Hershey Updates Science-Based Targets as It Advances Efforts to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions
"At Hershey, our business depends on ingredients grown around the world and the health of those ecosystems," said
Hershey's target to reduce scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions by 50% by 2030 from a 2018 baseline was re-validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). To date, Hershey has achieved a 43% reduction against this target. The company has also set near-term
Hershey implements a variety of programs and initiatives across its operations and its supply chain to reduce its carbon footprint.
Reducing Energy Consumption and Leveraging Renewable Energy
To improve energy consumption and efficiency, Hershey has created a cross-functional team to oversee delivery of plant-level energy reduction targets. In 2023, Hershey sourced approximately 80% of 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:
- Directly sourcing hydropower for facilities in
Brazil andCanada - Operational PPAs that delivered approximately 25% of
U.S. electricity needs - 100% renewable or zero-emission electricity for manufacturing facilities for confectionery in the
U.S. andCanada and several of our salty brands
Scaling Good Agricultural Practices
The company leveraged partnerships to promote good agricultural practices and technology to mitigate risks from climate change in cocoa, dairy and sugar supply chains. A selection of projects include:
- Investing in farmers to improve livelihoods and manage climate variability through implementation of soil health improvement and agroforestry with the Hershey Income Accelerator Program
- Piloting projects like the Sustainable Dairy PA program which implements riparian forest buffers, nutrient management, conservation tillage, and manure management practices
- Promoting regenerative agricultural initiatives such as the
North Dakota Trusted Advisor Partnership to promote the use of cover crops and reduced tillage
Preventing Deforestation and Advancing Biodiversity
Preventing deforestation and conversion caused by changing land use is another important driver in reducing Scope 3 emissions. In 2023, Hershey accelerated its commitment by five years to achieve a deforestation and conversion-free supply chain for cocoa, palm oil, pulp and paper, and soy to
- 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 - Partnered with the
Foundation for Parks and Reserves of Cote d'Ivoire on conservation of the Mabi-Yaya Nature Reserve to restore forest on 687 hectares of degraded land
To learn more about Hershey's sustainability strategy and progress, view the company's ESG Report.
About
For 130 years, Hershey has been committed to operating fairly, ethically and sustainably. The candy and snack maker's founder,
To learn more visit www.thehersheycompany.com.
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SOURCE
Amanda Byrd, abyrd1@hersheys.com