Dawn Meats has achieved a significant reduction in emissions over a six-year period, from 2018 to 2024. This initiative is part of the company’s €100M-plus Plan Four Zero sustainability strategy, which includes an ambitious target of attaining operational Net Zero by 2040.
To clarify, Scope 1 encompasses emissions from sources that an organization directly owns or controls. Meanwhile, Scope 2 pertains to emissions produced indirectly, such as those resulting from the energy the company purchases and consumes.
The sustainability update released by the meat processor reveals impressive achievements. Notably, the company has conserved enough water to fill over 1,272 Olympic-size swimming pools and has boosted the volume of waste recycled, reused, and recovered to an impressive 75%.
Additionally, the report highlights Dawn Meats’ commitment to using an average of 30% recycled content in all plastic materials by 2025. Presently, all rigid trays utilized by the company contain over 50% recycled content, with some reaching as high as 100%. Furthermore, the company’s modified atmosphere packaging has 30% recycled content, while plastic liners and pallet wrap used in the UK contain 30% recycled film.
Looking ahead, the report outlines a climate target to reduce Scope 3 emissions intensity by 28% per tonne of finished product by 2030. This goal pertains to emissions from sourcing live cattle and sheep from 30,000 regular farmer suppliers across Ireland and the UK, alongside other meat products that account for 95% of Dawn Meats’ total emissions.
From 2018 to 2024, the company successfully achieved a 9% reduction in Scope 3 emissions intensity, primarily due to a decreased average carbon footprint on the assured farms that supply products to Dawn Meats.
Niall Browne, chief executive of Dawn Meats, stated: “At Dawn Meats and Dunbia, we are committed to providing consistent, high-quality meat products from sustainable sources to support our rural communities.
“For over 45 years, sustainability has been at the forefront of our operations in Ireland and in the UK. Driven by our commitment of €100 million to the Plan Four Zero strategy, we continue to collaborate with industry and supply chain partners to improve the sustainability of our products and remain competitive in the global marketplace.”
Gill Higgins, sustainability director at Dawn Meats, remarked: “At Dawn Meats and Dunbia, we are continuously innovating to advance towards our sustainability targets. This report reflects the united efforts of our 8,000 staff members in achieving our shared progress. Our Plan Four Zero strategy ensures our actions remain focused on addressing the most pressing challenges within the industry and work cross-functionally to implement the plan. As a business, we are proud of the exceptional teamwork and collaboration which has helped us to execute our sustainability strategy and deliver against our goals.”
Moreover, Dawn Meats announced plans to implement solar installations at its facilities in the UK and Ireland, following the successful installation of solar PV panels at the company’s Irish headquarters in Grannagh, Co Waterford.
