The U.N.’s Race To Zero is a global campaign that encourages world leaders, businesses and other key stakeholders to contribute to achieving a zero carbon society. One of the companies that have pledged to the cause is European frozen food producer Nomad Foods, which has set new emission reduction targets in accordance to the Science Based Targets Initiative.

Nomad Foods is planning to reduce scope 1, 2 and 3 greenhouse gas emissions per ton of product by 45% in 2025, and 25% in absolute terms. Additionally, the company is set to provide support to its own network of suppliers, with 75% of them to also have science-based targets by 2025.

These numbers are necessary to maintain the targets needed to accomplish a global warming campaign from the Paris Climate Agreement. The goal is to keep global warming at a maximum of 1.5°C, considered an ambitious target.

This commitment by Nomad Foods is in line with their “Eating for the Planet” sustainability strategy. In 2020, they were able to reduce their carbon footprint by more than 20% per ton of products, an absolute emissions by 11%. This was achieved despite them producing more volumes during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Additionally, their edible food waste was lower by 31% compared to 2015, with 1.7 million meals donated to food banks.

Stéfan Descheemaeker, Nomad Foods’ Chief Executive Officer, said, “Every day, millions of households enjoy products from Birds Eye, Findus, iglo and our other leading brands and we want to ensure that when consumers choose our products it’s a positive choice for them and for the planet. As attention focuses on the COP 26 Climate Change Conference in November, we must all step up to the challenge of delivering a net-zero economy. We are excited that the SBTi has validated our emission reduction targets and as we commit to the Business Ambition for 1.5°C campaign and the UN’s Race to Zero we recognise that we cannot succeed on our own.”

“By focusing first on our 2025 milestones, we will almost halve emissions per ton of product and ensure the top 75% of our suppliers by emissions have science-based reduction targets in place. This will ensure we reach net-zero well before 2050, as we deliver on our promise of long-term sustainable growth for shareholders.”

“We congratulate Nomad Foods on setting science-based targets consistent with limiting warming to 1.5°C, the most ambitious goal of the Paris Agreement,” said Alberto Carrillo Pineda, Managing Director, Science Based Targets at CDP, one of the Science Based Targets initiative partners. “By setting ambitious science-based targets grounded in climate science, Nomad Foods is taking action to prevent the most damaging effects of climate change.”

Nomad Foods has incorporated their sustainability strategies across all aspects of their company, from corporate, to manufacturing and distribution.