÇ=ëìéÉêã~êâÉíë=ìëáåÖ=~å=^Jb=ê~íáåÖ=ëóëíÉã= QK pìëí~áå~ÄäÉ=Ñ~êãáåÖ EáåëéáêÉÇ=Äó=ÉåÉêÖó=ÉÑÑáÅáÉåÅó=ê~íáåÖë=ìëÉÇ=Ñçê=ÑêáÇÖÉë=~åÇ=ÇáëÜï~ëÜÉêëFK

 Organics: provision and promotion of organic options in ten food products. ^=Z=ÉñÅÉääÉåí _=Z=ÖççÇ  Pesticides: the promotion of produce from certified farming methods that use `=Z=ëÜçïáåÖ=éçíÉåíá~ä fewer chemicals and promote biodiversity, such as products certified by the a=Z=êççã=Ñçê=áãéêçîÉãÉåí organisation Linking Environment And Farming (LEAF)6; and the communication b=Z=éççê of pesticide reduction policies.

2 What we did

Our survey was designed to We chose larger stores that could There are some minor modifications As in 2006, we also collected the reflect the experience of ordinary reasonably be expected to provide to last year’s report, as follows: following further information to consumers. Its findings are based a wide range of products and provide additional qualitative • To the climate change indicator, on what we found in store and promotions to reflect the shopping commentary. However, this data was we added the provision and during telephone helpline and experience of consumers in our not included in the ratings: promotion of energy-efficient light website surveys conducted in April two areas. bulbs; and the cost of, and price • Using aggregate UK fruit import 2007.The overall company ratings In addition, we wrote to companies differential between, these and less data from HM Revenue and give equal weight to each of the asking for details of their relevant efficient equivalents. Customs, we compared four areas. policies (details of which are supermarkets on the full range • For the waste indicator, we added We included the top eight food available at www.ncc.org.uk/nccpdf/ of fruit they stock and promote, a section on trees, looking at retailers in our survey:, Co-op, misc/green_grocers_appendix.pdf). assessing how far the fruit has recycled and FSC-certified content Marks & Spencer, Morrisons, We present our findings in the travelled and how likely it is in cardboard packaging and paper Sainsbury’s, Somerfield,Tesco and context of what companies told us, that this fruit will have been products.We also renamed our Waitrose. For each company, we but our ratings are based entirely on airfreighted.This information previous ‘nature’ indicator surveyed two stores; our findings are what was found in store to ensure gives a useful snapshot of each ‘sustainable fish’. based on an average of these.We that our conclusions continue to supermarket’s relative reliance on selected one store in the North-east reflect the everyday shopping • To the sustainable fish indicator we carbon-intensive produce, as well of England centred on Newcastle, experience of consumers. added a new aspect looking at the as giving information on how and one in the Southeast, focusing fish species used in standard own- much produce comes from less on stores close to urban centres, in a brand fish fingers and any wealthy countries. broad cluster touching the counties information provided about the • Researchers recorded whether of Surrey, Berkshire and Hampshire. source and sustainability of those any of the fruit in each fish ingredients. supermarket was marked as • For the climate change indicator, ‘Fairtrade’.This information gives we updated the list of ten seasonal a reasonable impression of each vegetables to reflect the time of supermarket’s commitment to year the survey was conducted. supporting fairly traded produce 3 from less wealthy countries. The NCC’s Greening Supermarkets Challenge

We think supermarkets can do much more to help their customers to make greener Additional issues choices. We therefore make recommendations in the following areas: We have identified other areas where supermarkets could help consumers make greener choices, but which we chose not to cover in this report.

Climate change Sustainable fish They are:  Training staff: specialist staff in store and  staff on helplines to be able to answer We urge supermarkets to: We urge supermarkets to: : supermarkets could basic questions about green issues. create more sophisticated search   Training also needs to be extended to Source, clearly identify and promote UK Set ambitious targets for sustainable facilities to allow searches for UK seasonal produce all year round, in sourcing, including 100 per cent buyers and senior management to get in-season produce, MSC-certified sustainability ingrained in the business. order to help consumers eat seasonally. sustainably sourced fish. fish and organics.

  Promote and stock a wider range of Communicate with customers about There are already some good examples, Examples of good practice show that this energy-saving light bulbs. Reduce the sustainable sourcing, particularly such as Sainsbury’s online shopping facility. can be achieved. Staff at the fish counters price differential of energy-efficient light sustainably sourced fish and MSC A search for the term ‘seasonal’ returns in Waitrose had a high level of bulbs. Phase out the sale of non- certification. Take non-sustainable fish lists of UK produce, flagged ‘Best of understanding about MSC certification efficient bulbs altogether, well before off the shelves and explain to customers British’. Additional information is also and sustainable fish, and had a booklet the government’s target date of 2011. why these species are no longer provided on these products, including available. to give out to customers. Its helpline useful information about food provenance. also gave accurate information Waste on UK in-season produce. Sustainable farming We urge supermarkets to:   Delivery options: expanding delivery Set stricter targets for increasing the  Seasonality: clarity around what is  Go beyond the industry standard for fleets to green vehicles (for example, range of organic and other low meant by the term ‘seasonal’ and reducing the use of plastic carrier bags, renewably powered electric or waste oil) chemical food options. accurate use of it to avoid misleading by providing customers with incentives both for goods delivered to the store consumers. to re-use carrier bags, and by and  Set ambitious targets for eliminating from depots and from the store to phasing them out of use completely. chemicals perceived as risky, including customer’s homes. We want supermarkets to be clearer  pesticides from food production, and for  Make greater use of recycled and FSC- minimising pesticide residues in food. Customer transport to and from stores: with their customers about what is meant certified materials. For example, in Communicate these strategies to encouraging alternatives to car use, by ‘seasonal produce’. There must also packaging and mainstream paper farmers, suppliers and customers. such as buses or online ordering. be clarity around growing methods. For products, set targets for 100 per cent some UK produce, growing seasons have recycled and FSC-certified content. The way that customers travel to and from been extended through heated greenhouses, which may cancel out the  Communicate with consumers about the the supermarket is a major component of need to reduce, re-use and recycle, for the overall environmental impact of food. benefit of local sourcing. example by putting information on all It has been estimated that the carbon packaging on how best to dispose of it. dioxide emissions generated by people driving their food shopping home could equal those generated by the commercial transportation of food within the UK7.

