Cranswick’s commitment to Net Zero by 2040 continues apace, with Cranswick Country Foods Poultry, Hull the latest site to be awarded the PAS 2060 Carbon Neutral specification.
The PAS 2060 certification reflects the site’s accomplishments in minimising carbon emissions since 2016, as well as approving the team's further emissions-reduction plan. Over the last five years, the Hull team have unlocked carbon reduction opportunities across the business, steered by a site leadership team upskilled through accredited climate literacy training, and well-supported by an engaged workforce. Verified carbon offsets neutralise the site’s remaining emissions while delivering further social and environmental benefits in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
REDUCING CARBON TO DATE
Decarbonisation projects have been realised across multiple areas of the Hull site’s operations, resulting in a 45% reduction of Scope 1 & 2 emissions (vs 2017 baseline).
Notable carbon reduction solutions have included:
- Lighting efficiency projects - LED lighting and sensor systems which automatically switch off lights in office areas when not in use.
- Energy-efficient motors as standard on all new machinery, formalised in site Common User Requirement Specifications.
- Zero Waste to Landfill, increasing recycling efficiency and provision of dedicated recycling bins.
- The move to a fully renewable energy tariff to deliver zero emissions from electricity usage.
DELIVERING CARBON NEUTRALITY
Andrew Gleadow, Managing Director of Cranswick Country Foods Poultry, reflects on the Hull site’s achievements:
"Over the last five years, the team have worked tirelessly to integrate sustainable practices across our operations, and I'm delighted to confirm that we've achieved PAS 2060 Carbon Neutral status. We've unlocked energy efficiencies in lighting and machine operations, moved to a renewable energy tariff and achieved Zero Waste to Landfill. There is much to be proud of, but our focus is firmly on the future and moving further and faster on the road to Net Zero. The site team are energised behind our plans and supported with accredited climate-skills training - we're all fully committed to a broad range of solutions to further reduce emissions. We're passionate about playing our part in Cranswick's mission to be the world's most sustainable meat business – showcasing that a successful business is a sustainable business."
Emissions yet to be completely eliminated are offset by a portfolio of strategic projects, as voted for by site colleagues. Verra, leading offset certification body, has validated these high-quality clean energy and reforestation initiatives. Projects remove the balance of emissions still produced by the site while delivering positive social impacts aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):
1. Portel-Pará REDD amazon rainforest protection and community investment project
This project is working to avert unplanned deforestation in rainforests native to Brazil, and will prevent over 22 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent greenhouse gas emissions over a 40 year period. This will be achieved by managing the land in the form of a "private conservation reserve" through rigorous monitoring and enforcement, while also providing support and employment opportunities to the local community. The project is in an area holding numerous species of animals, including mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians, some of which are considered endangered or vulnerable, making it extremely important for biodiversity conservation.
2. Wind Energy Project, Maharashtra, India
This project generates a clean form of electricity through renewable wind energy while establishing sustainable livelihood opportunities servicing the wind farm. The Project envisages the implementation of 97 turbines in the Maharashtra state of India with a total project capacity of 199.7 MW. The green electricity generated will be exported to the NEWNE electricity grid, displacing an equivalent amount of electricity which would otherwise have been generated by fossil fuels. There will also be a marginal contribution to reducing the energy demand supply gap in the state of Rajasthan and Gujarat.
3. Southern Cardamom REDD+, Cambodia
The Southern Cardamom REDD+ Project is part of the United Nation’s Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation portfolio. The Project’s climate benefits result in the avoided emission of over 115,000 million tCO2e over its lifetime. Community co-benefits include new and sustainable livelihood opportunities in 21 villages around the perimeter of the project area. Biodiversity conservation is supported by protecting critical habitat for significant populations of many IUCN listed species, including the Asian elephant and several critically endangered reptiles.
What’s next?
The PAS 2060 standard requires the approval of a future emissions reductions plan. The team at Cranswick Country Foods Poultry, Hull, has a robust roadmap, including:
- Refrigerant system upgrades, switching cooling systems to ammonia glycol to reduce onsite f-gas usage by 95%
- Achieve ISO 14001 accreditation while maintaining ISO 50001
- Replace forklifts with electric forklifts, eliminating the use of LPG
- Installation of solar panels to deliver site-generated renewable electricity
- Reviewing feasibility of heat pumps to provide site heat and hot water
- Explore RGGOs and water retention systems
The site already benefits from climate-trained leaders, engaged colleagues and internal ‘Changemakers’, who act as Net Zero advocates. Over the next year, the appointment of a new Operational Efficiency Team and Waste Champion will accelerate progress, ensuring further energy savings and recycling solutions are exploited to their full potential.
This package of actions delivers a path to Net Zero emissions by 2040, 10 years ahead of the UK government’s Net Zero target.
The team at Cranswick Country Foods Poultry, Hull joins Cranswick Convenience Foods Barnsley, Cranswick Convenience Foods Sutton Fields, Cranswick Gourmet Sausage Lazenbys, Cranswick Continental Foods Bury, Cranswick Country Foods Ballymena, Cranswick Convenience Foods Milton Keynes, Cranswick Gourmet Pastry in Malton and Cranswick Country Foods at Riverside, who have all achieved carbon neutrality.