A Step Ahead in Carbon Footprint Transparency

Calculating the Carbon Footprint for Each Product
To accurately determine the carbon footprint for each product, every process involved in its production must be analyzed. At the Emsland Group, we take a “cradle to gate” approach — tracking emissions from the harvest of raw materials to the final packaging in logistics facilities. By summing all these processes, the carbon footprint per ton of product can be calculated, providing a comprehensive measure of its environmental impact.

Carbon Footprint Project at The Emsland Group
We are currently defining the carbon footprints for our extensive range of products. Our goal is to have this information available upon customer request by 2025 — years ahead of the EU regulatory requirements. This proactive approach underscores our dedication to sustainability and our commitment to supporting our customers in their environmental initiatives.

Importance of Our Carbon Footprint Project
Collaborative Innovation: By sharing carbon footprint information, we encourage collaboration with our customers to develop more sustainable practices and products. This partnership fosters innovation and drives mutual growth.

Enhanced Sustainability Credentials: By providing detailed carbon footprint data for each product, we enable our customers to accurately assess and reduce the environmental impact of their supply chains. This transparency helps them meet their sustainability goals and enhances their reputation as environmentally responsible companies.

Informed Decision-Making: Access to carbon footprint data allows our customers to make more informed purchasing decisions, selecting products that align with their sustainability targets. This can lead to more efficient and eco-friendly product choices.

Regulatory Compliance: Our proactive approach to carbon footprint measurement ensures that our customers are well-prepared to meet upcoming EU regulations. By offering this information ahead of regulatory deadlines, we help our customers stay ahead of compliance requirements.

Competitive Advantage: Providing carbon footprint data positions our customers as leaders in sustainability. This transparency can differentiate them in the marketplace, attracting environmentally conscious consumers and business partners.

Learn more about our sustainability efforts.

What Does a Product Carbon Footprint Mean for Customers?
By measuring and transparently sharing the carbon footprints of products, producers empower customers to achieve their sustainability goals and strengthen their market position. As a significant part of our customers’ “Scope 3” emissions, our data can greatly influence their overall carbon footprint calculations, helping them make more sustainable choices and improve their environmental impact.

Competitive Edge in Carbon Footprint Calculations
We have learned that not only are we ahead of the average comparable European company in these calculations, but we also have significantly lower carbon emissions. This is thanks to the sustainable practices we have already implemented—some in place for several decades—and our ongoing efforts for sustainable optimization. Our measures include:

• Use of Green Energy: Utilizing green energy sources near our plants for drying processes.
• Efficient Water Usage: Implementing water treatment processes that purify and reintroduce wastewater into local ecosystems.
• Support of Suppliers: Working with our suppliers on more environmentally friendly practices, for example helping to breed disease-resistant potatoes that require less fertilizers and implementing green solutions to crop pests.
• Frequent and Transparent Sustainability Goals: Every few years, the Emsland Group publishes a Sustainability Report, a transparent look into the company’s operations and sustainability efforts – this is used as a basis for the next sustainability targets for the group.

These practices have kept our carbon footprint small and demonstrate our long-standing commitment to sustainability.

Conclusion
At the Emsland Group, we believe that sustainability is not only a responsibility but also a strategic advantage. By measuring and sharing the carbon footprints of our products, we empower our customers to meet their sustainability goals and strengthen their market position. Our proactive approach to carbon footprint calculation positions us as leaders in the industry, committed to building a more sustainable future together with our partners. As we work towards making this information available by 2025, we reaffirm our dedication to environmental stewardship and our support for our customers’ sustainability initiatives.

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