Tesco Ireland was named winner of the Best Energy Achievement in Retail category at the Business Energy Achievement Awards 2025 last year, recognised for its pioneering approach to reducing energy use and decarbonising large-scale retail operations.

A long-standing leader in climate action, Tesco became the first FTSE 100 company to adopt science-based targets in 2017. Building on this foundation, Tesco Ireland’s award-winning entry showcased its leadership in bringing waste heat recovery into the retail environment.

The initiative sits alongside a broader, organisation-wide commitment to energy reduction, including a comprehensive fridge replacement programme and ongoing efficiency upgrades across stores.

Judges praised the entry for its clarity of purpose and scale of ambition. “Tesco impressed the judges with a strong entry that placed carbon reduction at its core while recognising energy as a key driver of operational emissions,” the panel noted.

“Their organisational commitment underpins continuous improvement, with standout initiatives like the fridge replacement programme and waste heat recovery leading the way. Focused firmly on reducing energy use and decarbonising stores, they are making excellent progress towards net zero by 2035 in operations and across their value chain by 2050,” they added.

Tesco Ireland’s achievement demonstrates how large-scale retailers can drive meaningful emissions reductions while maintaining operational resilience is at the evolving standards of excellence in the business energy

With momentum from the 2025 winners, the awards continue to highlight organisations reshaping energy performance across Irish industry. As attention turns to the next cycle, the question remains: which retailers will follow Tesco Ireland’s lead in redefining energy efficiency and low-carbon operations in 2026?

Relive the highlights of the 2025 awards and discover the projects accelerating Ireland’s transition to a low-energy future. Visit the official website and subscribe to the newsletter for category updates, insights, and exclusive announcements.