General Mills has undertaken to slash greenhouse gas emissions by 26% over the next 10 years.
The commitment will ensure the $18.8bn (£12.2bn) turnover food group, which owns brands such as Häagen-Dazs, Yoplait and Green Giant, is well on the way to achieving the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s scientific consensus of a 50%-70% reduction in “absolute” emissions by 2050.
The 26% reduction will be made across its entire value chain - from farm to fork to landfill.
“We recognise that we must do our part to protect and conserve natural resources. Our business depends on it and so does the planet,” said chairman and chief executive Ken Powell.
General Mills’ focus on reducing greenhouse gas emissions began within its direct operations in 2005 and it has reduced absolute emissions by 13% since then.
It achieved this by using energy more efficiently across its facilities and by converting to less greenhouse gas-intensive forms of energy.
Powell said the group knew its greatest impact was outside its own four walls - particularly in agriculture, ingredients and packaging.
“To reduce emission levels, we must work across our value chain with growers, suppliers, customers and industry partners. Together, we will identify new solutions and promote sustainable agriculture practices that drive emission reductions,” he said.
“We believe every company, government and individual has a role to play. Climate change is a shared, global challenge that is best addressed at scale.”
Nearly two-thirds of the company’s total greenhouse gas emissions occur upstream of its direct operations.
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