Page 10 Climate change

Energy use
Waitrose used 454 million kWh of gas and electricity to power its shops, offices, Leckford Estate and distribution operations last year, at a cost of around £25 million. This total energy use has increased over the last five years, largely as a result of significant business growth. However, we have been able to improve our energy efficiency and develop commercially viable low-carbon technologies, which we believe will provide a long-term alternative to fossil fuels, with support from the Carbon Trust.

Waitrose carbon footprint
(Pie chart of carbon production as percentages:)

Electricity 63.8%
Distribution 17.6%
Gas 12.4%
Waste and waste collections 4.7%
Business miles in company cars 0.9%
Other energy 0.5%
Air travel 0.1%
Average shop energy consumption
(Horizontal bar chart with the following values:)
Kilowatt hour per sq ft trading floor area
2003–04 144.6
2004–05 128.9
2005–06 123.3
2006–07 122.9
2007–08 116.7

Tomato source
Going further in the search for green energy sources, Waitrose Rickmansworth has the distinction of being the first Waitrose shop to be powered by our tomato suppliers. The shop, which opened in November, receives power from two tomato farms in Chichester and Stansted through Green Energy UK. The farms' combined heat and power units produce heat for the greenhouses, CO2, which helps the growing process, and electricity, which Waitrose purchases for its shop in Rickmansworth.

"All our shops currently obtain their electricity entirely from green sources, but we felt 'tomato power' was worth exploring. In addition to being environmentally sound, this surplus energy helps the farms generate additional income, so everyone benefits."
Bill Wright Energy and Environment Manager, John Lewis Partnership

(Picture of tomatoes with the caption: "19% Improvement in shop energy efficiency since 2003—04")