Climate change is a profound, systemic challenge
Danone’s strategy to reduce GHG emissions is based on the following pillars:
- Transforming agricultural practices to sequester more carbon in the ground
- Eliminating deforestation from our supply chain
- Offsetting the emissions that remain
Fuelling change
We are members of The Renewable Gas Forum of Ireland who recently launched a KPMG report which sets out the business case for a long-term biomethane industry.
Our climate journey
Our Waters brands Volvic and evian, as well as our milk formula plant in Wexford, have all been certified carbon neutral by the Carbon Trust. This independent organisation specialises in carbon neutrality, helping companies like Danone to reduce their CO2 emissions. All three achieved this internationally recognised certification by committing to a rigorous audit, analysing their carbon impact and identifying opportunities to reduce carbon by reconfiguring production and distribution processes. Carbon Trust audits are based on an internationally recognised standard for demonstrating carbon neutrality known as PAS 2060. The certifications are steps towards becoming a zero net carbon company by 2050 and an illustration of our 'One Planet. One Health' vision in action.
THE FIRST CARBON NEUTRAL BABY FORMULA PLANT IN THE WORLD
Our team at Danone Wexford set out on the visionary journey of becoming the first carbon neutral baby formula production site in the world. On 1st July 2020, Danone Wexford supply point achieved that goal when it was certified carbon neutral by the Carbon Trust.
Over the last 10 years, carbon emissions were curbed by improving the energy efficiency of the plant and switching to renewable energy sources, whilst improving the waste management in the facility. These actions reduced CO2 emissions by 10,000 tonnes compared to the plant’s emissions in 2010. This 70% reduction was achieved whilst the plant doubled its production volumes. Read the full story here.
Watch to find out about Wexford's transformational 10 year journey
CARBON NEUTRAL WATER BRANDS
Our largest water brands, Volvic and evian, have also been certified carbon neutral by the Carbon Trust. Here are some of the actions they have undertaken on their carbon neutral journey.
Packaging - Using less, recycling more, changing materials
evian and Volvic have increased their use of recycled plastic. Since 2020, single 50cl*, 75cl* and 1.5litre* evian bottles sold in the UK are made from 100% recycled plastic. Volvic also made their bottles lighter, to use less packaging materials and are working to use more recycled materials.
*excluding cap and label
Energy - Choosing renewable energy and implementing environmental management systems
evian's bottling site in France is an example of best-in-class energy and environmental management. Entirely powered by renewable energy, it has also received both ISO 50001 and ISO 14001 certifications for sustainable practices, which are international standards for effective environmental management. Volvic is using less energy, reducing consumption by 20% since 2007. In 2020, Volvic switched to renewable energy in their mineral water bottling site.
Transport - Using lower carbon transport alternatives
Some 75% of evian bottles are transported from our factory by train in France to harbours, because trains produce a carbon footprint 10x smaller than trucks.
Volvic has worked with its supply chain to switch to a lower carbon transport alternative and improve distance efficiency. Some 78% of Volvic travels from the bottling site to the UK by train, yielding a carbon footprint 7 times lower than that of trucks*.
*Calculation based on ADEME and actual Danone routes
Offsetting
evian offsets remaining emissions with the help of the Livelihoods Carbon Funds, which Danone co-founded in 2008. The fund has planted nearly 130 million trees to capture carbon emissions naturally. The trees absorb carbon and produce oxygen and act as a living shield for coastal regions. Activities supported by the Funds also preserve the water ecosystem and employ local communities.
South Pole Partnership
Volvic is helping to restore the balance of carbon emissions by investing in natural ecosystem protection projects with our partner and project developer, South Pole. In this way, Volvic contributes to protecting forests, watersheds, biodiversity and local communities in more than two billion square meters of natural ecosystems in volcanic countries such as Peru, Congo and Uganda. These projects help to absorb carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and offset Volvic’s remaining carbon emissions to achieve carbon neutrality.