Bakkavor Group marks milestone with SBTi approval of climate and decarbonisation targets

The Science Based Target’s initiative (SBTi) has approved Bakkavor Group’s suite of net-zero science-based targets.

The announcement follows the group reporting an operational emissions reduction of 23.2% in just two years, a significant achievement given that sale volumes have increased over the same period.

The targets cover all scopes including near-term, long-term and FLAG targets, which account for Bakkavor’s direct and indirect emissions originating from forest, land use and agriculture.

The group’s near-term targets are part of the ‘Trusted Partner’ ESG strategy, and include a commitment to reduce absolute Scope 1, 2 and 3 GHG emissions by 42% by 2030 (2021 baseline).

Bakkavor said it has already made a reduction of 23.3% since 2021 in our net operational (scopes 1&2) emissions. Continuing direct emissions reductions such as those already achieved through recent upgrades in energy efficiency and refrigeration projects is the priority.

In the UK, process-specific opportunities to address refrigeration and natural gas emissions have been identified and incorporated into ongoing engineering programmes, Bakkavor added.

These include zero carbon refrigerants, electrification and heat recovery technologies. In the US, the business will continue to focus on moving away from high-carbon refrigerants and minimising leaks, whilst beginning to increase use of renewable energy in China, through on-site solar and international renewable energy certificates.

Ben Waldron, CFO noted the approval of its targets by the SBTi is an important milestone on the path to reaching net zero.

“Our Group strategy is underpinned by a commitment to operational excellence and this culture of continuous improvement is contributing to the significant reduction in emissions across our sites,” Waldron explained. To further incentivise progress, scope 1 and 2 targets are now incorporated in the business’s Long Term Incentive Plan.”

The targets are Bakkavor’s roadmap to net zero.

“Reaching them won’t be easy, but we’re on the way,” Caroline Carson, head of group ESG strategy said. “In the food sector, we are both deeply reliant on the environment and have major impacts on it. The successful transition of the food sector will be critical to overcoming the climate emergency and ensuring a resilient food future. Net zero targets highlight the need for us all to be driving together in the same direction.”

Related content