From NFU Online.

In the same week the Carbon Reduction Label is launched to help supermarkets reduce the distance their products travel, Somerfield highlights how consumers themselves can reduce their carbon footprint.

Local Life, a report conducted by the Future Foundation, reveals the average shopper with a car travels 2.4 miles each week more than they need to in order to buy the basics such as bread and milk.

According to the report, the extra ‘shopping miles’ emit 972.3 kilotonnes of carbon dioxide which is the equivalent of over half a million transatlantic flights.

The report highlights the fact that 50% of shoppers pass a local grocer or supermarket in their daily routine and could do their ‘top up’ shopping on any of these days, rather than making the extra journeys.

It also reports that 67% of shoppers have a grocer within walking distance of their homes meaning the car could be left at home.

Pete Williams, head of press and PR at Somerfield said: “We are constantly looking at ways to reduce the distance from ‘farm to fork’ and shrink our carbon footprint. However, to reach our goals, we really need our customers to contribute. Be it leaving the car at home from time to time or remembering to bring back their plastic carrier bags, even the most occasional of shoppers can make a positive difference.”

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