Cargill Commits to Reducing Supply Chain EmissionsCargill Commits to Reducing Supply Chain Emissions

American agribusiness Cargill said Tuesday that it is adopting a new target to lower the greenhouse gas emissions of its supply chain by 30% per ton by 2030. 

The company will use the Greenhouse Gas Protocol Corporate Value Chain (Scope 3) Standard to achieve the reductions. Scope 3 was launched in 2011 as a method for companies across the globe to gauge their progress on lowering emissions in their value chains. 

To meet its goals, Cargill plans to work with farmers on improving soil health and provide assistance to farmers on innovative agricultural practices, market access, and strengthening agricultural communities. The company also said it intends to lower emissions in its beef supply chain with grazing management, feed production, innovation, and lowering amounts of food waste. Cargill is also seeking to lower emissions from transportation, including maritime shipping, in all of its businesses and supply chains. 

“Without bold and decisive actions by all involved in the production of food, climate change will destabilize the food system,” David MacLennan, chief executive officer and chairman of Cargill, said in a company press release. “We are determined to innovate, scale, and implement solutions with producers, our customers, and governments worldwide. Agriculture is how we will mitigate climate change, regenerate our soils and improve water use, while nourishing the world in a more sustainable way.”

In 2018, Cargill announced a plan to lower its overall greenhouse gas emissions by a minimum of 10%, or about 1.25 million mt/yr, by 2025. This plan and the new Scope 3 effort received approval from the Science Based Target Institute (WRI), an initiative that involves CDP, the United Nations Global Compact, World Resources Institute (WRI), and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF). 

“As a large and influential company in the agriculture sector, Cargill’s actions will positively impact the food industry and help companies further downstream reduce their own emissions,” said Cynthia Cummis, director of Private Sector Climate Mitigation at WRI, in a statement. “Throughout the target-setting process, Cargill has been a thoughtful and strategic partner who recognizes the critical urgency of addressing climate change.”

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