IN THE run up to COP26, Addo Food Group, whose product portfolio includes some of Britain’s best–known food brands, has announced it is taking serious climate action with an ambition to lead their sector, by joining the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) as a Business Ambition for 1.5°C signatory. As part of its bold new sustainability strategy – which aims to ensure Addo is as environmentally and socially conscious as its food is tasty – the company has committed to achieve net zero by 2035 and by setting science-based targets across its whole value chain in line with limiting the global temperature rise to 1.5°C as set out by the Paris Agreement. Its targets will then be validated against the latest SBTi criteria and published online.
Joining the Science Based Targets initiative ensures Addo Food Group’s low- carbon transformation will be aligned with the climate science and through this new strategy, Addo joins a growing group of leading companies that demonstrate the highest level of climate ambition, paving the way to net zero, as well as meeting increasing demand from retail customers for sustainable products.
Deborah Bolton, CEO of Addo Food Group, said: “In the lead up to COP26 later this year, the importance of sustainable business has never been clearer. Climate change and its impact on society is no longer a problem for tomorrow – it’s happening now and it’s why we must be brave and set ourselves a 2035 target to achieve net zero. We believe the food sector has a vital role to play in the transition to a zero-carbon economy and, as such, we have a responsibility to take meaningful action and we intend to lead on this as part of our wider business transformation strategy. This is why we’re taking the time to completely rethink our sustainability strategy and have committed to the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). We have always put environmental concerns at the forefront of our operations, but now we’re committing to bolder, more tangible action as we align our business with the transition to net zero.
“This is what our customers want, and we know it is the right thing for us to do – but this is only part of the journey, and we know it won’t be easy,” Bolton continues. “While our environmental impact has always been a key consideration in our operations, we’re not experts in climate science so this is new to us. We don’t have all the answers yet so achieving our ambitions will involve a lot of learning and collaboration. We have already mapped our carbon footprint and have been engaging with our customers, colleagues and key stakeholders to help us refine our sustainability strategy and, while we’re still refining our strategy, we know net zero will be our guiding star. I’ve been overwhelmed by the level of support we’ve received so far and while I know shifting to a sustainable business model and reaching net zero by 2035 will be a challenge, I’m confident we can take it on.”
Addo Food Group, whose brands include Pork Farms, Wall’s Pastry, Bowyers, and Millers Bakery, has identified its most important sustainability goal as achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions and its aim to do so in the next 14 years will be central to its new sustainability strategy. In the coming months, Addo will be looking at fresh, innovative ways to embed sustainability throughout its operations, both internally and externally. This will include continuing to pay close attention to initiatives around climate smart packaging and food waste as well as taking action to align its business operations with the principles of a circular economy.
The group will also support its employees by upskilling them on the business’ new company climate goals and initiatives. The leadership team will receive training through a CPD certified Climate Literacy Programme to ensure fluency in net zero and carbon.
Paul Simpson, CEO of CDP and one of the SBTi partners, said: “The science is clear; in order to limit the catastrophic impacts of climate change, we must ensure warming does not exceed 1.5°C. The ambition is high but it’s achievable, and science-based targets give companies a roadmap for reaching this target. Corporations worldwide have an unprecedented opportunity to be at the very forefront of the transition to a net zero economy and there is no time to lose.”
The Business Ambition campaign has been set to encourage companies to reduce their targets in line with a 1.5°C future and is backed by a global coalition of UN leaders, business organisations and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to help support the cause.
For more information about Addo Food Group, please visit: addofoodgroup.co
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