Tyson Foods plans to achieve net zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions across worldwide operations and throughout the supply chain by the year 2050, the company announced June 9.
“At Tyson Foods, we believe progress requires accountability and transparency and we are proud to exemplify that as we work to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050,” said John R. Tyson, Chief Sustainability Officer, Tyson Foods.
“As the first U.S.-based protein company in the food and beverage sector to have an emissions reduction target approved by the Science Based Target initiative, we hope to continue to push the industry as a leader and remain committed to making a positive impact on our planet, with our team members, consumers and customers, and in the communities we serve.”
The goal is an expansion of the company’s 2018 science-based target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 30% by 2030.
Consumers, led by Gen Z and millennials, are becoming increasingly thoughtful about what they consume. This means that values like sustainability now play a larger role in purchasing decisions and could continue to impact product sales going forward.
Commitment to sustainability
To meet the 2050 goal, Tyson Foods announced several key areas of focus, including:
- A transition to 50 percent renewable energy across domestic operations by 2030.
- Support improved environmental practices on more than two million feed acres by 2025, with a total target of 100% of feed purchased by 2030.
- Verify sustainable beef production practices on more than five million acres of cattle grazing land in the U.S.
- Eliminate deforestation risk throughout the global supply chain by 2030.
“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,” said Donnie King, who was recently named the company’s CEO and President.
“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.”
Tyson Foods plans to continue working with the World Wildlife Fund Forest Land and Agriculture (FLAG) Consultive Group and sustain partnerships with organizations such as World Resources Institute, The Nature Conservancy, Environmental Defense Fund, and World Wildlife Fund in their quest to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions.
Tyson Foods is the largest broiler company in the United States and the fifth largest turkey producer. The company is also a major producer of pork and beef products, and it recently entered the plant-based protein sector.
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