Hershey strives to strengthen its science-based environmental performance goals
After revealing key environmental targets in its latest ESG report, Hershey has moved forward to increase its science-based greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to 2030, reaching a total of 43% of its goals, which it seeks to accelerate, writes Neill Barston.
As previously reported, the company’s latest 2023 report on its achievements noted some significant performance gains, while acknowledging areas that still need improvement, including reducing energy use across its global operations.
Notably, as with many other companies operating in the confectionery sector, it has engaged in the science-based targets initiative as a means of further improving its performance, as part of the scheme’s wider attempt to achieve net zero emissions. by 2050 at the latest, by leveraging best practices in the industry.
Significantly, supply chains in the confectionery sector have historically been sources of notable emissions, through energy use in manufacturing facilities around the world, as well as the impact caused by widespread deforestation on cocoa production, which many companies, including Hershey and dozens of other major manufacturers have joined the CFI West African Forests Initiative, launched in 2017.
Additionally, the company stated that preventing deforestation continues to be a core area of focus for the business in reducing Scope 3 emissions. In 2023, Hershey accelerated its five-year commitment to achieve a deforestation-free supply chain and conversion to cocoa, palm oil, pulp and paper and soy by December 31, 2025.
Among its achievements in this area are restoring forest habitat with the Arbor Day Foundation, planting one million trees, and restoring more than 2,300 acres of forest as part of this partnership since 2017. It has also partnered with the Foundation for Parks and Ivory Coast Reserves in conserving the Mabi-Yaya Nature Reserve to restore forests on 687 hectares of degraded land.
Rachel Grunberg, senior manager of environmental sustainability at The Hershey Company, commented on the company’s progress. She said: “At Hershey, our business depends on ingredients grown around the world and the health of these ecosystems.
“We have a responsibility to reduce our carbon footprint to build resilience for our business and the planet and we are doing so with challenging objectives aligned with the best science to inform our strategy.”
As the company noted, its goal of reducing scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions by 50% by 2030 from a 2018 baseline has been revalidated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi).
To date, the company has achieved a 43% reduction in relation to this target and is looking to increase the delivery rate. The company also set short-term targets for forestry and agriculture (FLAG) and non-FLAG lands. It is committed to reducing Scope 3, Forest, Land and Agriculture (FLAG) emissions by 36% and non-FLAG emissions by 30% by 2030. These newly validated targets are in line with climate science and are consistent with levels necessary to meet the requirements of the Paris Agreement. targets to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius.
Additionally, to improve energy consumption and efficiency, Hershey created a cross-functional team to oversee achievement of plant-level energy reduction goals. As of 2023, Hershey has purchased approximately 80% of its electricity from renewable and zero-emission sources, an increase made through a combination of solar power purchase agreements, renewable energy credits and zero-emission credits, and investments in, including:
Additionally, it has provided hydroelectric power directly to facilities in Brazil and Canada, as well as 100% renewable or zero-emission electricity to confectionery manufacturing facilities in the US and Canada and several of our savory brands.
Additionally, the company has leveraged partnerships to promote good agricultural practices and technology to mitigate climate change risks in the cocoa, dairy and sugar supply chains. This includes investing in farmers to improve livelihoods and manage climate variability through implementing improved soil health and agroforestry with the Hershey Income Accelerator Program. The company has also promoted regenerative agricultural initiatives, such as North Dakota’s Trusted Advisor Partnership, to promote the use of cover crops and reduced tillage.
