The ambitious net-zero goals of leading potato supplier Branston have been recognised by a pioneering organisation that supports businesses around the world to tackle the climate crisis.
The Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi) is a corporate climate action strategy that enables companies and financial institutions to develop standards, tools, and guidance in leading the way to a net-zero economy.
This week, it has approved Branston’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction targets, which encompass the company’s near-term (5-10 years), net-zero, and forest, land, and agriculture (FLAG) targets. This showcases Branston’s alignment with SBTi’s rigorous net-zero standard criteria and near-term target recommendations.
CEO Highlights Climate Action Milestone
Jim Windle, CEO of Branston, said: “As a leading produce and added value food business in the UK, it is important to us that our ambitious climate targets have been validated by the SBTi. This ensures that our approach is robust, credible, transparent, and aligned with acknowledged climate science. These targets represent a key step to developing a thorough climate strategy across all business sectors.”
Bold Net-Zero Targets for 2050 and Beyond
Branston has committed to achieving overall net-zero emissions across its value chain by 2050, with interim targets including a 60% reduction in Scope 1 & 2 emissions and 58.8% in Scope 3 by 2033. Additionally, the company has set an accelerated target of 90% reductions by 2035 for Scope 1 & 2 emissions and 90% by 2050 for Scope 3 emissions, all benchmarked against 2021 levels.
Renewable Energy and Enhanced Efficiency at the Core
Branston’s progress toward net-zero includes initiatives to boost energy efficiency and transition to renewable energy. The company operates nine photovoltaic (PV) systems across its three sites, generating 1.3 GWh of energy annually. An anaerobic digestion plant at its Lincoln site also supplies 20% of the facility’s energy using waste potatoes unfit for human consumption.
Innovative Solutions Across the Potato Supply Chain
Jim Windle praised the Branston team for their creativity in tackling climate challenges:
“Our team has already stepped up to the climate challenge and shown fantastic ingenuity when it comes to making the entire potato supply chain more environmentally friendly – from the field to shop shelves. By closely monitoring our outputs and consistently researching new opportunities for us to integrate better practices, we’re making great progress.
“There is of course plenty more to be done, but with the backing of the SBTi and a clear pathway to get there, we look forward to working with our customers and suppliers in achieving these goals.”
Exploring Alternative Fuels and Smart Monitoring Systems
Most recently, Branston has explored opportunities for alternative fuels, including trialing an electric truck in its Scotland fleet and installing electric vehicle charging points for staff at all sites. The company also uses extensive smart energy monitoring systems to track electricity usage across major equipment, helping optimize energy efficiency.
Collaborating with Growers and Agri-Tech Innovators
In addressing Scope 3 emissions, Branston collaborates with growers, the agri-tech community, and universities to reduce carbon in potato production. Efforts include the adoption of low-carbon fertilizers, reduced cultivation methods, alternative farm fuels, and innovative cold store designs—now entering their third year of trials.
These projects are supported by partnerships with B-hive Innovations, a company dedicated to solving fresh produce industry challenges with a focus on carbon reduction across the supply chain.
For more information on Branston’s sustainability initiatives and its journey toward net-zero, visit www.branston.com.
Source: Branston
Contact for more information:
Hannah McManus or Kali Dennett on 0115 853 2110 or branston@cartwrightcommunications.co.uk
Image: Branston is trialling electric lorries in its fleet