Tesco and meat processor Kepak have introduced a new “lower-carbon” beef range that the companies say produces up to 23% fewer emissions compared with standard beef products, as retailers and farmers come under increasing pressure to reduce the environmental impact of agriculture.
The emissions reduction has been achieved through a combination of changes in animal nutrition, genetics, herd health, grassland management and cattle selection. The findings behind the initiative have been independently verified by the Carbon Trust, a UK-based environmental certification body.
The beef is supplied through the Irish Twenty20 producer group, a network of farmers working with Kepak and Tirlán across an integrated supply chain focused on sustainability improvements. More than 600 farmers are involved in the programme, with technical experts advising on breeding, feed efficiency, carbon sequestration and grassland improvements such as clover reseeding.
According to the group, these measures allow cattle to reach slaughter weight at a younger age while spending more of their lifetime on pasture, factors that contribute to lower emissions per animal.
The product is being sold in Tesco stores under the “Bright Meat Company” brand, a joint initiative between Tesco and Kepak. The range is positioned as a more sustainable option within the retailer’s beef offering, although it remains priced above standard beef while being cheaper than organic alternatives.
One of the participating farmers, DJ Keeley from Co Laois, said the approach has changed how cattle are raised on his farm. He explained that by using higher-value breeding bulls with improved feed efficiency, animals now reach finishing weight more quickly than before, reducing their overall environmental footprint.
He said cattle that previously remained on the farm for several additional months are now finished earlier, aligning more closely with market requirements and reducing resource use during their lifetime.
Tesco Ireland and Northern Ireland CEO Geoff Byrne said the initiative reflects growing consumer demand for more sustainable food products. He added that the retailer is working with suppliers and experts to support lower-impact food production as part of its goal to achieve net-zero emissions across its value chain by 2050.
Kepak CEO Brian Tormey said independent verification from the Carbon Trust marks an important milestone, highlighting efforts across the supply chain to build a more sustainable beef production model.
However, climate experts have offered a more cautious assessment. Emeritus Professor John Sweeney of Maynooth University said certification schemes of this kind have long been met with scepticism by environmentalists. While acknowledging progress made by companies like Kepak in reducing emissions intensity, he stressed that total emissions remain the critical issue.
He said carbon footprints are often used as a marketing tool but do not change the overall impact if herd sizes remain large. From a climate perspective, he argued, the atmosphere responds to total emissions rather than relative efficiency per animal.
Sweeney added that meaningful reductions in agricultural emissions will require broader structural changes, including diversification in farming systems and a reduction in livestock numbers, rather than improvements in efficiency alone.
