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30,000-hectare UK regenerative farming programme, measuring emissions reductions and removals across full rotations, aligned with SBTi, and GHG Protocol, using Tier 3 models.
About
Cefetra Ecosystem Services: A Scalable, Science-Based, Agronomy-Led Supply Chain Insetting Solution
Cefetra Ecosystem Services is a supply chain insetting initiative focused on reducing Scope 3 emissions from the production of agricultural raw materials. We provide agricultural commodities with a reduced carbon footprint, enabling companies like Tesco to meet climate targets while supporting resilient UK agriculture.
Cefetra is one of the UK’s largest supply chain merchants, sourcing directly from British farmers. Each year, we handle millions of tonnes of crops. Wheat for bread, barley for beer, oilseed rape for salmon feed, and corn for pigs, much of which ends up in Tesco’s supply chain. It is extremely likely that your key suppliers are our key customers.
With over 90% of Tesco’s emissions falling under Scope 3 and more than 50% of those linked to purchased goods and services, agriculture represents both the problem and the solution. Uniquely, agriculture is the only sector capable of sequestering more carbon than it emits. That’s our vision: to produce grains and oilseeds while mitigating climate change and building more resilient supply chains.
What sets Cefetra apart is our proximity to the farmer. We purchase all grains and oilseeds directly from growers, giving us the ability to reward sustainable practices annually across entire farm rotations. These crops are then supplied into diverse sectors including aquafeed, pet food, animal feed, baking, and brewing.
To meet SBTi-aligned targets, businesses must enroll whole farms, not just individual crops therefore focusing on both reductions and removals. That requires a rotational approach. With our wide crop portfolio, Cefetra is uniquely positioned to support this.
Additionally, we incorporate the entire umbrella of regenerative farming practices and provide data on practice adoption rates such as cover crops or organic manure. Additionally, we report on water and biodiversity metrics.
Our proposal to Tesco is simple: by engaging your suppliers who are our customers we can reduce your Scope 3 emissions in a scientifically robust, cost-effective, and scalable way, while supporting UK farmers.
Key Benefits
The benefits provided by the programme include;
- Reduce Scope 3.1 emissions by 50%
- Gain access to vast primary data
- Cost-effective reduction of Scope 3 emissions (GBP/Mt CO₂e kept to a minimum) Much cheaper and creates better story telling that fertiliser or HVO.
- Aligned with SBTi & GHG Protocol
- Uses Tier 3 modelling and third-party auditing for robust scientific integrity
- Insetting and full traceability through Cefetra’s integrated physical supply chain
- Direct payments to farmers, addressing gaps left by reduced policy support (e.g. SFI)
- Enables Tesco to advance towards its climate targets
- Supports storytelling and marketing opportunities
- Products with a lower carbon footprint
By delivering physical commodities with certified emissions reductions and removals from regenerative farming, Tesco can lower both product-level and overall company Scope 3.1 emissions.
Applications
The Cefetra Ecosystem Services programme targets all Tesco products made with UK-grown agricultural raw materials directly addressing emissions embedded in your supply chain.
Let’s engage your suppliers and cut Scope 3 emissions together.