Kerry, a global taste and nutrition company, has released details of its accelerated sustainability targets to align with the Paris Agreement goal of limiting global temperature increases by 1.5 degrees Celsius. The company has increased its targets for Scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions reduction from 33% to 55% by 2030. The goal strengthens its sustainability strategy and commitments, including a target to halve its food waste and reach over two billion people with sustainable nutrition solutions by 2030. The company has also revised its social sustainability targets with the aim of achieving the highest levels of inclusion, belonging and engagement with equal gender representation at senior management by 2030.
The revised targets will require the introduction and acceleration of several initiatives across the company including a move to 100% renewable electricity within 12 months, implementation of energy efficiency programmes to reduce onsite fuel consumption, and a 30% reduction of emission intensity across the supply chain by 2030.
The company aims to source 100% of its priority raw materials by 2030. Its packaging commitments are planned to ensure by 2025, 100% of all plastic used will be reusable, recyclable or compostable and that virgin plastic use will be reduced by 25%.
The increased commitments have been announced in response to the findings of the latest Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report which reinforced the urgency of achieving emissions reductions in line with limiting global average temperature increase to 1.5°C before 2050 to avoid the worst impacts of climate change.
Edmond Scanlon, CEO of Kerry, said: “Kerry is committed to not only working to reduce its impact on the environment but also to collaborating with its suppliers and food and beverage companies globally to help support them achieve their sustainability targets. Through the creation of technology solutions, the expertise of our people and innovative ways of creating tasty and nutritious food and beverage products, we are working with our customers to help them move along the sustainable nutrition spectrum so they too can reduce their carbon emissions, food waste or water usage. The range and complexity of challenges our industry is facing right now is unprecedented with every product requiring its own specific Kerry solution.”
