Fresh Del Monte Commits to Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions by 2030; Hans Sauter Discusses
MIAMI, FL - As many companies work to become more sustainable, Fresh Del Monte Produce is helping to lead the vanguard. The vertically integrated company recently announced that its emissions reduction targets were approved by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) as consistent with the levels required to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement.
“We’re thrilled to receive approval of our emissions reduction targets by the Science Based Targets initiative, which furthers our commitment to protect the health of our planet today and for future generations,” said Hans Sauter, Chief Sustainability Officer and Senior Vice President of Research and Development. “The food system is a vital area for climate action, and we hope to lead by example and inspire others in the industry to make the commitment toward this much-needed change.”
The 27.5 percent reduction target covers greenhouse gas emissions from the company’s operations (scopes 1 and 2) and is consistent with reductions required to keep global warming to well below 2°C, a press release explained.
Fresh Del Monte’s 12.3 percent reduction target for emissions from its value chain (scope 3), which includes emissions from purchased goods and services, upstream transportation and distribution, waste generated in operations, and employee commuting, meet the SBTi’s criteria for ambitious value chain goals, meaning they are in line with current best practice.
The release went on to note that Fresh Del Monte committed to the initiative in 2020, making this a significant milestone for the company. Last year, 63 percent of its capital expenditures benefitted climate action.
Fresh Del Monte also created a proprietary new environmental action tool and database to track data facility by facility, covering 100 percent of Fresh Del Monte’s global operations. This will help manage its emissions, water, and waste.
Furthermore, Sauter will join industry leaders in a panel discussion on “Sustainable and Regenerative Agriculture at the Center of Development Strategies - Challenges and Opportunities,” at the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) and the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP15) in Glasgow, United Kingdom, to share his insights on the company’s sustainability initiatives.
We look forward to seeing what’s next from Fresh Del Monte!
