Major North American food companies are making some progress in reducing their greenhouse gas emissions, but supply chain emissions remain a major challenge.
Georgina Gustin reports for Inside Climate News.
In short:
- Many food companies are lowering their direct emissions but struggle to reduce supply chain emissions, which represent 90% of the total.
- Ceres found that of the 50 companies it analyzed, only 12 managed to cut emissions from their supply chains.
- Reducing emissions tied to agriculture, such as from deforestation or livestock, remains the toughest hurdle for these companies.
Key quote:
“If you don’t have a target and don’t know what you’re aiming for, you’re much less likely to be heading in the right direction.”
— Meryl Richards, Ceres program director
Why this matters:
The food system is responsible for up to 40% of global emissions. Supply chain emissions, particularly from agriculture, are difficult to manage but critical for meeting climate goals.
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