My research has revealed that Tesco’s UK operations are probably on e of the reasons behind the rise in UK CO2 emissions.
Tesco transports millions of tonnes of produce around the world, contributing to climate change through transport emissions. Its stores are some of the most energy-inefficient buildings in the retail sector. It is estimated that it would take more than 60 corner shops and greengrocers to match the carbon dioxide emissions from one average-sized Tesco superstore. Tesco also encourages shoppers to travel by car.Research shows that 1 in 10 car journeys in the UK are now to buy food, and Tesco has now started selling flights in its stores in Hungary.
Tesco boasts about its progress on reducing waste and how it is following a market trend to introduce degradable plastic bags, but food packaging still makes up around a quarter of household waste, and the UK’s biggest supermarkets distribute approximately 15 billion plastic bags, which end up in landfill. Tesco says it works with suppliers to keep pesticide residues in fruit and vegetables to a minimum.However, Government data shows that the company made no overall reduction in the level of pesticide residues in its food between 1998 and 2002. Apart from posing a threat to human health, pesticide use results in pollution of farmland and water supplies. Large supermarkets like Tesco are constantly trying to gain a greater market share and small independent stores and suppliers are paying the price because of unfair competition. Between 1997 and 2002, 50 specialised stores like butches, bakers, fishmongers and newsagents closed every week.
Many people believe that chain retailers like Tesco steal the identity of UK towns and cities. I asked 20 people to complete my questionnaire on Tesco’s ethics (sample questionnaire attached). My questionnaire results revealed that most people thought that a business should not care more about its profits than its ethics – only two people said that it should. However, everyone I asked said that they think Tesco cares more about profits than ethics.
Everybody I asked also said they believe that big chain supermarkets like Tesco are partly responsible for the crisis in British farming.For the question ‘Do you think that Tesco should try to do something to reduce its carbon dioxide emissions in the UK? ’, all but one said yes and when I asked that person why they said ‘because it would make it harder for the business to grow’. Everyone believed that it was not ethical that Tesco made no overall reduction in the level of pesticide residues in its food between 2998 and 2002. 15 out of the 20 participants believed that supermarkets do not do everything they can to make their food products healthier.
All 20 participants believed that Tesco does not conduct its business in an ethical way.In conclusion, my research shows that pretty much all of Tesco’s business operations are unethical, as they harm the environment and many small businesses and suppliers and they also treat people in an unethical way. My questionnaire results also reveal that many people think Tesco is an unethical business. So even though Tesco provide groceries and many other products at some of the lowest prices, it does not really make up for the harm that they are doing in the process and after all, it is all just for money anyway.
