The largest proportion of our carbon footprint comes from our Scope 3 emissions – or, in other words – our value chain.
This scope includes emissions that come from the ingredients and raw materials that we purchase, the farming practices used to grow our wheat, the fuel used to transport the flour to our bakery, and even our colleagues’ commutes into our sites.
Whilst these emissions result from the day-to-day running of our business, they do not sit under our direct control. These emissions can only be influenced by our network of suppliers and farmers. That is why we’re continuing to work closely with our suppliers and farmers to collaboratively reduce our impact on the environment, whilst continuing to bring Warburtons product into our consumers homes.
Scope 3 Emissions
Our Scope 3 emissions – the indirect emissions generated from activity in supply chain – make up the largest proportion of our carbon footprint.
From the goods and service that we purchase, to the waste we generate in our operations, and the end-of-life treatment of our sold products, we need to account for and work to minimise our impact. This starts with ensuring we source our ingredients and goods responsibly, as well as making sure we work with suppliers who are also working to reduce their environmental impact.
That’s why, as part of the Responsible Business Plan, we will work closely with our suppliers to deliver our net zero target, whilst also building an engagement programme for our supplier network which will support the mutual achievement of our sustainability goals.
FLAG Emissions
FLAG emissions refer to greenhouse gases released by forestry, land use, and agricultural practices, such as the release of Co2 from deforestation, methane from livestock, and nitrous oxide from fertilisers. FLAG emissions differ from emissions from industrial processes, because they involve natural processes, land management practices, and land-use change.
Together with our farmers, we’re working to achieve our shared goals of increasing productivity and reducing on-farm emissions. Over the past 3 years, we have been capturing on-farm data to help us identify carbon hotspots that provide us with deeper insight into areas for us to focus our efforts. We also hold regular Growers Groups to share best practices.
Whilst our farmers have already made huge strides in this space, there’s lots more we can do. We are aiming to support our farmers through the development of a Warburtons Farming and Nature Standard, that will provide a framework for all of our farmers to work towards.
Find out more about how we are tackling our FLAG emissions on our Farming pages.