Pilgrim's

Objective

Pilgrim’s UK sets their vision to be the most sustainable producer and supplier in the industry. The Pilgrim’s UK 2030 Sustainability plan is leading the way within the industry, with clear targets and ambitions to drive change within the next decade.

Process

Verco has been working with Pilgrim's UK since 2010 across all its UK food production facilities.

• in 2010, Pilgrim's UK asked Verco to complete an energy management and monitoring programme. This was done at an operational level, using Verco’s software, Carbon Desktop.
• The Verco team was then asked to work with the Pilgrim’s group team to develop Pilgrim’s UK’s net zero pathway as well as setting and validating their Science Based Target with the SBTi and developing their 2030 strategy to deliver on this.
• Since then, Verco continues to work with Pilgrim’s UK’s site and group teams across multiple roles and functions to develop Pilgrim’s internal capability and deliver on the strategy. Pilgrim’s UK have implemented a number of projects in order to achieve their impressive energy reduction results. Projects include carrying out detailed energy audits to form their site net zero roadmaps as well as expanding the data collection and monitoring programme across the business. We also work alongside the site teams to develop and delivery improvement projects on the ground.

Outcome

• Set a validated Science Based Target and made a public net zero pledge. Pilgrim’s UK, aims to achieve net zero scope 1 & 2 emissions by 2030, pledges to move the entire agriculture supply chain to be net zero by 2035, with a minimum 30% reduction in scope 3 GHG emissions by 2030.
• Embedded a culture where carbon is a major consideration across the entire organisation.
• Successfully implemented a company-wide monitoring, targeting and reporting platform to effectively manage scope 1 & 2 emissions both operationally and against strategic corporate goals.
• Identified a defined net zero pathway that tackles the ‘big decisions’ such as thermal decarbonisation.
• Delivered a wide range of projects that have reduced both carbon and operational cost.

• Pilgrim’s UK also expects to work with Verco to further develop its strategy around FLAG emissions as well as making its ‘long term’ net zero aim with the SBTi.

• Pilgrim’s UK were able to achieve a 25% reduction in their energy and water consumption since 2019 – in large part through a low cost and no cost initiative driven by Verco’s data collection systems and tools.

• Pilgrim’s UK have also reduced their scope 1 and 2 emissions by 60% since 2019, and announced a further £10m investment in 2022 for Greenhouse Gas Reduction Projects.

• Packaging volume reduced over the last year by 2,945 tonnes.

• Ownership and accountability throughout Pilgrim’s UK – utilising cascaded KPIs all the way from CEO to shop floor team on utilities reduction targets.

In addition to the achievements to date and the multi-stakeholder alignment across Pilgrim’s UK, they have committed to:

• To be net zero by 2035.

• Commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development goal 12.3 on food waste – Pilgrim’s UK have already achieved their 2030 target and are leaders within the food industry.
• Maintain its leading position on food waste and redistributed >1million meals in 2022.

Verco continues to work with Pilgrim’s UK’s site and group teams across multiple roles and functions to develop Pilgrim’s internal capability and deliver on the strategy.