UK supermarket giant Tesco has shared new updates on its sustainability and corporate responsibility initiatives, including progress in the Bangladesh garment industry and deforestation goals. Tesco aims to achieve zero deforestation by 2020, and says it is mapping its raw materials supply chain for any exposure to deforestation, whilst working with its suppliers “to move to more sustainable alternatives.”
Concerning Bangladesh, Tesco says it has conducted structural surveys at every factory it sources from and published a list of factories it works with online. With co-funding from the UK Government’s Responsible and Accountable Garment Sector (RAGS) Challenge Fund, the Centre aims to provide training and tools to improve the RMG industry in Bangladesh, as well as improving efficiency and productivity. The registered business ‘Solutions for Management International’ (S4Mi), previously known as the Bangladesh Skills Foundation, trains mid-to-lower level factory management teams in efficiency and productivity techniques, in a bid to help reduce working hours and increase wages.