4 The report cards Name:

Date of report

Co- Apri op Asda l 2007 Name: pril 2007 A `äáã~íÉ=ÅÜ~åÖÉ `çããÉåíë Date of report o~íáåÖ Seasonal UK-sourced food

`çããÉåíë Show ing p o~íáåÖ last y otenti eg ear, w al: som in-season v seas ith t e goo `äáã~íÉ=ÅÜ~åÖÉ ial: 64% of een C on veg he pro d pro ing potent round has b How etable portion gress Show However, g ever, l s up f of U since K-sourced. with 69% Energy-saving light bulbs stor ittle p rom 5 K in- Seasonal UK-sourced food was U ’s survey, e, and romot 5% to ce last year no the h ion of 76% lost sin inform elplin seaso . C in 2006. ation e and nality achieved on th websi in t bulbs Poo is asp te prov on-efficien C r: the ect of ided potential: n was some ene north sourc Showing y but there rgy-s -east s ing. d the displa ts. There t~ëíÉ ha aving tore d dominate g equivalen d only bulbs id not Energy-saving light bulbs nergy-savin 20W pri one, and have choice in e on 11W and ce of t costin the sou any promotion Reduce, re-use, recycle he non g £6. th-ea was a price -effi 49, 22 st sto ng bulbs. cient b time re energy-savi ulbs. s the E S howin t g pote han in ntial: r 2006 more y offering B ecycli . How recyc t~ëíÉ ing made b - c ng po ever, led toi progress be e main own ompa ints in no pla let pap Good: t paper as th ny is store stic ba er ertified toile rk to do on for ca meeti and, g Reduce, re-use, recycle FSC-c re is still wo rrier b ng the althou roduct. The eakfast any d ags, it indu gh th brand p ontent of br isince is no stry s e g recycled c ntive t givin tanda C declarin pìëí~áå~ÄäÉ=ÑáëÜ to use g cus rd ckaging. new c tomer cereal pa arrier s bags. e R : there is som C oom g potential th more MS i for im Showin last year wi ncrea provem ent since t could be C sed si ent: improvem till more tha done t nce la availa pìëí~áå~ÄäÉ=ÑáëÜ ut there is s C-certified o high st yea bility options b did sell MS custom light r but had ever, Asda ith ers a MSC more c done. How h fingers, w staff nd to -certif ould ce’ value fis . in sto give b ied pr be ‘Smart Pri y displayed pìëí~áå~ÄäÉ=Ñ~êãáåÖ webs re, on etter oduct prominentl ite. the h inform s to formation elplin ation D in e and via on the number of R his year the oom f potential: t 10% in C o or im Showing reased from rgani provem nes has inc ore could 2 c lines ent: t organic li However, m 007. has d he pro pìëí~áå~ÄäÉ=Ñ~êãáåÖ % in 2007. o While roppe portio 2006 to 18 e items. ffered a few d from n of romote thes in ea organ 13% be done to p organ ch sto ic pro to 9% ic prod re, ma ducts in ucts w ny m were ere on ore no sale. n- D lîÉê~ää=ÅçããÉåíë=~åÇ=ëÅçêÉ

R oom f pr or imp oportio rovem pr n of U ent: i omotio K-so mprov org n of t urced ement anic hese t veget s hav produ o cust ables b e been cts off omers ut the made ered i . Unsa re stil with n stor tisfac l need the e. tory d s to b rom a D to rop in e more lîÉê~ää=ÅçããÉåíë=~åÇ=ëÅçêÉ last year – f C amo roved since ucts but unt of ng has imp f paper prod tential: rati rtification o D Showing po e in FSC ce produce. ments mad K in-season a C. Improve promote U to be done to more needs

6 M&S Name: April 2007 Name: Date of report Date of report o~íáåÖ Morrisons Ap `çããÉåíë ril 2007

ge in the `äáã~íÉ=ÅÜ~åÖÉ nt: little chan `çããÉåíë for improveme (55% in D Room eason produce `äáã~íÉ=ÅÜ~åÖÉ on of UK in-s otion of Seasonal UK-sourced food proporti 7). Some prom d 56% in 200 2006 an gh Union Jack Seasonal UK-sourced food o~íáåÖ produce throu n seasonal messages give S ut confusing howing p stickers b n spinach from otential: a ring offers’ o in-season high prop through ‘sp vegetables ortion of U Portugal. level of 71 , matchin K Spain and /a %. Howev g the 2006 ng n seasonal er, no prom stores, so rati ity in stor otion of C s sold in these helpline e, and the No light bulb did not ha customer Energy-saving light bulbs ve any inf Energy-saving light bulbs not applied. ormation. Good: s ome promo bulbs, tions on e with the ch nergy-sav on of savin eapest sol ing t~ëíÉ communicati g bulbs we d at 99p. otential: good d effici re just tw Energy- Showing p packaging an ent bulbs, ice the pric B tent on cereal t~ëíÉ in th one of th e of non- Reduce, re-use, recycle recycled con chen towel and C e survey. e lowest di % recycled kit ns). fferentials offering 100 -certified optio though no FSC Reduce, re-use, recycle toilet paper ( n meeting the g no more tha However, doin ic bags – no dard for plast Poor: ther industry stan r bags and no e was no i use new carrie with stil mproveme isincentive to store. l no declar nt from 2 d cling points in packag ed recycle 006, astic bag recy ing and n d content E pl only st o FSC-cert on ore not to o ified conte ffer a ‘bag nt. The for life’. sh products pìëí~áå~ÄäÉ=ÑáëÜ majority of fi A Excellent: the ation and ability inform Showing pìëí~áå~ÄäÉ=ÑáëÜ rried sustain mmitment to potentia ca company’s co on num l: signific ements of the sheries. The ber of M ant impr stat ll managed fi good i SC-certifi ovement fish from we about nformatio ed product stock t information Howe n from th s and e had excellen ver, no inf e north-ea websit helpl ormation st store. C able fish. ine or in t was avail sustain he south-e able on th ast store. e organic pìëí~áå~ÄäÉ=Ñ~êãáåÖ e proportion of g potential: th t year, Showin e same as las Roo was around th m 16% C m for im pìëí~áå~ÄäÉ=Ñ~êãáåÖ products a percent (fro 11 provement by only half more % to 9% of : a slight decreasing ries there were w organic p drop from n some catego , ere no orga roduce bec to 15.5%). I bread and tea c nic option ause there ilable, such as , ategories s in sever D products ava e and potatoes such as pe al produc such as lettuc ars and te t but in others, a. r. there were fewe

lîÉê~ää=ÅçããÉåíë=~åÇ=ëÅçêÉ done better lîÉê~ää=ÅçããÉåíë=~åÇ=ëÅçêÉ ut could have B ainable fish, b doing more score for sust etables and by ood: excellent , in-season veg Room for G re UK-sourced bags. improvem by having mo se new carrier that need ent: a bet ncentives to u more atte ter score th to provide disi bags, and ntion, suc an last y more org h as encou ear but sti improvem anic produ raging re ll areas ent in the ce. Howev -use of car the stores number o er, there w rier had a hig f MSC-cer as signifi h percenta tified prod cant D ge of UK i ucts stock n-season v ed, and egetables.

