The Consumer Goods Forum’s Net Zero Coalition of Action has published a new set of supplier sustainability targets, with which it is seeking to accelerate decarbonisation across the consumer goods sector.
The new targets were developed by the 26-strong coalition, comprising leading retailers and FMCG companies, to also address Scope 3 emissions, which account for the majority of greenhouse gas emissions in the value chain.
The initiative is designed to foster collaboration and consistency across the sector while encouraging non-member companies to adopt the targets and expand their impact.
‘Cascade these expectations’
In a statement, The Consumer Goods Forum (CGF) recommended that ‘companies and suppliers cascade these expectations down the supply chain, extending to the suppliers of suppliers, and that the targets be adopted by other FMCG companies that are not currently part of the Coalition’.
“By introducing these new targets, we are establishing a much-needed suite of supplier expectations that will help the address scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions across the supply chain,” commented Grant Sprick, VP, climate and environment at Dutch retailer Ahold Delhaize.
“This is a critical step toward making the supply chain more resilient, and by collectively adopting these supplier expectations, we can accelerate the decarbonisation efforts needed to meet our climate goals.”
‘Flexibility is key’
By enabling businesses to prioritise the most relevant sustainability issues, the initiative balances consistency with operational adaptability, fostering momentum toward meaningful change, the CGF noted.
“The flexibility of these targets is key,” commented Archana Jagannathan, chief sustainability officer at PepsiCo Europe. “It allows businesses to tailor their approach, making sure that the most relevant sustainability issues are prioritised, while maintaining the momentum to drive sector-wide change.”
The new targets were published to coincide with COP29 in Baku, and align with the coalition’s broader mission to achieve net zero emissions by 2050, in line with the Paris Agreement’s goal of limiting global warming to 1.5°C.
Elsewhere, Rebecca Marmot, chief sustainability officer at Unilever, said that by collaborating and setting “consistent expectations” for suppliers, “we can create meaningful, long-term change across our industry. These targets demonstrate our collective commitment to reducing environmental impacts at scale, helping to secure a more sustainable future for all. For many companies, this will be an initial step in their supplier sustainability journey, and we hope that it encourages progressive steps going forward.” Read more here.
