World leading food and drink business, PepsiCo has been named first in the food sector on the Dow Jones Sustainability Index.
Three years ago, PepsiCo began working towards reducing the carbon footprint of its agricultural supply chains, and in 2010 announced an aim to reduce its overall CO2 emissions and water use by 50 per cent over the next 5 years.
The ambitious ‘50 in 5’ campaign saw the company commission ADAS to work primarily with PepsiCo’s Walker’s Crisps brand in order to minimise the carbon footprint within its supply chain. This work was a leading example of the many initiatives that led to PepsiCo being named as the Dow Jones sustainability leader for the Food and Beverage sector.
Reducing the company’s carbon footprint is an important part of PepsiCo’s vision which, as a responsible corporate business, is to ‘continually improve all aspects of the world in which it operates’. Helping their growers to become more sustainable also makes good business sense, aiming to drive higher yields from fewer inputs.
ADAS continues to work closely with Walkers and its potato supply base to determine a baseline measurement for carbon and water, and to demonstrate improvement by implementing best practice on farm for low carbon and reduced water use. ADAS is also completing a number of specific low carbon development projects on fertiliser management, efficiency of field operations and store monitoring, in order to secure carbon reduction opportunities.
Mark Pettigrew, PepsiCo Agricultural Sustainability Manager for Europe said:
“Our recent listing as the Dow Jones ‘Food and Drink’ sustainability leader is further evidence that the ‘50 in 5’ campaign that PepsiCo introduced to reduce our carbon footprint is securing real benefits for our vision as a leader In Sustainable Agriculture – good for business and good for society”.
“PepsiCo has been working closely with ADAS over the last two years to use innovative research and practical applications to help us deliver sustainable food supply chains and to contribute to both corporate and Government sustainability targets.”
More information on the Dow Jones Sustainability Index can be viewed here. A case study on the work that ADAS conducted for PepsiCo can be viewed here.
For further information please contact David Lancaster on 01775 680878 / 07831 559327 or email David.Lancaster@adas.co.uk.