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HKScan has updated the climate emissions calculation, climate target and timeline of its responsibility programme to better align with international climate work guidelines, calculation guidelines and reporting standards. HKScan’s revised climate target is to achieve net zero for all greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
In recent years, legislation, international guidelines and requirements for the entire value chain have increased significantly. HKScan has therefore deepened its climate work measures, revised its emission calculation and updated the Group's climate targets in line with an international scientifically verifiable and comparable definition.
Aiming for significant cuts in greenhouse gas emissions
HKScan's primary way to reach net zero by 2050 is to significantly reduce overall greenhouse gas emissions. To achieve this goal, greenhouse gas cuts must be complemented by durable carbon removals, either through nature or technological solutions. The aim is to eliminate the remaining emissions and thus achieve a zero level of emissions impacts.
Emissions from land use and its change as well as the whole food chain taken into account
The revised climate calculation shows that about 1 per cent of HKScan's total emissions are generated by its own operations and 99 per cent by other parts of the food chain. It is therefore essential to take into account emissions from land use and its change as well as the entire food chain.
HKScan has carried out long-term and determined climate work throughout the food chain. The company’s previous climate target was a carbon-neutral food chain from farms to consumers by 2040.
“Our target has now been extended to take into account the impact of land use and its changes, and our work will continue with even greater determination. With our revised emissions calculation and climate target, we contribute to the goals of the Paris Climate Agreement and also meet the new requirements for the land use sector," says Hanna Lehtonen, VP Corporate Responsibility at HKScan Corporation. “HKScan’s climate work is guided by a comprehensive set of measures. It consists of dozens of measurable climate emission reduction measures defined by our Business Units. We are moving towards net zero climate emissions together with our contract farmers and other partners.”
Near-term and land based climate targets approved by SBTi
HKScan is among the first Nordic food companies to have specified the near-term targets both for industrial energy usage and for the land sector (Forest, Land and Agriculture =FLAG).
According to the near-tern climate targets that have been approved by SBTi, HKScan commits to reduce its absolute Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions for energy and industrial by 42 per cent by 2030 from a 2022 base year. HKScan also commits to reduce its absolute Scope 3 emissions from specific categories by 42 per cent within the same timeframe. The target also includes land-related emissions from bioenergy feedstocks.
In addition, HKScan commits to reduce land based absolute Scope 3 FLAG GHG emissions by 30.3 per cent from a base year 2022. HKScan also commits to no deforestation across its primary deforestation-linked commodities.
“The SBTi approval of our targets is significant. The SBTi allows us to verify the relevance and results of our own climate work on an international scale and to better target and lead our own work. Climate work is a long-term process and monitoring results is difficult. International benchmarking is really important and motivates us to keep going when progress is visible and results are tangible. International recognition is especially rewarding in our challenging industry because the criteria are very strict," Hanna Lehtonen says.
The Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) is an international organisation that helps companies establish their emission reductions in line with the targets of climate science and the Paris Agreement. The aim is to limit the global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius. SBTi extended its industry-specific climate target package for the land use sector, i.e. agriculture, forestry and other land use. The extension became effective in May 2023. The new FLAG guidance considers land use and permanent land conversion for agricultural use by, e.g. clearing the forest floor, during the past 20 years.
January 25, 2024 - HKScan
