UK retail giant Tesco faces criticism over use of palm oil in biodiesel
UK-based retailing giant Tesco is facing criticism over the sale of biodiesel at its service stations, which according to a Greenpeace investigation, comes from environmentally unsustainable production methods, reported The Times.
The investigation stated that Tesco has made false claims regarding the source of its biodiesel. Around 30% of the biofuel in Tesco diesel reportedly comes from palm oil with every liter of this diesel containing around 5% biofuel, according to the Greenpeace investigation.
The investigation was conducted by researchers who bought biodiesel from a Tesco filling station in Edmonton, North London, and sent it to a German independent laboratory, ASG, for analysis.
The investigation noted that the remaining 70% of the biofuel originated from soya, which is considered more sustainable than palm oil but faces criticism over concerns about the possible rise in global food prices due to fuel producers outbidding other buyers for the feedstock.
The news source noted that Tesco, which owns around 400 petrol stations and accounts for 13% of the British fuel market, had initially denied having used any palm oil in its biodiesel but said that it respects concerns over the environmental damage caused by the use of palm oil.
Other UK fuel retailers including Asda, Morrisons and BP have responded to the investigation by saying that they have sought out only environmentally sustainable palm oil.
Source: http://www.energy-business-review.com/article_news.asp?guid=909F7D1B-233D-4F6C-91A3-DB848AD0FE87
