3 days ago
Kepak receives formal approval for climate targets
Irish food company Kepak Group has received formal approval from the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) for its climate goals.
These targets include a 52.3% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2030, equivalent to eliminating the annual emissions of over 15,000 homes.
Scope 1 emissions are direct emissions from sources a company owns or controls, such as fuel combustion in company vehicles or manufacturing processes.
Scope 2 emissions are indirect emissions from energy purchased and used, including electricity, heat, or steam.
Kepak
Kepak is aiming to reach net-zero emissions across its entire value chain by 2050.
This SBTi approval confirms Kepak's alignment with the 'most ambitious' 1.5°C pathway outlined by the Paris Agreement.
Kepak now joins global food companies, including McDonald's and Tesco, that have received approval for science-based climate targets.
'This is a significant milestone for Kepak as we continue to accelerate our sustainability journey,' Rebecca Thomson, head of sustainability at Kepak Group, said.
'Our targets are not just numbers – they reflect real, measurable action. We are grateful to our partners at Rowan Engineering, the Carbon Trust, and others who have supported us in reaching this point. This is only the beginning,' she added.
Tiphaine Aires, associate director with the Carbon Trust, said that 'as a primary processor, Kepak plays a critical role in both supporting and advocating for farm decarbonisation initiatives'.
Climate
According to Kepak, the company has already delivered 'substantial progress' in reducing emissions driven by a strategy built on three core pillars: site efficiency, heat recovery and electrification, and on-site renewable energy generation.
From 2018-2024, the group has achieved a 40% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, along with an 8% reduction in Scope 3 livestock GHG intensity.
Over the period, there has been a 29% reduction in water use per tonne of product and 54% renewable electricity across operations (target: 100% by 2030).
The group added that there has been a 22% increase in regenerative agriculture practices on beef farms in Ireland and the UK.
Kepak's emission reduction strategy includes new technology being deployed at the group's Athleague site targeting a reduction of at least 90% in site heating emissions.
Wind turbines at Kepak Cork and Merthyr supply 40% and 14% of their electricity needs, respectively.
With approximately 12–15% of additional Scope 1 and 2 reductions required by 2030, Kepak is pursuing further deployment of wind, solar, and anaerobic digestion (AD) infrastructure.
There will also be an expansion of heat pump installations across sites, deep retrofitting for energy and process efficiency and continued investment in farm-level carbon reduction programmes.
Established in 1966, Kepak now has a turnover of €1.8 billion and employs over 4,500 people.
The group operates 14 manufacturing facilities throughout Ireland and the UK with sales offices in Europe, the US and Asia.
