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Caring for our planet

We aim to achieve 'netZERO' by latest 2050 while driving circularity across our operations.

As a milk processor, our business is always dependent on the availability of natural resources such as clean water and fertile land. An intact environment is, therefore, one of the most important pillars of our sustainability model. Because if we don’t look after nature today, we won’t be able to enjoy life in the future as much as we do now.

We have, therefore, set ourselves clear and ambitious targets. We aim to drastically reduce our CO2e footprint at all stages of the value chain, reduce our water consumption and reduce waste. We are also working on packaging solutions that are more circular in nature to avoid waste and unnecessary costs.

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netZERO 2050 Vision

With our netZERO 2050 vision, we are extending our CO2e reduction targets to encompass the entire value chain, taking us even closer to our net-zero goals. We do this on the basis of scientifically validated CO2e reduction targets based on the Science Based Targets initiative.

 

What is the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi)?
The SBTi is a partnership between the United Nations Global Compact initiative and NGOs such as the World Resources Institute and the WWF. The SBTi’s validated scientific targets help companies like Emmi to align their CO2e footprint to a net-zero reduction path. This is an important instrument for limiting global warming to 1.5°C, the target set at the UN Climate Conference in Paris.

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Our goals for 2027

 
 

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We will cut our CO2 emissions by 60%

We are committed to reducing our direct CO2e emissions by 60% by 2027 (Scope 1 and 2). We continue to rely on energy analyses and reduction measures to achieve this. We will increasingly cover the remaining demand with alternative energy sources. We are now also extending our commitments to our entire value chain (Scope 3). Together with our milk producers, we want to reduce CO2e by 25% per kg of milk. Our long-term goal is to achieve CO2e-neutrality by 2050. The switch to reduction targets based on the Science Based Targets initiative will also play a key role.
 

We have already been able to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions by 28% in 2022 (base year 2014) – thanks to electricity from renewable sources for a large proportion of our factories and increased energy efficiency in our factories around the world. Added to this is the gradual connection to renewable heat sources and other innovative projects such as solar thermal energy and hydrogen trucks in Switzerland.

We have developed an important foundation for Scope 3 emissions. That’s why we’ve developed a large-scale resource project: KlimaStaR Milk. The joint project with industry partners Nestlé, aaremilch, Central Switzerland Milk Producers Cooperative (ZMP) and research institutes aims, among other things, to reduce GHG by 20% in 238 pilot sites. In addition, preliminary projects on biogas and methane-reducing feed additives are underway, as well as studies on the CO2e footprint of milk suppliers from our international subsidiaries.

> Target achievement as of 31.12.2022

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-    Solar thermal energy Langnau

-    Dagmersellen

-    Environmentally friendly district heating in Suhr

 

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We will make our packaging 100% recyclable and we will halve the amount of waste and food waste

We are committed to strengthening the circular economy. We want to reduce rubbish and food waste by half at our own sites. By 2027 at the latest, the remaining waste will not be allowed to be disposed of in landfill sites. The packaging of our products is also extremely important to us. We are aiming for 100% recyclability, using at least 30% recycled materials and avoiding single-use plastics.
 

We have reduced our waste by 22% (base year 2017) – this is mainly production and packaging waste. We have reduced food waste in Switzerland by 18% thanks, in part, to partnerships such as ‘Tischlein deck dich’, ‘Schweizer Tafel’ and ‘Too Good To Go’, but also by optimising processes throughout the value chain and returning whey to human food products. Furthermore, we have signed the Federal Government’s agreement to halve food waste by 2030. This initiative supports our goals, gives us additional impetus and improves our breadth of impact. With regard to packaging targets, the collection of the corresponding database is currently underway.

We have reached 11% of the sub-goal ‘no waste in landfill sites’ (base year 2017).

> Target achievement as of 31.12.2022

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We will reduce our consumption of fresh water

Clean water is becoming an increasingly scarce resource in some regions. For this reason, we are emphasising arid risk areas, where we are committed to reducing the fresh water consumption in our facilities by 50%. In other countries, we are aiming for a reduction of 15%. Furthermore, we will assume increased responsibility for the water consumption in our value chain – in particular when it comes to our raw materials.
 

