International producer Hilton Foods has reported it has had new near- and long-term science-based greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets approved by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi).

As part of this, Hilton said that the SBTi has verified Hilton Foods’ net zero science-based target by 2048, bringing the businesses’ net zero target date forward by two years. The producer said direct emissions reductions “will be prioritised”.

The body has assessed and approved both near-term and long-term targets for Hilton Foods, and included specific targets on emissions from forests, land and agriculture. Hilton said that SBTi has approved its commitments to:

• Reduce absolute Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions by 95% by 2030, from a 2020 base level
• Reduce absolute Scope 3 emissions from energy and industrial sources by 45% by 2030, from a 2020 base level
• Reduce absolute Scope 3 emissions from forestry, land & agriculture by 45% by 2030, from a 2020 base level.

Alongside these targets, Hilton Foods also committed to no deforestation across their primary deforestation-linked commodities, with a target date of 31st December 2025. The company also committed to reach net zero greenhouse gas emissions across the value chain by 2048. This included a commitment to:

• Reduce absolute Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions by 98% by 2048, from a 2020 base year
• Reduce Scope 3 energy and industrial emissions by 90% by 2048, from a 2020 base year 
• Reduce absolute Scope 3 from forestry, land & agriculture emissions by 100% by 2048, from a 2020 base year.

Bringing forward Hilton Foods’ emissions targets from 2050 to 2048 has reportedly been made possible through initiatives across each part of Hilton Foods’ sustainability strategy: People, Planet and Product. Hilton said that this includes things that “accelerate progress” such as reducing food waste across production sites, rolling out solar generation across sites, reducing gas use, improving measurement and product development in packaging.

Lorna Schneider, group chief quality and sustainability officer of Hilton Foods commented: “Today’s news is a big step forward in helping people access high quality, affordable, sustainable and nutritional proteins. We’re proud to have updated our targets to align to 1.5°C and reach Net-Zero by 2048, validated by the SBTi. It’s evidence that working alongside our customers and suppliers, we’ve made fantastic progress to ensure we’re driving sustainability for our sector.

“Focus on sustainability in the three areas of people, planet and product is embedded in the business and forms a core part of our overall growth strategy, providing customers and ultimately consumers with sustainable affordable proteins.”