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In his address to delegates at the IMI Conference in Powerscourt, Co Wicklow, Tony Keohane, Chief Executive of Tesco Ireland said:
"We have been proactively investing and trialling new technologies in our stores across the country and as a result we have developed a more sustainable blueprint for our new buildings. Today's announcement is the next step in this process and will provide us with further learnings as we go about reducing our environmental impact. Key features of the store will include ecologically sound construction materials such as timber in preference to steel, new technology to create self sufficiency for heating and hot water, solar panels to generate electricity, air retrieval and recycling measures."

Mr Keohane also outlined that Ireland will have to step up to the plate in terms of setting an example in cutting carbon emissions. "Reducing Ireland's carbon footprint by 10 million tonnes between now and 2020 will change our lives and the way we behave. For example, we probably need to increase the level of renewable energy 10 fold within 15 years. Upwards of €25 billion may need to be spent in retrofitting our housing and building stock to meet EU energy efficiency standards."

"Business has a responsibility to give a lead through its own behaviour - and businesses like ours have a particular responsibility. This is not just about short term environment-friendly initiatives, important though some of those may be, but about transforming our business model so that the reduction of our carbon footprint becomes a central driver of our business and not some PR add-on."

Tesco Ireland says it is taking a number of practical steps to reduce its environmental impact and to help consumers make informed greener choices based on good science. The company is measuring the carbon footprint of 30 Tesco own brand products (seed to store), measuring the overall CO2 emissions throughout their life cycle.

Tesco Ireland's Chief Executive also told delegates that some hard choices will have to be made when it comes to the importation of products: "We all know that transporting a product by air creates far higher carbon emissions than any other form of transport. So we could say, 'let's scrap all imports by air'. Some of the poorest people on earth, in developing countries, can only get their goods to market by plane. Clearly the answer is "no". There are things we can do ourselves here at home, which will make a difference."

"Tesco Ireland is a big supporter of Irish farming and we want to see local Irish produce reclaim its pre-eminence with consumers. We have been actively working with farmers in North Dublin to start regrowing certain products, displace imports, and extend their growing seasons. Irish tomatoes, onions, and peppers are now more common than imports, and seasons for others such as baby potatoes, carrots, courgettes and strawberries have been lengthened."

"Not only is this very good economics but it contributes significantly to reducing our carbon footprint. But it is not always that straightforward."

"€655 million worth of Irish food and drink products is exported annually to the Tesco businesses internationally, making Tesco a more significant market destination than France or Germany. However, this adds substantially to our carbon footprint involving sea, air and land transport from Ireland."

"This poses a dilemma for Tesco Ireland: should we scale back those exports to reduce our carbon footprint?"

"The answer is that we are not going to do that. These exports make a very considerable contribution to the Irish economy, and are a foundation of our relationship with the wider community here. It does, however, throw up an interesting challenge of priorities, and obliges us to reduce our carbon footprint elsewhere in our operations."

Since announcing its Strategy for the Environment and Carbon Reduction last year Tesco Ireland has been investing and trialling new technologies throughout its store network, and as a result has developed a more sustainable blueprint for its new buildings. This includes an extensive energy management programme with energy managers appointed locally to all stores. The company commissioned its first Combined Heat and Power unit at Tesco Nutgrove store last year, saving 25% in energy costs. A bio diesel mix has been introduced to the distribution truck fleet along with double deck trailers which will save on road miles.

Features of the eco store:

• Timber frame shop floor instead of traditional steel
• Enhanced insulation to minimize heat loss
• Trigeneration Combined Heat and Power Plant producing the majority of all central heating and hot water for the store whilst also contributing to the electricity generation
• Double glazing sections in the roof to maximise natural light
• Photovoltaic roof cells that generate electricity for use instore
• Roof-top rainwater collection for use in toilets
• Cold air recycling system which takes cold air from chilled areas to warmer areas - reducing the need for air conditioning
• CO2 based refrigeration replacing the more traditional HFC refrigerants.
• Energy-saving LED lighting in all fridges with below shelving lips in dairy and milk cabinets to reduce cool air loss
• Bakery ovens that are 50% more efficient than similar installations
• Photocell lights in loading areas which are triggered by low external light
• Light movement sensors to ensure lights in offices and other staff areas are only on when this space is in use
• The building as designed will receive an A1 Building Energy Rating (BER) the highest energy efficient rating