This confirms that the greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets submitted by the Group comply with the SBTi’s scientific criteria and are aligned with the Paris Agreement ambition of limiting global warming to 1.5°C. For the Uelzena Group, the validation represents an important milestone and provides a framework for the continued reduction of its greenhouse gas emissions.
Science-Based Climate Targets through 2035
The validated Near-Term Targets are based on the 2023 base year. By 2035, the Uelzena Group aims to reduce its absolute Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 63.0 percent and its absolute Scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions by 37.5 percent. The reduction target for Scope 3 FLAG emissions is 45.5 percent. FLAG (Forest, Land and Agriculture) covers emissions associated with land use, land-use change, and agricultural and forestry activities.
Responsibility Across the Value Chain
The climate targets are based on the first Corporate Carbon Footprint (CCF) prepared across the entire Uelzena Group for the 2023 base year. The assessment identified total greenhouse gas emissions of 1,799,710 tonnes CO₂e, comprising 47,463 tonnes CO₂e from Scope 1, 4,570 tonnes CO₂e from Scope 2 and 1,747,677 tonnes CO₂e from Scope 3.
As is typical for many companies operating in the food industry, the majority of greenhouse gas emissions do not arise from the Group’s own production sites but occur throughout the value chain. Approximately 97 percent of the Uelzena Group’s reported emissions are attributable to Scope 3 activities, including agricultural raw materials, their production and transport. Consequently, the achievement of the Group’s climate targets will depend to a significant extent on close collaboration with farming operations, suppliers and other partners across the value chain.
From Target Setting to Implementation
The validated climate targets provide the Uelzena Group with a science-based framework for its ongoing decarbonisation efforts. Alongside measures aimed at reducing emissions at its own sites, collaborative action throughout the value chain will play a key role in achieving the targets.
“The validation of our climate targets by the SBTi is an important milestone. It confirms the scientific basis of our climate ambitions and provides us with a framework for systematically advancing climate action in the production of high-quality food products,” says Jörn Dwehus, Chief Executive Officer of Uelzena eG.
The Uelzena Group will continue to report regularly on progress, measures and developments relating to the achievement of its climate targets as part of its sustainability reporting.
Further information on the Uelzena Group’s sustainability activities is available at Uelzena Sustainability.
About the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi)
The Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) is an international organisation that supports companies in setting science-based climate targets. The SBTi assesses and validates greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets against the latest climate science and the objectives of the Paris Agreement.