7 Name:

bury’s Date of report S Sains omerfield April 2 Name: 007 April 2007 Date of report o~íáåÖ `äáã~íÉ=ÅÜ~åÖÉ `çããÉåíë `çããÉåíë Seasonal UK-sourced food o~íáåÖ f in- G proportion o C ood: had `äáã~íÉ=ÅÜ~åÖÉ otential: the inally U the larg Showing p eased marg K produ est propor roduce incr The ce, also r tion of i eason UK p % in 2007. increase, epresenti n-season Seasonal UK-sourced food s 2006 to 60 from 62 ng the g rom 59% in e amount of Energy-saving light bulbs % in 200 reatest f n impressiv more 6 to 80% ebsite had a al food and in 2007 B w bout season other . formation a e than any Showin in provenanc g potenti ormation on store an al: no pr inf d only a ice promo ermarket. both eff few opti tions in sup icient an ons avail Howev d non-ef able in er, at £1. ficient b some had on 99 the en ulbs. l: there were and e of the ergy-eff ing potentia t products, C we fou lower pric icient opt C Show rgy-efficien nd in st e differen ion tions on ene £2.09. t~ëíÉ ores. tials tha Energy-saving light bulbs promo nt bulb was t pest efficie nt bulb was the chea non-efficie , the Basics so there is a Reduce, re-use, recycle However urvey at 8p d pest in the s efficient an the chea tial between R rice differen oom for larger p s. improvem ient option the way b ent: ma non-effic y offerin rginally used bag g incent leading s: a free ives to br back fiv ‘bag for l ing back tified e bags. H ife’ for b ore FSC-cer improve owever, t ringing t~ëíÉ there were m an ment on here was : this year, ptions, and B declari 2006 wh no Good itchen roll o ag ng the am en it cam D paper and k . A special ‘b cardboa ount of e to Reduce, re-use, recycle toilet e FSC logo rd packa recycled ded use of th tion at the produc ging or content i expan was in opera ts. recycled n ’ promotion paper for life the survey. time of - pìëí~áå~ÄäÉ=ÑáëÜ -brand MSC ange of own ad a good r SC-certified Room Good: h ding an M B for impr foods inclu rmation been ovement certified ct with info made, wi : some pr pìëí~áå~ÄäÉ=ÑáëÜ s fish produ el. Staff foun th more ogress ha children’ y on the lab d in stor MSC-cer s prominentl , and there prom e. Howev tified pro displayed informative inently er, these w ducts rained and the staf displaye ere not were well t available on f could n d or prom formation abu ot provi oted, an was some in t them. de any in d D formatio website. pìëí~áå~ÄäÉ=Ñ~êãáåÖ n ng position Room rom a leadi C for impr potential: f for organ ovement Showing a reputation ic lines : the num when it had sbury’s Alth has incre ber of in 2006, duce, Sain ough this ased from pìëí~áå~ÄäÉ=Ñ~êãáåÖ organic pro ganic who figure i 4% to promoting duced its or le survey s still th 7%. intingly re es, from , it does e lowest i has disappo nic categori show pro n our D ur key orga gress. options in o . 21% to 12% lîÉê~ää=ÅçããÉåíë=~åÇ=ëÅçêÉ Ro om for im has proveme been par nt: an in larg ticular p creased s est propo rogress in core from inable on l rtion of s UK, in- last yea lîÉê~ää=ÅçããÉåíë=~åÇ=ëÅçêÉ ng for susta B ast year uch prod season p r’s E. Th Strong rati cts. store (from 62 ucts and roduce – ere r’ retailers. tified produ and on % to 80% showed it had th the ‘big fou d MSC-cer e and there helplines ). Let do the great e Good: top of of own-bran anic produc . wn by la est increa good range drop in org ck of inf se D fish, with a sappointing ormation re was a di etables. in However, the -season veg more UK in is room for

8 Name: Date of report Waitrose Tesco Apr 7 il 2007 Name: April 200 o~íáåÖ Date of report `äáã~íÉ=ÅÜ~åÖÉ `çã ãÉåíë `çããÉåíë Seasonal UK-sourced food roduce -season p B of UK in good S o~íáåÖ oportion %. Some howing `äáã~íÉ=ÅÜ~åÖÉ od: the pr 3% to 62 of se potent Go d from 5 e stand ason v ial: the increase ly a larg y egetabl proport has articular s in the ear’s s es had ion of Seasonal UK-sourced food otions, p hire farm y t urvey – increas in- prom m Yorks s the onl he term from 6 ed sinc ables fro lpline wa ate a ‘new s 1% to e last veget e. The he ive accur nd im eason’ 66%. H astle stor able to g ported was us owever Newc ey to be oduce. availab produce ed for b , our surv eason pr le via h . No in oth UK C one in UK in-s on web elpline format ation on Energy-saving light bulbs site. but som ion inform e prese nt nergy- C heapest e nt tial: the c n-efficie Good: o ng poten , with no wn-bra Showi as £1.49 efficien nd Tesc nt bulb w heaper. t light o Valu efficie ee times c south e bulbs e energ Energy-saving light bulbs eing thr ast, fiv were on y- bulbs b efficie e times ly 81p nt (pric the pr in the found e at 16 ice of th in the p), and e non- t~ëíÉ effici survey the ch he own- ency w . Infor eapest B half of t C the s as disp mation al: about recycled outh-ea layed o on ene g potenti s a high Reduce, re-use, recycle st stor n the rgy t~ëíÉ Showin aging ha towel had e. shelves eal pack kitchen in brand cer n-brand ever, nd an ow EU. How Reduce, re-use, recycle ontent a d by the arrier c el awarde using c Showin n eco lab entive for g poten a o disinc way by tial: m ere was n offeri argina th used b ng ince lly lea gs. ags: Te ntives ding th ba points sco was to brin e for the offeri g back impro re-use ng Clu vemen of bag bcard ful conte t since s. Howe very help A nt of pa 2006 o ver, no C aff were toilet ckagin n decla ounter st ded a roll. g, kitc red recy t: fish c lso provi pìëí~áå~ÄäÉ=ÑáëÜ hen pa cled Excellen ble and a ful guide per and owledgea ery use e and kn n fish (‘V he websit e leaflet o ided on t Room pìëí~áå~ÄäÉ=ÑáëÜ Waitros tion prov for im . Informa imp provem to fish’) clear. rovemen ent: T epth and certi t on th here wa was in-d fied fis e amou s a sm F- dis h but t nt of M all nd LEA played hese w SC- organic a m nu or prom ere not ount of eased fro A mber of oted. S promin t: the am has incr the potent old the ently D Excellen products survey ially ‘a larges certified r. pìëí~áå~ÄäÉ=Ñ~êãáåÖ . t risk’ t Marque last yea fish sp 3% since ecies in pìëí~áå~ÄäÉ=Ñ~êãáåÖ 19% to 2 G ood: the in numbe creased r of org im from 1 anic li provem 6% to 2 nes has ent acr 0%, wi oss nea th an rly the whole lîÉê~ää=ÅçããÉåíë=~åÇ=ëÅçêÉ range. B

