Post Holdings set a goal to reduce by 30% its greenhouse emissions intensity from sourced ingredients and packaging by 2030, the CPG company said last week.
The commitment represents Post’s first target for its Scope 3 emissions, which broadly include a company’s upstream and downstream value chains. The company had existing goals of reducing its Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions by 30% each by 2030.
The purchased goods and services in the upstream supply chain represent CPG companies’ largest source of emissions, Nick Martin, senior director of ESG at Post, noted in a statement.
“Pursuing this target benefits the environment, while providing an opportunity to further strengthen partnerships with our largest suppliers,” Martin said.
To help further its Scope 3 goal, Post has joined the nonprofit CDP’s supply chain program, a disclosure system with over 280 members representing $6.4 trillion in purchasing power.
Post also recently joined the Supplier Leadership on Climate Transition program, a collaborative of large purchasing companies and brands that provides mentorship and training for suppliers in setting and achieving emission-reduction goals. Members include other CPG and food giants, such as PepsiCo, McCormick & Co., Coca-Cola, General Mills and Nestlé North America, among others.
Last year, Post disclosed a Scope 3 baseline estimate for its indirect emissions using a spend-based methodology, a first step toward setting reduction targets.
The lion’s share of the company’s Scope 3 emissions were in its purchased goods and services category, with 3.8 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent. Of those emissions, 74% are related to agriculture.
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