Ferrero’s 12th sustainability report targets major carbon footprint reduction
The Ferrero Group has released its 12th sustainability report, placing significant reduction of its carbon footprint by 2030 alongside maintaining sustainable cocoa sourcing strategies as among its core goals, reports Neill Barston.
As the company noted, its global activities have been posed significant challenges amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, which it has reacted to with a strong focus on protecting the health and safety of workforces and farmers in its vital agricultural supply chains around the world.
In response, it has delivered an extensive information programme and preventative measures in providing protective and hygiene equipment, with a notable focus on less developed markets with limited resources.
Significantly, its sustainability report highlights the completion of several key targets central to its business model, including moves to protect the environment, source ingredients sustainably, promote responsible consumption, as well as policies designed to empower its employees and consumers.
It noted key progress on central goals including attaining 100% sustainable cocoa beans through independently managed schemes and 100% certified cane sugar through Bonsucro and Altromercato. In terms of renewable energy, it purchased 100% green electricity for its manufacturing plants in Europe in Fiscal Year 2019/2020, and 71.5% of the electricity purchased globally was from renewable sources.
As previously reported by Confectionery Production, In 2019, the business committed to making 100% of its packaging to be reusable, recyclable or compostable by 2025, as part of its support for the circular economy – with results as of 2020 revealing 82.9% of this target had been achieved.
Regarding the key issue of human rights, it has delivered collaborations with leading experts to identify risks and devise its due diligence approach, as well as entering partnerships to scale positive impact, such as with Save the Children.
Carbon measures
As the business noted, one of its new ambitious targets as part of its report is to continue to significantly reduce the Group’s carbon footprint by 2030. These are science-based carbon targets, validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) in December 2020, with the following commitments: reducing absolute Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 50% globally by 2030, using 2018 as the base year. Furthermore, the company has also pledged to reduce Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions intensity by 43% per tonne of product produced at a global level, against figures beginning three years ago.
Giovanni Ferrero, Executive Chairman of the Ferrero Group, commented on the report amid an especially challenging year. He said: “The impacts of Covid-19 have changed our business and our industry, and they continue to be felt globally. Despite these challenges, the Ferrero Group successfully adapted, and prioritised consumer and employee health and safety. I would like to thank all the Ferrero employees and partners who have pulled together over the last year to continue to deliver for our customers while supporting the communities we are proud to be part of.”
Lapo Civiletti, Chief Executive Officer of the Ferrero Group, noted that its sustainability achievements to date, including on 100% sustainable cocoa sourcing as significant milestones for the business.
He said: “Beyond manufacturing, protecting workers and farmers in agricultural supply chains was a key priority, especially in less developed markets. Our partnerships and collaborations have proved invaluable to reaching those in need of support. As we close out our 2020 goals, we are proud to have met our target to source 100% sustainable cocoa through independently managed standards. We have now extended the target to include outsourced chocolate to provide full transparency of our cocoa supply chain. We continued to source 100% RSPO certified segregated palm oil and we are developing a transition roadmap for the newly acquired Companies toward our responsible sourcing standards.”