Climate and resource efficiency

Throughout the value chain

Our efforts with climate-smart and resource-efficient chicken production include the entire value chain. We have ambitious requirements on our production that encompass Scandi Standard’s in-house processing operations, as well as our supplier stage.

The climate is one of the most critical matters of our time, and we need to help to reduce emissions, and to identify and manage the risks resulting from climate change. At the same time, we regard the increased efforts to reduce society’s climate impact as an opportunity where chicken can be part of the solution. During the year, Scandi Standard prepared new science-based targets to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions throughout the value chain, which are awaiting validation by the Science Based Targets initiative.

Climate data is measured and monitored in relation to the size of the operation (grams of CO2e per kg product) and in absolute terms. In terms of the entire lifecycle, the cultivation and production of feed along with the rearing of chickens account for the vast majority of our carbon footprint. Scandi Standard implemented a Group-wide project in 2021 and 2022 to calculate the carbon footprint at the product level. Calculations were made for more than 280 products and certified by a third party, the Carbon Trust. In 2023, the certification will be used for the climate labelling of products in all of Scandi Standard’s domestic markets.

Climate goals throughout the value chain in line with the Paris Agreement

  • In line with the Paris Agreement and the 1.5-degree target, our vision is to conduct operations with the least possible climate impact
  • Scandi Standard became a signatory to the Science Based Targets initiative in 2021 and has, during 2022, developed science-based climate targets for the entire value chain. These were submitted to the Science Based Targets initiative for validation
  • By 2030, we must reduce emissions from our own operations (Scope 1 and 2) by 50 per cent, and upstream and downstream emissions in the value chain (Scope 3) by 50 per cent

Feed production

Around 20 per cent of our chicken feed consists of imported soy, mainly from South America. Since 2019, Scandi Standard has been managing a development project together with feed specialists to create new alternative feeds that are better for the environment and animal welfare. The aim is to replace a significant per centage of the soy with locally grown protein sources. During the year, production-scale tests were conducted in Finland and Sweden, with positive results.

Rearing

Heating and other operations at farms, such as manure handling, account for the majority of the environmental impact of growers. This is true for parent bird breeding and rearing, as well as the hatching and rearing of birds for slaughter. Scandi Standard encourages growers to use fossil-free energy sources in their operations and to reuse chicken manure instead of chemical fertiliser, which is energy intensive, and thereby improve the soil and reduce climate impact.

Slaughtering

We use electricity, energy and water at our plants during the slaughtering and processing stages. As far as possible, Scandi Standard is shifting towards green electricity as well as renewable energy sources. Green electricity certificates are purchased to cover all electricity consumption at the production facilities. We are also working continuously with energy optimisation and to reduce our water consumption and emissions to water.

Processing and packaging

Plastic packaging is necessary for safe handling of the products and for extending shelf life in order to minimise food waste. The use of plastics also has an adverse impact on the climate and biodiversity, so we strive to minimise the use of plastics where possible. When the use of plastic is required, we try to use recycled plastic or ensure that the plastic is recyclable.

Distribution

Scandi Standard uses transport between the farms and the slaughterhouse, as well as for distribution to the customer. The priority is to keep transport distances as short as possible, which both decrease emissions and increase animal welfare.

Consumption

Food waste by retailers and end consumers has a considerable impact on the climate, and Scandi Standard is working to decrease this through awareness, appropriate package sizes and increased product durability.

“Plastic packaging is necessary for safe handling of the products and for extending shelf life in order to minimise food waste.”