Britain's biggest retailer also pledged to label every product with its "carbon footprint" – the amount of carbon dioxide generated during its production and distribution – to help customers choose environmentally-friendly goods.

The moves, which are designed to appeal to the growing number of "green shoppers" as well as help cut Tesco's overheads, follows a pledge from Marks & Spencer to be carbon neutral within five years.

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Other supermarkets are expected to unveil their green agendas over the next few months.

Environmental campaigners who have criticised Tesco's green record, welcomed the announcement as a step in the right direction.

Sir Terry Leahy, Tesco's chief executive officer, announced the plans during a speech on climate change in which he promised to lead a "revolution in sustainability".

Sir Terry said Tesco would bring down the cost of being green and provide better information to help shoppers make green choices.

The supermarket will halve the price of energy efficient light bulbs, offer more biofuels in its petrol stations and use its Green Clubcard scheme to promote energy efficient appliances, including televisions that use less power when in stand-by mode.

It will also begin the search for a universally accepted label to detail the carbon footprint of every product.

Sir Terry said the store would also reduce Tesco's reliance on air transport by restricting it to less than one per cent of products. All air freighted products will carry an aeroplane symbol.