Smithfield Foods, Inc. has become the earliest cardinal protein firm to pledge to be carbon negative in all company-owned functions in the US within a decade. Adopting eco-friendliness since more than two decades, the company will go afar carbon neutrality to coherently remove more carbon from the atmosphere than it discharges.
Kenneth M. Sullivan, President and CEO of Smithfield Foods declared- “As the world struggles with environmental challenges affecting our planet, consumers are anticipating companies to take deliberate, bold action to address issues such as climate change.” He further added- “The world is at an inflection point. To feed a multiplying world population, with limited resources available to grow and produce the food we need, we must limit our environmental impact. At Smithfield, we are using our broad reach to lead efforts to remove our carbon footprint in our company-owned operations and eliminate greenhouse gases from the atmosphere.”
Smithfield is aiming to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 25% till the end of 2025 across its whole supply chain which was announced in 2016. In 2017, the firm launched Smithfield Renewables, a platform to integrate its carbon reduction and renewable energy endeavor. To become carbon negative in its U.S. company-owned facilities, Smithfield will extract the resources and expertise of a wide range of partners to speed up projects within its Smithfield Renewables program, while resuming to steer progress toward its “25 by 25” goal.
Stewart Leeth, VP and Chief Sustainability Officer, Smithfield Foods said-“Smithfield pioneered bold carbon emission goals in our industry, and we are continuing to innovate incessant solutions across our industry-leading sustainability program.” He also informed- “To achieve this ambitions, work is already underway and will include various strategies, including renewable natural gas ventures, improvements in our animals’ diets, renewable electricity purchases and transportation, regenerative agricultural practices, logistics and packaging projects.”
Forests and cultivations are vital to address climatic alterations. Smithfield will endorse and upgrade programs to confiscate more carbon in agricultural lands and natural ecosystems. For instance, Smithfield’s partnership in the Monarch Butterfly Habitat Exchange (The Exchange), a scheme aiming to rehabilitate 1.5 million acres of high-quality breeding and nectaring habitat along the butterflies’ migration route. This involves reinstalling native species preferred by monarchs on lands surrounding Smithfield hog farms in Missouri.
“Recent announcement by Smithfield Foods of their first-in-class carbon negative commitment displays leadership on climate action, delivering positive impact today and energetically addressing the climate crisis of near future. I am pleased with Smithfield’s devotion to sustainability in Virginia’s Fourth Congressional District,” said Rep. A. Donald McEachin (VA-04).