Show policies B ing pot excellent increa ential: ow, with he sing o good p lîÉê~ää=ÅçããÉåíë=~åÇ=ëÅçêÉ ar in a r crease t Tesco rganic rogress econd ye ore to in offered lines f in ma for the s ould do m but t the ch rom 16 ny are p retailer d fish. C hey wer eapest % to 2 as, par ood: a to ing an oduce. on he e let do energy 0%. It w ticularl G able farm ourced pr lplines. wn by -efficie as imp y in sustain n, UK-s a lack nt ligh ressive on in-seaso of info t bulb i that mount of rmation n the s a in sto urvey re and C

9

1 Climate change

What is the issue? efficient equivalents. Energy-saving Seasonality light bulbs use a quarter of the We set out to measure and compare We gave a mark out of ten for each electricity of ordinary bulbs to supermarkets on how well they help store, according to the following generate the same amount of light9. consumers reduce their C0 criteria: 2 If every home in the UK installed emissions through the products three energy-saving bulbs, it would • how much seasonal produce was they buy. save enough energy to run the available to buy in store country’s street lights for a year10. (maximum five points); Seasonal food • the degree to which seasonal produce was promoted in store The largest review of the evidence What we did (maximum three points); yet shows that the food we eat is We rated companies on*: responsible for 31 per cent of the • whether information about average European household’s impact  the percentage of UK seasonal produce seasonal produce was available on on climate change8.There is an within our ten in-season categories; customer helplines (one point); and opportunity, if done right, to  our judgement of their promotion of • whether information about promote seasonal food as an effective in-season vegetables; seasonal produce was available on and enjoyable way to tackle climate the website (one point). change. Supermarkets can have a key  the results of our telephone helpline role in this, stocking and promoting and website surveys; Our survey took place in April 2007. Last year’s survey was in UK seasonal food to their customers.  the provision and promotion of energy- March 2006, so this year we efficient light bulbs; and updated our list of vegetables based Energy-efficient light bulbs  the cost of, and price differential on advice from the UK industry’s between, these and energy-efficient Fresh Produce Consortium on We also looked at the provision and equivalents. what supermarkets might reasonably promotion of energy-efficient light be expected to sell during the bulbs; and the cost of, and price * averaged across the two stores surveyed survey period. differential between, these and less 11 Our ten were: countries that have a low or medium Somerfield had the largest likely to have been airfreighted (only Human Development Index (HDI) proportion of in-season UK one out of 33 fruits).  purple sprouting broccoli rank12, indicating relative poverty. produce at with 80 per cent, closely  We were disappointed to see that cabbage (red, savoy and white) Further, we looked at how much followed by the Co-op with 76 per  M&S had increased the amount of spring greens produce was certified Fairtrade, cent and Morrisons with 71 per  long-distance vegetables from two carrots guaranteeing a fair price to cent. M&S and Sainsbury’s had the  per cent to 18 per cent, on lines for cauliflower producers in poor countries.We used lowest, with 56 per cent and 60 per  which UK in-season produce was celeriac this data purely to provide additional cent respectively.  likely to be available, such as onions context for broad sustainability  As with last year, there is room potatoes, parsnips, carrots and onions. parsnips issues. However, these factors were  for improvement for all the potatoes not included in the rating because Sainsbury’s had the greatest  supermarkets, with a significant swede. we cannot be certain about whether proportion of Fairtrade fruit, at proportion of vegetables being any particular product has been ten per cent.The Co-op was joint imported that could be sourced Transportation airfreighted. second with Morrisons – both within the UK.All the supermarkets had six per cent of their fruit as As in 2006, we recorded the sold imported produce in the Fairtrade.Tesco had only 3.5 per declared country of origin for all categories surveyed when there was What we found cent being Fairtrade and Somerfield fresh fruit in the supermarkets UK produce available.We found only two per cent. surveyed. Using aggregated UK fruit Seasonal food parsnips and carrots from Israel No supermarket shone in terms of import data collected by HM Using average figures across the (Waitrose), potatoes from Egypt and 11 promoting seasonal food in all of the Revenue & Customs , we assessed two stores – and moderated by Honduras (Asda), and onions from places surveyed – that is, in store, how far the fruit had travelled and responses from telephone helplines (Asda, Co-op, M&S, through the helpline and on the the likelihood of it having been and seasonality information found on Sainsbury’s and Tesco) imported by air, which is the most website. Generally, information and the supermarket websites – differences Tesco had the highest proportion of fuel and carbon-intensive mode of promotion was patchy. between the supermarkets emerge. fruit likely to have been imported by transport.We also looked at how air, up from seven per cent in 2006 However, there were some good much of the non-EU fruit was from to 15 per cent in 2007.The Co-op examples, such as the Sainsbury’s 12 had the lowest proportion of fruit website, which had an impressive amount of information about This type of promotion could send oÉí~áäÉê=ê~íáåÖë=Ñçê= seasonal food, promoted with videos misleading messages to consumers ëÉ~ëçå~ä=îÉÖÉí~ÄäÉë of Jamie Oliver, and highlighted in about the benefits of selecting in- the online shopping facility. season products. pçãÉêÑáÉäÇ b Ä The M&S website provided clear The information available from t~áíêçëÉ b Ä information on the importance of helplines was also disappointing. ^ëÇ~ b Å b buying seasonal produce but it could As in 2006,Waitrose was the only `çJçé Å do more to identify what the products retailer to be able to give us accurate b jçêêáëçåë b Å are at particular times of the year. information. Sainsbury’s and M&S p~áåëÄìêóÛë Å gave some good information but our Retailers such as Asda and Co-op qÉëÅç É= b Å analysis showed that some of it was had ‘British-grown’ signs and Union j~êâë=C=péÉåÅÉê É= Ç inaccurate, listing items that were not Jack flags on packaging but our in season. Staff from Asda, Co-op, researchers reported that this was not Morrisons, Somerfield and Tesco very prominent. oÉí~áäÉê=ê~íáåÖë=Ñçê= could provide no information at all. ÉåÉêÖóJÉÑÑáÅáÉåí=äáÖÜí=ÄìäÄë Waitrose had a large stand of Our surveyors found no information vegetables from Yorkshire farms in about food transport except for some Waitrose (in the north-east store). jçêêáëçåë b Ä airfreight stickers on fresh produce However, we also found a sign in the qÉëÅç b in Tesco and M&S. However, there Ä Waitrose south-east store next to the ^ëÇ~ b Å was no explanation about what the plums, which read: p~áåëÄìêóÛë b Å stickers meant and their use is b pçãÉêÑáÉäÇ Å ‘the best the world has to offer: as a stone potentially misleading for consumers b fruit season ends in one country, it begins because it may not give a true t~áíêçëÉ Å in another, which is why we follow the reflection of the environmental `çJçé É=É b harvest around the world selecting impact of a product. j~êâë=C=péÉåÅÉê åL~ É= Ç different varieties, to bring you the best quality in stone fruit’. 13 Greenpeace light bulbs campaign Greenpeace wrote to all major lighting retailers in early 2007 asking whether they:

