Kerry Group
Membership Status:
Membership Pending
Sector:
Dairy
About the company
Since the commissioning of the first dairy and ingredients plant in Listowel, Ireland in 1972, Kerry has grown to become the industry’s leading provider of technology based Taste & Nutrition solutions for the food, beverage and pharmaceutical markets.
Its broad technology foundation, customercentric business model, and industry-leading integrated solutions capability make Kerry the co-creation partner of choice.
Kerry is also an industry-leading manufacturer of chilled food products primarily to the Irish and UK markets. Kerry employs over 26,000 people globally, including over 1,000 food scientists, and its global presence extends across 148 manufacturing facilities in 32 countries.
Key Sustainability Commitments
Kerry’s Origin Green commitments form an integral part of the Group’s global sustainability programme, Towards 2020. As part of their Origin Green Charter, Kerry has made commitments in the following areas.
Sustainable Sourcing
Kerry’s Supplier Code of Conduct sets out the standards it expects from those who seek to do business with the Group and as members of SEDEX (Supplier Ethical Data Exchange), Kerry use this shared platform to help ensure good practice among its supply base.
Within key categories Kerry is also looking at ways to encourage more sustainable agriculture and is the first major milk processor to have 100% of suppliers certified under the Sustainable Dairy Assurance Scheme.
The Group has also made commitments on the sourcing of palm oil and paper packaging and works actively with industry partners through collaborative organisations like, Sustainable Dairy Ireland, RSPO and SAI Platform.
Environmental Footprint
All Kerry’s Origin Green sites are certified under ISO 14001, an internationally recognised environmental management standard. Under their charter, the Group is targeting ongoing environmental improvements across their 6 major processing facilities in Ireland.
In the three year period from 2017-2020, Kerry aims to achieve a 21% reduction in carbon, a 13% reduction in water and an 18% reduction in waste across these facilities. The Group is also targeting Zero Waste to Landfill by 2020.
Health & Nutrition
As the world leader in Taste & Nutrition and a leading producer of consumer foods, Kerry is ideally positioned to meet the growing demand for healthier food choices. As the provider of the largest, most innovative portfolio of Taste & Nutrition technologies and systems, they are committed to supporting customers in the creation of healthier more nutritious products.
Community Support
With its roots in the cooperative movement, Kerry has a proud history of community support. The Group commits significant time and resources to help those in need around the world.
Kerry offers support for a broad range of charity, community, sport and cultural projects in the regions where they operate and at an international level this includes a pioneering project with the World Food Programme in Honduras and the award winning RAIN project in partnership with Concern Worldwide in Africa.
Social Media Links
https://twitter.com/kerryfoodgroup https://www.linkedin.com/company/KerryExemplary Performance Target Areas
Minimum Origin Green Targets Required Annually = 8
Kerry’s Origin Green charter included targets in the following:
Supplier Certification, Packaging, Water, Waste, Energy/ Emissions, Employee Wellbeing, Community Engagement and Health & Nutrition.
Spotlight Target Area: Carbon Emissions
Kerry Group’s heritage is rooted in sustainable development with a founding vision of creating a more viable future for farmers in South West Ireland. That commitment to economic growth, balanced with broader stakeholder needs is enshrined in their mission statement to this day. The Kerry Group are a founding member of the Origin Green programme.
All Kerry’s Origin Green sites are certified under ISO 14001, an internationally recognised environmental management standard. Kerry’s Origin Green plan targets ongoing environmental improvements across their 6 major processing facilities in Ireland as part of broader commitments under their Group-wide Beyond the Horizon strategy. This includes a Science Based Target for carbon reduction and an ambition to be Net Zero before 2050.
Exceeding Targets
As part of the Group’s new sustainability strategy, Beyond the Horizon, Kerry aims to reach over two billion people with sustainable nutrition solutions by 2030. Kerry will achieve this by continuing to partner with its customers across the globe to create a world of sustainable nutrition.
As a user of electricity, fossil fuels and natural resources their greatest direct influence on climate change is through their use of these resources. As such, the Group set a Target of a 21% reduction in Carbon Intensity (tonnes CO 2e /tonne finished product) over a 3 year period 2017 – 2019 versus a 2013 baseline. This target relates to 6 sites Scope 1 (direct from energy generation) and Scope 2 emissions (indirect from purchased electricity and heat) by 2020.
In 2019, Kerry concluded their 3-year Origin Green plan and the Group’s Towards 2020 programme with a really strong performance on carbon intensity. They significantly exceeded their stated target of 21%, achieving more than double that goal, with a 45% reduction by year end. Kerry’s 2019 emissions data is independently verified by Jacob’s in accordance with AA1000 AS.
“We are really proud of the progress made across our Origin Green sites to date and their contribution to our Gold Member Status.”
Pat Murphy, CEO Primary Dairy
