Tate & Lyle, one of the world’s oldest food and drinks manufacturers, is making waves with its ambitious sustainability targets, set to achieve its net zero goals five years early. The London-based firm is gearing up to source 100% of its purchased electricity by the year 2025, showcasing a commitment to renewable energy and climate action.
This goal, originally set for 2030, is poised to push the boundaries of sustainability within the food industry. Nick Hampton, CEO of Tate & Lyle, expressed the urgency of the situation, stating, "Climate change is the biggest threat to the world's long-term future, and so it's vitally important for companies to accelerate the transition to renewable energy." This statement not only reflects the company's proactive approach but also its recognition of the pressing challenges posed by climate change.
So, how has Tate & Lyle been able to make such significant strides? The company attributes its success to a multi-faceted approach to energy sourcing. Their corporate strategy involves installing renewable electricity infrastructure at its facilities, entering long-term renewable electricity agreements with providers, and procuring renewable energy credits (RECs) to cover any additional electricity needs.
By implementing these changes, Tate & Lyle expects to reduce its global Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by more than 25% compared to 2019 levels. These reductions signal the impact companies can experience when they invest heavily in renewable energy. It also highlights the importance of addressing emissions beyond just electricity consumption—a complex but necessary challenge on the road to achieving net zero.
Joining the global corporate renewable energy initiative, RE100, is another of Tate & Lyle's pivotal steps. RE100 is led by the Climate Group, working alongside the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP), and demonstrates the company’s commitment to transparency and accountability concerning its sustainability goals. Anna Pierce, Director of Sustainability at Tate & Lyle, stated, "Becoming a member of RE100 is an important part of our sustainability strategy and reflects our dedication to investing in renewable electricity. We are proud to join many companies worldwide striving to mitigate climate change."
Notably, Tate & Lyle's broader objectives include ambitious targets confirmed by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). These targets—which aim for significant reductions by 2028—align with the global goal of limiting temperature increases to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels as set out by the Paris Agreement. Specifically, the company is working toward reducing its Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 38% alongside similar reductions in its Scope 3 emissions.
The food ingredient sector, where Tate & Lyle plays a pivotal role, is under increasing scrutiny for its environmental impact. By proactively committing to renewable energy and sustainability, Tate & Lyle is poised to not only decrease its carbon footprint but potentially influence other players within the industry.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the planet, Indonesia's ambitions to align economic growth with environmental responsibility are being challenged. Environmentalists are raising concerns about the country's heavy reliance on industries detrimental to the environment. During this year’s United Nations climate talks, Indonesia’s envoy Hashim Djojohadikusumo presented plans for achieving net zero emissions by 2060 or sooner. His goals include restoring degraded forests and enhancing renewable energy use, which are commendable strides toward sustainability.
Yet, skeptics point out the Indonesian government's approach appears to prioritize economic growth over environmental protection. Critics note the lack of urgency associated with addressing pressing issues, especially concerning the country's heavy reliance on coal and other carbon-intensive industries. There’s been mounting dissatisfaction with the government's recent focus on high annual economic growth targets tied to industrial projects, which includes nickel mining and food plantations.
"Indonesia’s approach reflects weak leadership and insufficient ambition to combat the climate emergency," stated Torry Kuswardono, executive director of the Foundation for Strengthening Community Learning Circles. The concerns surrounding Indonesia's environmental commitments are compounded by the government's delay in releasing updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), key components of the Paris Agreement.
This postponement raises eyebrows, indicating the possibility of Indonesia placing priorities on economic development rather than genuine action against climate change. Advocates say the new administration’s strategy needs to pivot significantly if it intends to align with global climate commitments.
Looking beyond Asia, the state of California has recently unveiled another forward-thinking initiative concerning food waste and renewable energy. Divert Inc., based out of Massachusetts, has launched its facility processing unsold food products, converting these itemsInto carbon-negative renewable energy. Located in Turlock, this facility is noteworthy for its first-of-its-kind interconnection to Pacific Gas and Electric’s (PG&E) natural gas transmission line.
The facility will have the capacity to process about 100,000 tons of unsold food annually, contributing nearly 225,000 million British thermal units (MMBtu) of renewable natural gas (RNG). This initiative aims to mitigate approximately 23,000 metric tons of CO2 emissions per year. Comparatively, this reduction is equivalent to removing around 5,000 gas-powered vehicles from the roads.
Ryan Begin, CEO and cofounder of Divert, remarked on the achievement, stating, "This is a remarkable clean energy milestone reflecting the hard work and dedication of everyone involved. Together with PG&E, we are providing carbon-negative renewable energy to Californians, bringing the state closer to its climate goals."
Divert’s commitment to eliminating food waste aligns strongly with the urgency to address the environmental crises presented by both food waste and greenhouse gas emissions. California alone discards roughly six million tons of food each year, which significantly contributes to the growing issue of methane emissions from landfills.
By leveraging anaerobic digestion, Divert is transforming unsold food products—items typically ending up as waste—into renewable energy, taking significant steps toward achieving California's net-zero carbon pollution targets. Austin Hastings, vice president of PG&E Gas Engineering, echoed the facility's impact, emphasizing the importance of diversifying renewable natural gas resources, all contributing to the sustainability of California's energy system.
Looking toward the future, Divert has multiple renewable energy projects underway, expected to roll out across the United States, each contributing to sustainable food waste management and production of clean energy. All of these efforts demonstrate the significant role of innovative approaches to energy sourcing and waste management in tackling climate challenges.
All things considered, whether we’re observing Tate & Lyle’s bold targets or Indonesia’s ambitious plans amid skepticism, or witnessing Divert’s innovative solutions to food waste—it’s evident the renewable energy initiatives and the concerted moves toward net-zero goals represent pivotal moments across various sectors globally. Each initiative reflects the pressing need for companies and governments alike to embrace responsibility for their environmental impacts collectively.
