Pilgrim’s UK achieve impressive carbon reduction results as they stride towards their pledge to be Net Zero by 2035
Verco and Pilgrim’s UK have been working together since 2010 across all of Pilgrim’s UK food production facilities. We continue to work in partnership towards achieving Net Zero and have made significant achievements including 25% reduction in energy and water consumption and a 60% reduction in scope 1 and 2 emissions.
Pilgrim’s UK is Britain’s biggest higher welfare pig farmer and producer of sustainably produced quality pork products. Pilgrim’s UK sets their vision to be the most sustainable producer and supplier in the industry.
The work between Pilgrim’s UK and Verco has set many ambitious goals, demonstrated delivered success, and has led the industry with new ideas and approaches.
The beginning of a strong, long-standing partnership
This long-standing partnership started in 2010 when 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 teams have continued to work together to develop Pilgrim’s UK’s net zero pathway as well as setting and validating their Science Based Targets (SBTi) and developing their 2030 strategy to achieve their goals.
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.
Impressive achievements as a result of good data, collaboration and stakeholder engagement
- 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. They pledge 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.
- 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.
- Ownership and accountability throughout Pilgrim’s UK – utilising cascaded KPIs all the way from CEO to shop floor team on utilities reduction targets.
- 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.
- Embedded a culture where carbon is a major consideration across the entire organisation.
- Packaging volume reduced over the last year by 2,945 tonnes.
- 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.
Pilgrim’s UK have made further sustainability commitments for the future
- To be net zero by 2035. Pilgrim’s UK aims to achieve net zero scope 1 & 2 emissions by 2030.
- 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.
- 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.
Verco and Pilgrim’s UK have formed a strong and trusting professional relationship over the course of the partnership that has developed over 13 years. Numerous stakeholders at all levels within Pilgrim’s UK have been in constant communication to take advantage of the technical expertise provided by Verco.
Matt Dight, Head of Sustainability at Pilgrim’s UK has been vital to driving the net zero strategy and working with Verco to set a robust framework of planning, delivery, and reporting. Our work together has set ambitious goals, demonstrated delivered success, and has led the industry with new ideas and approaches.
The Pilgrim’s UK 2030 Sustainability plan is leading the way in the industry, with clear targets and ambitions to drive change in the next decade. Pilgrim’s UK sets their vision to be the most sustainable producer and supplier in the industry and Verco are pleased to be part of their journey.
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