HELSINKI, Finland – Today, international food and beverage company Paulig announced its ambition to reduce its total global greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) to net zero by 2045. The net zero targets are a natural continuum following Paulig’s current 2030 targets and ambition level, validated by the Science Based Targets Initiative and aligned with the 1.5°C pathway.
“This commitment is a continuation of our climate actions and an important step forward in our journey of becoming a sustainable frontrunner in the industry. In recent years, we have progressed towards our goals for 2030 and will continue implementing these actions and initiatives.
Setting a long-term net-zero target will guide us in accelerating our transition and actions for coming decades, including planning new innovations, setting growth targets and providing important signals for implementing new technologies”, says Rolf Ladau, CEO of Paulig.
Paulig is currently committed to reducing GHG emissions by 50% from its value chain and by 80% from its own operations by 2030 from the 2018 baseline
Paulig’s climate targets are approved by the Science Based Target initiative and aligned with the Paris agreement 1.5C ambition.
To ensure its targets continue to be aligned with latest climate science, Paulig will validate this long-term goal with Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) alongside updating our 2030 targets with the latest Forest, Land, and Agriculture sector guidance.
Driving transformation through innovative climate initiatives and collaborations
To achieve net zero emissions, Paulig will continue to implement its emissions reduction programs both in own operations (Scope 1&2) and in key value chains (Scope 3). Long-term planning includes iteratively refining the roadmaps, including switching to renewable energy beyond electricity, investment in innovative technologies and expanding new farming methods.
One concrete tool to drive this transformation is Paulig’s unique climate fund, launched in 2023. The fund is used to kick-start and support new practices and innovations to reduce emissions where they have the biggest impact: Paulig’s coffee, wheat and corn value chains and logistics. The annually chosen climate projects are implemented together with partners and suppliers.
To create a real impact, actions are needed across actors in the industry. To strengthen collaboration, Paulig has also joined the Consumer Goods Forum’s Net Zero Coalition together with 18 leading global consumer goods brands, retailers, and manufacturers. The initiative focuses on delivering on and accelerating the consumer goods industry’s commitments to reducing GHG emissions. It aims to enhance the industry’s internal capabilities to achieve Net Zero and pushes for actively integrate emissions reductions.
“We have already taken many steps in our own operations and are constantly developing and implementing new solutions for more sustainable future of food. The net zero commitment reflects our belief in the power of businesses to drive positive change. We hope to see more partners and companies joining us on this transformation journey and prioritize sustainability. By working together, we can create a better future for our planet and coming generations,” Rolf Ladau concludes.
Fact box
Paulig has global supply chains, and its products are sold in over 70 countries. As an international food and beverage company it stands in the middle of the food value chain, having the ability to impact both ends: at the root where raw materials come from and towards consumers.
The company has been steadily progressing towards its goals, and in 2023, Paulig reduced greenhouse gas emissions in its own operations by 22 per cent from the 2018 baseline.
Paulig’s other concrete climate efforts in the recent years have included, for example:
- All of the company’s 11 sites run on 100% renewable electricity and 6 out of 11 factories have also switched to 100% renewable biogas.
- Several sustainable farming projects in the coffee and wheat value chains with suppliers and partners.
- As the result of the climate projects, Paulig has introduced its first products with lower climate impact: the Santa Maria wheat tortillas with up to 50% lower climate impact*
- As one of the first coffee companies in the world, Paulig brought easy-open, recyclable vacuum coffee packaging to retail stores in Finland and in Estonia.
- Paulig has added nature as part of its sustainability targets to strengthen biodiversity protection.
- The company continues to work on accelerating the availability of local biogas and long-term energy transition options.
- Paulig is working on ensuring that 100% of raw materials from high-risk areas come from sustainable sources verified by external parties.
*Comparison between an LCA performed by RISE in 2023 on Santa Maria Wheat Tortilla Original (Medium, 8 pcs) and a 2012 study.
