Charting a path
to more sustainable
food production via
5 big goals
Charting a path to more sustainable food production via 5 big goals
a brighter future for people and planet.
One industry has the power to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions by more than a third of what they are today. That industry? Food production. In fact, according to several studies, ambitious action at every level of the food system could be key to radically reducing global warming and crucial to hitting climate targets set in the Paris Accords.
But a sustainable food production industry isn’t just good for the planet. It’s good for food production itself. After all, agriculture depends on the climate to cultivate enough food for a growing global population. Fortunately, one company that wholly believes in this virtuous circle—or, rather, reaping the benefits of the sustainability you sow—also happens to be one of the world’s largest global food producers, JBS.
The first global meat and poultry company to set an ambitious net zero by 2040 target, JBS is leading the change in an industry that wields real influence over the fates of both people and planet. As Tim Schellpeper, JBS USA CEO, said: “The investments we make today will have a lasting impact, we hope for generations.”
And JBS isn’t just talking the talk. The company is aggressively innovating and investing to meet its net zero target right now. Among its pledges are allocating more than $1 billion to reduce emissions in its facilities by 2030, and a promise to tie senior executives’ compensation to environmental performance.
$1 billion to reduce emissions in its facilities by 2030$1 billion to reduce emissions in its facilities by 2030$1 billion to reduce emissions in its facilities by 2030
JBS has set five industry-leading
goals to get to net zero by 2040.
Click each goal to learn more
But, ultimately, realizing radical change in a multinational industry doesn’t only entail setting overarching targets. It requires innovation and investment at national and local levels, with a focus on interim goals that will keep JBS on track. JBS USA, for example, has already accomplished several significant interim goals using local solutions, all of which will help JBS achieve its greater ambition.
A $19 million cogeneration system will reduce greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to 1,800 cars driven for a yearA $19 million cogeneration system will reduce greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to 1,800 cars driven for a yearA $19 million cogeneration system will reduce greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to 1,800 cars driven for a year
Among those innovations: In Dalhart, Tex., JBS USA renovated a wastewater treatment lagoon to convert methane gas into clean and sustainable transportation fuel, transforming waste costs into a recurring revenue stream and eliminating more than 10,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide.
Meanwhile, in Plainwell, Mich., a $19 million cogeneration system will reduce greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to 1,800 cars driven for a year. How? By burning renewable fuel to produce renewable electricity while engines’ waste heat is captured for reuse at the plant.
Projects such as these have contributed to the company quickly meeting or exceeding major interim goals. These include reducing greenhouse gas emission intensity by 20 percent, water-use intensity by 10 percent and electricity-use intensity by 12 percent. Each of these goals was first set in 2017, against a 2015 baseline, and swiftly achieved by 2020.
JBS USA has already hit several
interim goals
that are helping put
JBS on the path to net zero by 2040.
Reduce greenhouse gas emission
intensity by
20%20%20%
HOW?
By investing in energy-efficient technologies such as LED
lighting, electric heating systems and transportation and
more efficient, performance-optimized equipment.
Reduce water-use
intensity by
10%10%10%
HOW?
Every JBS USA production and processing facility has
a tailored wastewater treatment program that
helps reduce discharged water volume.
Reduce electricity-use
intensity by
12%12%12%
Biogas as a renewable energy source and solar power systems
are now in use at various JBS USA facilities.
