Sustainability Goals Set by Danish Crown

Global climate scientists have identified meat production as a significant threat to the planet's health, climate, and future living conditions. This presents a critical issue for all meat producers, including Danish Crown and its owners, Danish farmers, who are now increasing their efforts to produce more sustainable meat. Jais Valeur, Group CEO of Danish Crown, believes that there will be a significant demand for sustainable meat in the future. The company aims to tap into this market and establish itself as the leading sustainable meat-based food products producer. Valeur notes that their Danish owners are already setting the pace in many areas, and this is something they plan to build upon. By 2030, Danish Crown aims to cut its greenhouse gas emissions per kilogram of pork produced from farm to fork by at least 50% compared to 2005 levels. By the end of 2019, 90% of the pigs supplied to Danish Crown's Danish slaughterhouses will come from sustainability-certified farmers. The company's goal is for all its meat to be climate-neutral by 2050, from farm to fork. Danish Crown has engaged researchers to track and document progress since 2005. The findings show that Danish farmers have reduced the climate impact of producing one kilogram of pork by 25% between 2005 and 2016, with agriculture contributing 18%. Valeur argues that pork has been unfairly targeted for its climate impact. He believes that the conversation around sustainability could have started as early as the mid-2000s. While they can't change the past, they can use the results to launch a concept that they and their customers can communicate and that will gain consumer support, as consumer choices will ultimately drive the transition. The Danish Crown group is currently initiating several cross-organizational projects focusing on everything from energy and water consumption to packaging and transport solutions. The goal is to set targets in all these areas and establish partnerships that will allow Danish Crown to find new solutions in collaboration with researchers and other industry companies. Valeur notes that at their MEAT2030 conference in Copenhagen in autumn 2018, participants were eager to partner with them in sustainable development. He sees this as a positive step towards becoming the world's leading sustainable meat manufacturer, a journey filled with challenges that need to be addressed. They are seeking potential partners to develop sustainable solutions, helping them achieve their climate and sustainability goals while also growing their business for the benefit of their owners. Danish Crown has not yet set its climate goals for beef and veal, but they will align closely with the goals set for Danish dairy production and Danish Crown's sustainability certification for pork. However, the long-term vision of climate neutrality encompasses all the group's activities.