Pilgrim’s Pride admits facing potential roadblocks to 2040 net-zero climate goal

BRAZIL – Pilgrim’s Pride, one of the world’s largest poultry producers, reports it may be unable to reach its 2040 net-zero climate target due to ongoing challenges in curbing greenhouse gas emissions at the farm level. 

The company shared the update in its 2023 sustainability report, where it outlined limited progress on several climate-related commitments.

While Pilgrim’s stated that it remains “on track” for certain targets related to renewable energy and emission reductions at its direct facilities, the report lists its 2040 net-zero goal as an “opportunity.” 

The company noted that meeting this target hinges on advances in technology, regulatory changes, and other factors it describes as beyond its control. 

“Due to these and other variables, the company may not be able to achieve net zero by 2040,” it stated in the report.

The company’s parent, JBS SA, is also facing scrutiny over its climate impact as it seeks to go public on the New York Stock Exchange. 

The state of New York filed a lawsuit against the Brazil-based company earlier this year, accusing JBS of making “misleading” statements about its climate initiatives. This case is currently ongoing.

Pilgrim’s revealed that its scope 3 emissions, which cover greenhouse gases produced by farms and suppliers, rose 10% from 2021 to 2023. 

Emissions related to purchased goods and services have steadily increased since 2021, with a 2.5% rise from 2022 to 2023.

As the company works on refining its environmental calculations, it acknowledged that emissions from land-use changes and deforestation are not currently included, although efforts are underway to improve these assessments.

Additionally, the company’s goal to reduce water use intensity by 15% by 2030 remains behind schedule, with water use up by 6% since 2019—an improvement from 2022 levels but still short of its long-term target.

Despite these challenges, Pilgrim’s Pride is making headway in other areas. The company has already achieved two-thirds of its aim to lower Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 30% by 2030. 

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