(Reuters) – PepsiCo Inc said on Thursday that it aimed to achieve zero-zero greenhouse gas emissions across its supply chain by 2040, as consumers and investors continue to grow calls on large corporations to play their part in the fight against global warming.
Manufacturer Doritos chips and juice Tropicana said it would initially cut greenhouse gas emissions from its operations by 75% and by 40% in areas outside its own manufacturing processes and the supply chain by 2030.
The food and beverage giant generated around 57 million metric tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions worldwide in 2019, according to its latest annual sustainability report. Over the next nine years, it hopes to cut these emissions by just under half, or a total of 26 million metric tons.
New York-based company Purchasing said it would initially focus on its agricultural supply system, which contributes a third of PepsiCo’s greenhouse gas emissions, before turning to capture carbon.
PepsiCo will accelerate the use of smart irrigation systems, improve soil health and reduce deforestation, its chief sustainability officer, Jim Andrew, said in an interview with Reuters.
Other measures include the use of renewable energy in its offices, recycled PET bottles for beverages, cutting back on business flights and creating a sustainable package, the company said.
PepsiCo and rival Coca-Cola, which has set its own target for cutting supply chain emissions by 25% by 2030, have emerged as new targets for global activity due to the amount of single- plastic waste. practice they generate.
Last year tied to 2016 as the warmest year in the world, culminating in the warmest decade globally, with scientists saying countries and corporations needed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions quickly to avoid climate change.
“We need to lead systematic change. That’s going to require partnerships with customers, suppliers, co-packers … and sometimes competitors to do it all, ”said Andrew.
Reporting by Siddharth Cavale in Bengaluru; Edited by Ramakrishnan M.