 support the principle of mandatory minimum efficiency standards for energy-using products

 would support a ban, at UK or EU level, on sales of all incandescent light bulbs

 would eliminate incandescent light bulbs from their range, and, if so, by when. Greenpeace produced a league table of light bulb retailers, demonstrating which retailers are taking the lead and which Energy-efficient light bulbs the survey. In other stores, non- • in the Co-op, only one energy- are lagging behind. The retailers were efficient light bulbs were also very saving bulb was sold, in one of M&S did not sell light bulbs ranked only on their stated commitment cheap, with Tesco and Asda selling the stores. It was 22 times more in either store so are excluded to remove non-efficient light bulbs them for 16p. expensive than the cheapest non- from sale. from the rating for this part of efficient bulbs. the indicator. Tesco and Morrisons were the only stores to offer an energy-saving • in Somerfield, the cheapest Commitment to ending sales of We looked at 226 bulbs in total incandescent light bulbs light bulb in a low-price range. energy-saving bulbs were four across all remaining 14 stores, of One of Tesco’s 11W energy-saving times more expensive than the which 54 (about a quarter) were light bulbs cost 81p.All three cheapest non-efficient bulbs in A – end 2007 Currys energy-saving options. Only Morrisons energy-saving light bulbs the north-east store. Morrisons and Tesco had own- B – end 2008 — were also quite cheap – 99p for brand bulbs. Morrisons had three 11W and 20W.Asda, Morrisons and C – end 2009 Habitat types of 11W own-brand bulbs; Tesco all had special offers on the The initial purchase price of Tesco had one own-brand 11W D – end 2010 Asda, Morrisons, energy-saving light bulbs. energy-saving bulbs is higher than bulb in its low-cost ‘Value’ range. Sainsbury’s that of a traditional incandescent Looking at the cheapest option in Our overall impression was that for bulb, which may dissuade people E – end 2011 Tesco, B&Q, each rating (60W and 100W and Homebase, John inefficient light bulbs, there is a from buying them. Part of our Lewis, Waitrose, their equivalents), we can say that: Co-op, Wickes/Focus huge range of choice in terms of rating looked at the price colour, fitting and shape.They were • in Morrisons, the energy-saving differential between the different F – no commitment Ikea, Somerfield also often incredibly cheap. In option was only twice as types of bulbs to try and encourage or post-2012 comparison, the energy-saving light expensive as the non-efficient retailers to make efficient options Worst Woolworths bulbs were often in small displays bulb in the south-east store. more attractive to consumers. with little promotion. Although very cheap inefficient • in Asda, the cheapest energy- bulbs could be seen as a good deal, In Sainsbury’s, a single ‘Basics’ saving bulbs were eight times Greenpeace is calling on all UK retailers to retailers should give more make a public commitment to an early and inefficient light bulb, 60W,cost 8p more expensive than the cheapest prominence to energy-saving light total phase-out of non-efficient light bulbs. – the very cheapest light bulb in non-efficient bulbs. bulbs and promote the cost saving and environmental benefits of these agriculture.Waitrose has launched a All supermarkets told us they are products, while offering a wider promotion for regional fruit and reducing the CO2 emissions and range of fittings and shapes.The vegetables displayed in dedicated energy use of their transportation by cheaper price sends a message that is areas in 86 stores in seven regions. improving road haulage efficiency. inconsistent with what the retailers Some also told us of moves towards Companies were more aware of say they want to encourage. ‘greener’ vehicles, such as Sainsbury’s issues around airfreighting than they electric online delivery trucks and were last year. However, only Tesco the Co-op’s double-decker trucks told us of a specific target for What the companies told us with solar panels. airfreight - it has committed to All the supermarkets in our survey restricting air transport to less than All retailers were aware of the were keen to assure us of their one per cent of its products. importance of stocking energy- commitment to sourcing and Morrisons,Tesco and M&S told us saving light bulbs and some (Asda, promoting British produce. that they are already labelling Co-op, Morrisons, Sainsbury’s and Sainsbury’s told us that, in its stores, produce that is airfreighted. Waitrose) told us of their aim to of the food that can be grown in phase out incandescent bulbs in time Some retailers told us that they aim this country, 90 per cent of it is for, or before the government’s to sell 100 per cent British produce sourced from the UK.There were target in 2011.Tesco told us that it in certain categories. However, this some good examples of how the had set itself a target of selling ten is sometimes inconsistent with what retailers were working to encourage million energy-saving bulbs in the was found in store. For example, and support more locally and coming year as part of the ‘We’re in M&S told us it sells 100 per cent regionally sourced foods (particularly this together’ coalition. British carrots, but we found some Co-op, M&S, Morrisons, Sainsbury’s from Israel (organic) and Holland and Waitrose). Sainsbury’s has (pre-packaged). launched a new scheme,‘Farm Promise’ in which it works with apple farmers to help increase British fruit growing and boost UK 15 2 Waste: action to reduce, re-use and recycle

What we did oÉí~áäÉê=ê~íáåÖë=Ñçê=ï~ëíÉ As in 2006, we set out to measure retailers on how they encouraged and enabled their customers to ^ëÇ~ b Ä reduce, re-use and recycle.We have p~áåëÄìêóÛë b Ä rated supermarkets on: `çJçé b Å j~êâë=C=péÉåÅÉê b Å  the extent to which own-brand b qÉëÅç Å breakfast cereal packaging has a b t~áíêçëÉ Å declared recycled and FSC-certified content; pçãÉêÑáÉäÇ É= Ç jçêêáëçåë É=É  the number of own-brand toilet paper and kitchen roll products that we found with a declared recycled and/or FSC-certified content; and

 whether supermarkets were offering incentives to customers to reduce their use of single plastic carrier bags.

