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Del Monte Foods Commits to 2050 Net-Zero Emissions Goal
April 13, 2022
 Del
Monte Foods aims to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 in line with the Science
Based Targets Initiative's (SBTi) Net-Zero Standard. To achieve this goal, the
company has also committed to define near-term science-based targets to reduce
Scopes 1, 2 and 3 carbon emissions that support SBTi's focus on limiting global
temperature rise to 1.5°C.
Aligning with SBTi gives the company a clearly defined and measurable path to
not only achieve its long-term goal of net-zero emissions by 2050, but also
drive near-term and consistent progress for reducing emissions across its supply
chain. Science-based targets provide companies with an established approach,
including 2030 milestone goals, to reduce emissions that also support the Paris
Agreement.
"As Growers of Good, creating a healthy and more hopeful tomorrow has been at
the core of Del Monte Foods' purpose for over 130 years," said Greg Longstreet,
President and CEO of Del Monte Foods. "Committing to a net-zero emissions goal,
aligned with SBTi, extends our environmental sustainability commitments and
gives us aggressive and measurable milestones to reach as we strive to nourish
the planet, people and communities for many generations to come."
To achieve its net-zero goal, Del Monte Foods plans to reduce or eliminate the
majority of its existing emissions rather than purchase external carbon credits
to offset emissions. This approach is also aligned with SBTi's requirement that
registered companies reduce at least 90% of baseline emissions, minimizing the
use of carbon credits.
Del Monte Foods has already made important strides on its path to
decarbonization, including:
Streamlining its operations footprint to maximize output and eliminate
unnecessary emissions from facilities operating at less than full capacity.
Doubling its capital investment in production operations over the past three
years to add automation and other technologies for improved efficiency and
reduced waste.
Investing in renewable energy, including installing a 3MW solar array at its
Hanford, CA facility, one of the company's largest sites.
Increasing the use of rail by 20% over the past year, while optimizing truck
transportation by increasing average truck miles per gallon by 14.3%.
Reducing food waste, including diverting more than 25 million pounds of food
from landfills over the past two years through a focus on upcycling and food
donations. An upcycling leader, Del Monte Foods' Blue LakeŽ Petite Cut and Blue
LakeŽ Farmhouse Cut Green Beans products were the industry's first canned
vegetable product to be Upcycled Certified by the Upcycled Food Association, the
world's only third-party certification program for upcycled food ingredients and
products.
 As
it strives for net-zero emissions, Del Monte Foods will continue to invest in
key areas to aggressively reduce carbon emissions in both direct and indirect
operations, including renewable energy, automation technology, transportation
efficiency, earth-friendly packaging innovation, and regenerative agricultural
practices in partnership with its network of U.S.-based, multi-generational
growers.
"It's exciting to be aligned with the most aggressive path to net-zero," said
Molly Laverty, Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Senior Manager at Del
Monte Foods. "The food industry has an important role to play in reducing
greenhouse gas emissions, and Del Monte Foods is committed to doing all we can
to accelerate progress."
Now that Del Monte Foods has registered its net-zero commitment with SBTi, it
will develop specific 2030 emissions reduction targets aligned with SBTi
criteria which will be presented to SBTi for official validation. Once
validated, Del Monte Foods will publicly announce these targets as well as
report company-wide emissions and progress against these targets each year. |
