As the meat industry continues to come under fire for its carbon footprint, Tyson — the largest protein company in the United States — continues to lead the way on sustainability. This week, the company unveiled an ambitious plan that commits to net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions across its entire global operations and supply chain by 2050. This is on top of the company’s current target of a 30% GHG emissions reduction by 2030.
With this commitment, Tyson also becomes the first U.S.-based protein company to have its emissions reduction target approved by the Science Based Target Initiative (SBTi) and one of fewer than 30 food and beverage processing companies that have joined the SBTi initiative.
To meet it’s goal, Tyson will focus on six key areas:
- Updating the baseline for emissions to align with limiting global temperature rise to 1.5℃, consistent with the Paris Agreement, by the end of 2023.
- Establishing a pathway to using 50% renewable energy across its domestic operations by 2030.
- Completing initial land stewardship target of engaging 2-million feed acres and expanding the total acres by 2025, including a total target of 100% of feed purchased by 2030.
- Expanding the company’s current 5-million-acre grazing lands target for sustainable beef production practices by 2025.
- Continuing work to eliminate deforestation risk throughout its global supply chain by 2030.
- Supporting climate action policies through advocacy groups such as the Net Zero Business Alliance.
Donnie King, Tyson’s president and CEO said in a press release: “We believe what good food can do for people and the planet is powerful. Our net zero ambition is another important step in our work toward realizing our aspiration to become the most transparent and sustainable food company in the world. Partnership and collaboration will be critical to our efforts, and we look forward to working with our customers, supply chain partners, and other stakeholders to achieve net zero.”
For more information about Tyson’s environmental, social, and governance (ESG) efforts as a whole, visit the company’s ESG Hub, where you can also view a copy of their 2020 Progress Report.