The rating mechanism is the same as in 2006, giving each of the three elements equal weight and also providing commentary on how supermarkets encourage their customers to re-use and recycle in store and on-site. 16 What we found their bags. Sainsbury’s was giving Customer information Asda is also making progress, now Carrier bags away ‘bags for life’ free of charge Overall, we are disappointed to offering FSC-certified toilet paper as during the survey, but only for one report that there was little progress the main own-brand product. The majority of supermarkets have day (27 April 2007.) in recycled material and FSC- However, we found no declared now adopted the government’s 2007 certified content in products since recycled content of breakfast cereal voluntary agreement and are The Co-op, M&S and Waitrose are the 2006 results. However, we do packaging, so there’s still work to do. working on a basis of an ‘industry meeting the industry standard but offer praise to Asda, Co-op, M&S standard’ practice (see panel over not giving customers any incentive There was no improvement for Tesco, and Sainsbury’s for some page).This code of practice consists to re-use carrier bags. Looking at Somerfield or Morrisons since 2006. improvements in their performance of not charging for normal carrier what other retailers are doing, this with recycled and FSC-certified As in 2006, the stores could do bags; and charging 10p for a ‘bag for industry standard now appears to be content.We are also aware of more to promote re-use or recycling. life’. However, it does not include not demanding enough and retailers initiatives to increase the use of A few supermarkets (notably M&S, strong incentives to re-use bags. should be going further. recycled and biodegradable plastics Tesco and Somerfield) had some Tesco and Somerfield are leading the All of the supermarkets (except in packaging, although these were promotional posters relating to waste way by offering incentives to bring Morrisons) offered a ‘bag for life’, all not included in our survey. reduction. However, only the M&S back used bags: at the time of the costing 10p for a standard plastic poster with a description of ‘Plan A’ M&S and Sainsbury’s are leading the survey,Tesco was offering Clubcard strong bag that can be replaced was described by the researcher as way.The majority of M&S cereal points for the re-use of bags; when worn out. prominent and eye catching. packaging declared that it was made Somerfield offered customers a We did not find any bag-less from a minimum of 50 per cent The Co-op and M&S were the only free ‘bag for life’ for bringing back checkouts at the stores we visited. recycled material, some even more supermarkets not to have plastic bag five bags. Removing bags from the checkouts (85 per cent and 98 per cent).This recycling points in store. would be a strong incentive to Meanwhile Asda has launched a year, Sainsbury’s had more FSC- In some stores, such as Sainsbury’s customers to reduce their use of special ‘Bag for Life’ website certified toilet paper and kitchen roll and the Co-op, we found recycling carrier bags. (www.asda-bagforlife.co.uk), options than in 2006 and its bags for household items such as promoting a green school-voucher expanded commitment to the FSC mobile phones, inkjet printer scheme for customers who re-use logo is good progress. cartridges and batteries.

17 Carrier bag agreement In February 2007 the UK government’s Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs announced a voluntary agreement was with UK retailers to reduce the overall environmental impact of carrier bags by 25 per cent by the end of 200814. In line with this agreement, retailers will be reducing the environmental impact of bags by:

 encouraging customers to reduce significantly the number of What the companies told us of transporting the material. Some The Co-op told us that from May carrier bags they use; All companies told us of their retailers told us they are also 2007, just after our survey was  reducing the impact of each commitment to reducing waste, providing recycling services for completed, all own-brand household carrier bag (for example, by using avoiding excess packaging and batteries, mobile phones and printer tissue products will be FSC- less material and/or incorporating supporting recycling.Tesco aims to cartridges (Sainsbury’s and Tesco). certified, including those that are recycled content); and 100 per cent recycled. Sainsbury’s reduce by 25 per cent, and All retailers have signed up to the  also told us that from May 2007, enabling the recycling of more Morrisons and Co-op by 15 per government’s initiative to reduce the carrier bags. 100 per cent of its own-brand cent, the amount of packaging on overall environmental impact of tissue products would either be their own-brand products by 2010. carrier bags by 25 per cent by the 100 per cent recycled or from Signatories have agreed to: With no national standard for end of 2008. However, some FSC-certified sources. labelling packaging with recycling retailers have gone further than this,  work jointly with government and the organisation Waste and information, some retailers (M&S, with Sainsbury’s having an objective Resource Action Programme Sainsbury’s and Waitrose) told us that to reduce the environmental impact (WRAP) to monitor the they are working to develop such a of their carrier bags by over 50 per environmental impact of carrier standard to give a consistent message cent by the end of 2008. bags, and to agree a baseline to consumers. figure from which to measure Both Sainsbury’s and Tesco told us reduction; Supermarkets told us that, wherever that their home delivery drivers also  work with the government and possible, they will offer recycling collect customers’ plastic bags to WRAP to reduce the overall facilities in and around their stores, take back to the store and recycle. environmental impact of carrier unless a setting prevents it.Tesco has Tesco have also offered customers bags by 25 per cent by the end developed automated recycling units the opportunity to collect Green of 2008; and that sort plastic, metal and glass so Clubcard points if they choose to  review their experiences by the that customers don’t have to.The accept their home shopping end of 2008 in order to units then shred the waste so more without carrier bags at all, although determine what would be can be stored, reducing the required in order to make a this was a time-limited offer and is further reduction by 2010. frequency of collection, therefore now finished. reducing the environmental impact

3 Sustainable fish

What we did We rated supermarkets on: oÉí~áäÉê=ê~íáåÖë=Ñçê= ëìëí~áå~ÄäÉ=ÑáëÜ We set out to measure and compare  the availability and promotion of supermarkets on how well they help sustainably sourced fish (including j~êâë=C=péÉåÅÉê customers to choose sustainable fish those with MSC certification); and the b ~ t~áíêçëÉ products.After a review of last year’s fish species and information for b ~ p~áåëÄìêóÛë b survey, and in discussion with the standard own-brand fish fingers. Ä MSC and Greenpeace, we added a ^ëÇ~ b Å  information available about fish b new aspect to our fish indicator.We jçêêáëçåë Å sustainability from in-store staff and b looked at the fish used in standard `çJçé Ç the customer helpline. own-brand fish fingers as an pçãÉêÑáÉäÇ É= Ç indicator of whether supermarkets qÉëÅç Ç are integrating sustainable fish into As in 2006, we looked at whether everyday products, moving beyond supermarkets were stocking any the niche market. species that have been identified as ‘at risk’, specifically: Dover sole, marlin, monkfish, shark (including dogfish), skate and swordfish. However, this information was not included in the rating.

