My job throws up some surprises.
I began yesterday with a shopping trip to Tesco, in a store that had been temporarily transformed into a rainforest walkway (that’s me with the basket next to Tesco’s Ruth Giradet). Fears that we might get lost in the makeshift jungle soon disappeared, when we bumped into Amazon-conquering explorer, Ed Stafford (who is, it must be said, in slightly better shape than me). And the day ended with a serious debate about how business, government and NGOs need do more together to save rainforests.
You know what it's like. I'd only popped into the store to buy some bananas, when I found myself transported into a tropical forest. For those of a similar vintage to myself, it was like being in an episode of Mr Benn.
The Together for Trees partnership is now officially launched.
Ed is fronting a competition that will offer one Tesco shopper the chance to visit one of the projects as a designated ‘rainforest reporter’. If, like Ed, you fancy spending time in a rainforest, you can find out how to enter the competition here.
Having bought my bananas, I went along to Church House in Westminster to hear my boss, Mike Clarke, formally launch the initiative alongside Richard Brasher, CEO of Tesco, and Environment Secretary, Caroline Spelman.
The event was chaired by former Friends of the Earth Director, Tony Juniper. Tony has dedicated his a career to saving nature and tackling climate change. He started by stressing the importance of NGOs, governments and big businesses working together to find new ways of tackling old environmental crises.
Richard confirmed the Tesco commitment to the environment by saying:
“I know it’s fashionable to be cynical about the motives and actions of business. And I would not seek to defend many of the events of the past few years. But if we give up on the power of business to make a difference we lose a huge lever for change. My business, Tesco, has set a target to be a zero-carbon business by 2050... and since 2007, we have cut emissions from our existing (UK) stores distribution centres by 28%. Our new stores built since 2007 are on average emitting 31% less CO2 than a new store in 2006. We have built zero-carbon stores in the UK and elsewhere – to show it can be done.”
He went on to say:
“So let’s not give up on business. Because businesses like ours haven’t given up on climate change and sustainability. We have global as well as domestic ambitions. For example, through the international Consumer Goods Forum we want to help end deforestation by 2020. And we want to reduce emissions from our own supply chains by 30% by 2020.”
The Secretary of State, taking a short break from formal business in the House of Commons, emphasised the importance of all national governments recommitting to tackling deforestation at the forthcoming Rio +20 Summit. While she acknowledged that it is, "not easy for environment ministers anywhere at the moment”, she said that Tesco action on carbon was an example of how to smash the myth that economic recovery is incompatible with environmental goals.
I'm not kidding myself. I know how tough it will be for Tesco, or any major retailer, to create completely sustainable supply chains. I also know that not all finance ministers share the vision of their environmental counterparts for green growth. But I was genuinely heartened to hear the shared commitment of everyone present to cracking a global challenge. This is the only way we can realise a future where rainforests are still standing, still teeming with wildlife and still providing livelihoods for the millions of people that depend on them.
Do you fancy spending some time with Ed being a rainforest reporter?
It would be be great to hear your views.
A really great initiative.