The consumption of fresh water in risk areas has only been reduced by 1%

Consumption in other areas was reduced by 7%. On the one hand, this was due to substantial savings attained by our subsidiaries, including Emmi Roth (USA), Kaiku (Spain) and Bettinhoeve (The Netherlands). We were able to achieve this by repairing leaks, consistently measuring and optimising cleaning systems, and sharing knowledge within the Group. On the other hand, due to acquisitions, our product portfolio has shifted more towards cheese, where more water is used per tonne of product due to the processes. In addition, in 2022, fluctuations in the volume of milk to be processed prevented further reductions being made. For us, this means making an even greater effort to continue to measure, raise awareness, broaden the roll out of best practices and harness technological innovations.

With regard to water in the value chain, a detailed water study enabled us to gain insights into almond production in Spain and Portugal for beleaf. We were able to prove that the producers use water carefully and with maximum efficiency. We have also strengthened our cooperation throughout the value chain, built up knowledge and raised awareness of the topic internally.

> Target achievement as of 31.12.2022

 

Our projects

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Stories Pioneering project wins Sustainability Award

#Sustainability - 30 June 2023 | The winning project in this year’s Emmi Sustainability Competition leads to considerable CO2 savings in agriculture. Find out more about this pioneering project.

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Stories Milk production methods are becoming increasingly more sustainable

#Sustainability - 1 June 2023 | Milk is our most important raw material, which is exactly why we want to make sustainable milk the norm. Instead of looking at individual areas, such as animal welfare, in isolation, we take a holistic approach. Read on to find out what that means.

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Stories Above-average CDP climate rating

10 February 2022 - The CDP climate rating evaluates companies worldwide with regard to CO2 emissions and climate-related risks. In 2021, Emmi continued to improve in this respect, cementing its above-average position in the food industry with a ‘B’ rating. Both our CO2 targets, which are geared towards our netZERO 2050 reduction path, and our expanded use of renewable energies are bearing fruit, confirming our continuous, pioneering approach to carbon-neutral production, which can be seen, for example, at our subsidiary Mexideli.

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Stories A very special “eco-cheese” network

29 October 2021 - In Kaltbach, new photovoltaic systems are supplying electricity for its cave-aged range of speciality cheeses. This means that the milk produced by farmer ambassador Marcel Arnold, which is brought to the Schlierbach cheese dairy and then refined as Emmentaler AOP in Kaltbach, passes through three places where photovoltaic systems are used on the journey to its final destination. The cave-aged Kaltbach masterpieces are therefore also sun-ripened, in a way.

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Stories “A challenge that’s addictive”

30 July 2021 - There is a lot going on in terms of sustainability at Emmi's Langnau site: heat is recovered, waste is recycled and water is saved. Employees who are enthusiastic about sustainability and really step on the gas are important.

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Stories Vegan products with Swiss oats

16 April 2021 - This has never been seen in Switzerland before: a chilled vegan coffee drink made with Swiss oat milk. There are also other products under the “beleaf” brand, which are made from Swiss ingredients.

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Stories Leftovers from the holiday feast? The refrigerator guide

6 January 2021 - Every year, around 300 kilograms of food per Swiss resident are thrown away. It doesn’t have to be like this. With the right refrigerator system, food and leftovers from even lavish holiday menus will keep for longer.

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Stories Gerber Fondue is often good after

29 September 2020 - We throw away too much food that's actually still good to eat. Gerber Fondue has been popular for decades because it tastes great and has a long shelf life.

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Stories Dairy products are often good for longer...

12 May 2020 - ... than it says on the best-before date. This date is only an indicator of quality. It is by no means a use-by date, after which an item of food should no longer be consumed.

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Stories Emmi Sustainability Award 2019

30. April 2020 - Sustainable yogurt pot wins

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Stories The fight against plastic

23 March 2020 - Single-use packaging - especially plastic - is becoming increasingly frowned upon.

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Stories Hydrogen: Zero emissions and practical

27 November 2020 - Electric cars are on the rise in passenger transport. In goods transport, fuel cells seem to offer the greatest potential. Hydrogen-powered lorries can be refuelled normally, have a good range and offer sufficient transport capacity. Emmi now has two H2 lorries from Hyundai that run on “green” hydrogen on the road.

Best dairy moments - today and for generations to come

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