20 What we found M&S and Waitrose are leading the Again, as in 2006, we expected M&S stores did not have a fresh fish There have been some way.These two are the only retailers customers to be able to ask for counter so the researcher talked to improvements in the availability of that consistently provided information and advice at the fresh staff at the customer service desk. In MSC-certified products in all stores sustainability information and fish counter about how and where the north-east store, the member of but little noticeable improvement in method of catch on the majority of fish had been caught, and whether staff had good knowledge about the the promotion of these products in fish products that they sell.All M&S it was sustainably sourced. In MSC logo and offered more store, either by prominent displays fish ready meals had a ‘look behind Waitrose, the researcher noted that information, unprompted, on the or price promotions, since 2006. the label’ statement on the back she had been very impressed with retailers’ environmental relating to environmental issues and how well trained and well informed commitments in its ‘Plan A’. This improvement in availability is, sustainability.Waitrose fish products the staff member had been. He was Somerfield did not have a fresh fish in part, because of a change in some had a ‘sustainably sourced’ statement able to discuss MSC certification counter either, so researchers went supermarkets’ policies, but it is also on the packaging. with the researcher and provided a to the customer service desk and largely affected by two other factors. Waitrose leaflet on fish, Very useful M&S and Waitrose were also the spoke to the member of staff that These are, firstly, the significant steps guide to fish. taken by the MSC over the past year only supermarkets to provide dealt with fish products, as well as to to widen the number of products sustainability information on their However, in the other retailers, store the store manager. However, none of and suppliers that have been fish fingers, though none had MSC staff appeared inadequately trained these staff could give any certified as sustainable. Secondly, it is certification.Asda did sell MSC- and could not answer questions on information about sustainability or down to the shift of one large certified ‘Smart Price’ value fish the MSC logo or give researchers the MSC logo. fingers made from sustainably information on sustainable fish. mainstream manufacturer – Young’s Sainsbury’s is making good progress sourced pollock, with the It was concerning to note that in – in increasing the amount of MSC- and stocked the largest number of information prominently displayed some supermarkets (such as Asda certified sustainable fish products own-brand MSC-certified products on the front of the packet. No and Tesco),while staff understood they provide to the supermarkets. – about half of all the own-brand MSC-certified products were found terms such as ‘sustainable fish’, Young’s accounted for the majority MSC-certified products found in in standard own-brand fish fingers in they gave information very likely of the MSC-certified products we the whole survey (eight out of 17). any of the other supermarkets. to be inaccurate, with sweeping found in our survey (58 out of 75 – At its fresh fish counter, one of the generalisations such as ‘it is over three-quarters of the products). two MSC-certified products (wild all sustainable’. Alaskan salmon) was on special offer 21 at 25 per cent off.This promotion policies on their websites.We could products (fresh and frozen) will be green system to assess fish, and was prominently displayed. find no information on sustainable certified by the MSC. Sainsbury’s doesn’t sell any red-rated fish, no fish on Somerfield’s website. aims to convert all of its top five matter where it comes from. We found some fish species on sale selling fish species, which last year Waitrose also excludes specific that are potentially at risk of We know that some supermarkets, represented 80 per cent of its sales, endangered species and explains its extinction, including skate (Co-op, such as Morrisons and Asda, are to ‘green status’ by 2010. reasons to customers on its fish Morrisons and Tesco);three types of working behind the scenes to counters and website. monkfish (Morrisons, Sainsbury’s increase the sustainability of the fish All retailers except Somerfield told and Tesco);swordfish (M&S); and they sell. However, we feel that us of their detailed sustainable fish Dover sole (Sainsbury’s and Tesco). supermarkets could be doing more sourcing policies.Waitrose has Tesco sold the most types of to inform their customers and staff developed its own rigorous policy potentially ‘at risk’ species – six about sustainable fish. on sustainable fishing in the absence products in total. of sufficient MSC-certified fish being available.The retailer makes Customer helplines were generally What the companies told us this information available online and disappointing and staff could not in store through its leaflet, Very useful answer questions on sustainable fish. Sustainable seafood sourcing, as we guide to fish. Earlier in 2007,Waitrose The exception to this was Waitrose found last year, is still very much a came top of the ‘Sustainable Seafood where, just as in the stores, the work in progress. Some retailers Supermarket League Table’ issued helpline assistant responded quickly have specific targets for their by the wildlife charity, the Marine and easily to the questions about fish sustainable fish sourcing, such as Conservation Society15. and sustainability. Asda, M&S and Sainsbury’s. M&S says it will ensure that all the fish it M&S and Morrisons told us they The experience of looking at sells is MSC-certified or, where such do not sell any fish that are on the company websites was more varied. certification isn’t available, another list of 35 species to avoid that has Waitrose and M&S provided in- equivalent independent standard. been compiled by the Marine depth, well-presented information. Asda has pledged that in three to Conservation Society. Sainsbury’s Tesco and Asda also had some good five years all its own-brand fish has developed a red, amber and information about their company 22

4 Sustainable farming

What is the issue? What we did As in 2006, our researchers recorded Researchers recorded how many As in 2006, we measured and As in 2006, we measured: information about the following ten varieties of each food type were compared supermarkets on how well products on sale in each available, how many were organic or  the provision and promotion of they encouraged and enabled their supermarket, chosen with advice LEAF-Marque certified, and which organic options in ten ‘products of customers to choose organic and/or from the independent pesticides products were prominently displayed concern for pesticide use’ in the fresh other certified farming methods that charity, the Pesticide Action or on special promotion. produce sector Network: use fewer chemicals and promote We also looked for in-store  the promotion of other produce from biodiversity.As with many other  apples customer information about certified farming methods that use sustainability issues dealt with in this  bananas pesticide policies or organic fewer chemicals and promote report, the presence and use of  bread produce.We rated companies on biodiversity, such as Linking harmful chemicals are largely  celery the percentage of surveyed products Environment and Farming (LEAF) invisible to consumers.There would  cocoa/hot chocolate that were organic (with a target of Marque products; and the be no way for customers to ‘vote  lettuce (whole) 25 per cent) and also gave additional communication of pesticide with their feet’ or understand the  oranges points for LEAF-Marque options reduction policies. potential effects of these chemicals,  pears and customer information unless supermarkets make them  potatoes (including pesticide policies) on visible through labelling or other  tea. conventional produce. information, and therefore available for scrutiny and comparison.

