General Mills aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 2030

US food company General Mills has announced plans to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 30% across its full value chain from farm to fork to landfill by 2030.

The company noted that the GHG emission levels are calculated using methodologies that have been approved by the Science Based Target Initiative (SBTi).

General Mills chairman and CEO Jeff Harmening said: “We’re proud to be making this ambitious goal which will take strong leadership and collaboration to drive holistic change.

“From farmers and suppliers, to where we make our food, to packaging producers and shippers, to retailers, and finally how we get it to our consumers’ tables, each step in our value chain has a critical role to play – that’s how we’ll tackle this to ensure we are doing more and taking bolder actions.”

The company also aims to achieve net-zero emission levels by 2050 in alignment with the new SBTi 1.5oC guidance.

General Mills further added that it was the first company to publish a goal approved by the SBTi in 2015.

In addition to reducing GHG emissions, General Mills will focus on other aspects such as advancing regenerative agriculture practices on one million acres of farmland over the next ten years, as well as activating programmes across the ingredient categories with the largest GHG footprint.

It will also focus on reducing food loss and waste by 50% by 2030.

The company has also signed on to the Business Ambition for 1.5°C, a global initiative that focuses on bringing companies together and aligning their business in accordance to the Paris Agreement 1.5°C objective, as well as its target for net-zero emissions by 2050.

The Business Ambition for 1.5°C initiative is led by the SBTi in partnership with the UN Global Compact and the We Mean Business coalition.

General Mills chief sustainability and social impact officer Mary Jane Melendez said: “Realigning our commitment to a more aggressive target is consistent with how we have approached our business for over 150 years and lived one of our core values – to do the right thing all the time.

“While our greatest impact is outside our four walls – in agriculture, ingredients and packaging – we know we have a role to play in helping to restore planetary health.”

Last February, General Mills increased its investment in US organic cottage cheese maker Good Culture via its 301 Inc venturing unit.