Tetra Pak has released its annual Sustainability Report, outlining the progress made on various aspects of sustainability throughout its business operations in 2020, shedding light on its future commitments and ambitions.
The global pandemic has impacted lives and economies like never before, while at the same time it has also stressed the need to accelerate sustainable actions and find urgent solutions to the planetary challenges we are facing.
Adolfo Orive, President & CEO at Tetra Pak, said: “Our sustainability report reiterates the need for a comprehensive, holistic approach to sustainability – where we are protecting the food that is produced globally, the people that we work with, and the planet we live in. Towards that end, we have maintained a particular focus on reducing our carbon footprint, increasing recycling, protecting biodiversity, and enhancing access to safe, nutritious food for people worldwide. The last year has seen significant progress across all these areas, as well as towards our future ambitions to achieve net-zero emissions across the value chain by 2050 and to deliver the world’s most sustainable food package – one that is made solely from responsibly sourced renewable or recycled materials is fully recyclable and carbon neutral.”
Tetra Pak’s 2021 Sustainability Report also emphasizes how the company has stepped up its investment and innovation efforts, joining forces across the board to address the need for greater consumption of food while reducing the impact on natural resources.
The full report can be found here, with some of the key achievements highlighted below:
· Supporting continuity of safe food supplies throughout the COVID-19 crisis, together with customers and suppliers
· Collaborations to ensure 64 million children in 45 countries received milk or other nutritious beverages in Tetra Pak packages in their schools, despite the pandemic
· Expansion of its Dairy Hub initiatives, including in Albania and Senegal, to provide support for 39,806 farmers, of which 98% were smallholders
· Ranked as a leader by CDP for environmental transparency and action for the fifth year running
· Received “Great Place to Work” certification after pilot applications in four countries (achieving “Top Company” status in two of these)
· Expanded its global diversity advisory panel and established a similar panel within each of its four regions, increasing the number of colleagues involved to 65 from 15 in 2019
· Launched first-of-its-kind low energy processing line for juice, nectar, and still drinks
· Exceeded its 2020 climate goal, demonstrating that decoupling economic growth from climate impact across the full value chain is possible. This means Tetra Pak has been able to lower its overall greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 19% versus 2010, including an outstanding –70% GHG reduction in its own operations from 2010 to 2020 (scope 1 and 2)
· Announced a net-zero emissions ambition across the value chain by 2050, supported by an intermediate 2030 target of net zero emissions across its own operations.
· Led and implemented a wide range of activities across the recycling value chain in local markets around the world, recycling 49 billion carton packages worldwide
Looking ahead, Tetra Pak has set additional ambitious commitments, such as reaching 46% GHG reduction across its value chain by 20301, in line with a 1.5C pathway, launching a fully renewable aseptic package by 2023, and achieving a 70% recycling rate in Europe by 2025.
Adolfo Orive concluded: “We are living in a decade of action and are fully committed to playing our part, both in enhancing food access and reducing environmental impact. The magnitude of the challenge, however, is such that every stakeholder and every step will count if we are to meet our sustainability ambitions. But as long as we keep innovating and collaborating, we can strive for a sustainable future that protects what’s good.”