24 oÉí~áäÉê=ê~íáåÖë=Ñçê= What we found 2006. However, there are some ëìëí~áå~ÄäÉ=Ñ~êãáåÖ Our researchers noted that, in examples where supermarkets gave general, there was very little choice their customers an indication of their when it came to organic options in policies and practices in this area. t~áíêçëÉ ~ most categories and in most stores. For example, the Co-op has a j~êâë=C=péÉåÅÉê Ä The pattern was usually one of pesticide declaration on its packed qÉëÅç Ä abundant choice in the non- salad, stating ‘conventionally grown; ^ëÇ~ Ç Å organic varieties, and one or two reducing, banning and controlling p~áåëÄìêóÛë Å organic options that were rarely on pesticide use’.All of the organic fruit `çJçé Ç price promotion. and vegetables in Morrisons were jçêêáëçåë Ç For example, in the bread and tea displayed with a sign ‘fruit and pçãÉêÑáÉäÇ Ç categories, some stores did have a vegetables grown without using selection of organic options available, artificial fertilisers’ and organic food but these options were sometimes was promoted as ‘a healthier choice’. swamped by the sheer variety, range We found that Waitrose was taking of flavours, pack-sizes and other the lead in the ten products we options that competed for attention. surveyed, and it has increased the There was disappointingly little amount of organic and LEAF- progress across the majority of Marque certified produce in its stores supermarkets, with Waitrose,Tesco from 19 per cent to 23 per cent, and Asda being the only exceptions. approaching our target of 25 per There was little promotion of the cent of products from sources benefits of organic farming, nor of certified as low-chemical farming. the environmental benefits that Tesco has increased the number of might act as an incentive to select organic lines it sells, from 16 per organic options – even less than in cent to 20 per cent and Asda has 25 increased its organic lines from ten What the companies told us Several retailers have farm assurance Sainsbury’s told us that it will seek to 18 per cent in 2007. Many retailers told us about their and pesticide reduction networks. to challenge the demand for The proportion of organic lines in targets for increasing sales of organic Waitrose told us that all growers cosmetic perfection in fruit and Sainsbury’s had decreased in 2007, food. M&S aims to triple its sales; who wish to sell their produce to vegetables by showing customers from 21 per cent in the categories Sainsbury’s aims to increase sales by Waitrose are asked to become that a reduction in pesticides can surveyed, to 12 per cent. Morrisons 20 per cent, Morrisons by 40 per members of an assurance scheme, often result in less uniform-looking and the Co-op have also lost some cent.The Co-op states that it has a which has a heavy emphasis on produce. It is also working with the ground, reducing the amount of clear strategy for increasing its focus pesticide controls. Operation Bumblebee campaign, to help reverse the decline of the organic produce available from on organics.Asda told us that it is Tesco told us that it has developed a bumblebee.This campaign eleven per cent to nine per cent, Britain’s fastest growing organic scheme called ‘Nature’s Choice’, encourages farmers and growers to and 13 per cent to nine percent retailer, having more than doubled which puts some controls on set up habitats for bumblebees by respectively.These figures reflect the its range of organic product lines in pesticide use.All 12,000 growers sowing and managing uncropped fact that there were no organic the last eighteen months, and the that supply Tesco must be registered areas within fields. options available in some product retailer states that it will have 1,000 and comply with its standards. M&S categories where there previously products by the end of 2007. has developed a pesticide residue had been. Waitrose also has a wide range reduction network that has begun to of organic products, with over Somerfield has increased the number work with 40 suppliers. Somerfield 2,000 lines. of its organic lines from four per is working with the Assured cent to seven per cent of the Produce Scheme (an industry-wide categories we surveyed.Although initiative addressing issues related to this is still the lowest level in all of the production of fruit, salads and the retailers surveyed, it does show vegetables), to promote alternatives progress. to routine pesticide use.

26 The way forward

Since the last Greening supermarkets In our survey, we have found evidence of Since the start of the year we have also report in 2006, we have seen good progress, such as: seen a raft of other announcements, environmental issues becoming ever initiatives and corporate social  Asda, the Co-op, and Somerfield have more important to retailers, with responsibility reports from retailers – such greatly increased the proportion of in- increasing recognition of the role that as M&S’s ‘Plan A’, Tesco’s climate change season vegetables sourced from the both they, and consumers, can play. announcements in January 200716, UK. Morrisons’ new commitments and There have been improvements from all  targets for 2007 in its April corporate the retailers in this year’s survey, with no Morrisons and Tesco have worked to social responsibility report17, and the ‘E’ ratings in 2007 compared with two reduce the price of energy-efficient Sainsbury’s corporate responsibility report in 2006, and with a general shift up the light bulbs. for 200718. ratings. However, none of the retailers  Asda, the Co-op, M&S and Sainsbury’s scored top marks across all the have made improvements in their Although we welcome these indicators, showing that there are still performance in relation to recycled and announcements, our research shows some areas where they can improve. FSC-certified content of tissue and that there are still areas where retailers could do more to help consumers The issues we have chosen to focus on in paper products. make greener choices. As in 2006, this survey do not represent all that  M&S and Waitrose maintained we are asking supermarkets to pledge supermarkets can do on environmental excellent scores for sustainable fish their support for our Greening issues. We recognise that there are other sourcing, with Sainsbury’s making Supermarkets Challenge, to set clear behind-the-scenes issues, such as good progress with MSC products. environmental targets that will directly refrigeration, where retailers are working involve their customers, and to report on to improve their environmental  Waitrose achieved a top score for their progress. performance. We have focused on those sustainable farming. things that retailers can do to help consumers make greener choices. We have also outlined some further All the above is testament to the consumer-facing issues that retailers leadership that retailers are showing in should start, or continue, to work on that important areas of consumer-facing would enable consumers to make more sustainability. environmentally sustainable choices. Notes and references

1. National Consumer Council, Greening 10. Ibid. supermarkets, 2006. 11. January to December 2006 UK import 2. http://ec.europa.eu/environment/ model statistics for fresh fruit and ipp/pdf/eipro_summary.pdf vegetables. Data collected by HM 3. IGD, UK grocery retailing, 2006. Revenue & Customs’ Tariff and Statistical Department. Data supplied by Business 4. Marks & Spencer, How we do business, and Trade Statistics Ltd. 2007; www.marksandspencer.com/ gp/node/n/51360031 12. We used the UN’s Human DeveIopment Index which focuses on three measurable 5. The Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) is dimensions of human development: living an independent non-profit organisation a long and healthy life, being educated, that promotes responsible fishing and having a decent standard of living. practices. www.msc.org This index gives a broader view of a 6. LEAF advocates the use of low-input country’s development than income farming methods.www.leafuk.org statistics alone. 7. Estimates suggest that such car journeys 13. The ‘We’re in this Together’ campaign generate 20%-50% of CO2 emissions brings businesses, government and from food transportation within the UK. communities together, and provides See T. Garnett, Wise moves: exploring the practical ideas for how individuals can relationship between food, transport and reduce their CO2 footprint. CO . Transport 2000 Trust, 2003. 2 14. www.defra.gov.uk/news/2007/070228a.htm 8. Tukker et al, Environmental impact of 15. The Marine Conservation Society is the products (EIPRO):analysis of the life cycle UK charity dedicated to caring for our environmental impacts related to the seas, shores and wildlife. See total final consumption of the EU25, www.mcsuk.org European Science and Technology Observatory, 2005. 16. www.tesco.com/climatechange/speech.asp 9. www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/ 17. www.morrisons.co.uk/Corporate/ energy_saving_products/ Resources/pdf/csrreport07.pdf types_of_energy_saving_recommended_ 18. www.j-sainsbury.co.uk/files/reports/ products/lightbulbs_and_fittings cr2007/files/report.pdf

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