General Mills Sets GHG Emissions Goal
"Climate plays a significant role in the long-term viability of our business," says Jerry Lynch, vice president and chief sustainability officer. "For example, changes in climate have an impact on weather conditions such as drought, floods, and excessive heat, all of which can decrease yields on our raw materials like corn, oats, and wheat."
General Mills Inc. recently announced a goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions across its "entire value chain – from farm to fork to landfill – over the next 10 years. Our goal, developed using science-based methodology, is an ambitious one: a 28 percent absolute reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2025." and the company announced its "long term aspiration is to achieve sustainable emission levels in line with scientific consensus by 2050."
The company posted an interview with Jerry Lynch, its vice president and chief sustainability officer, about the goal.
"Climate plays a significant role in the long-term viability of our business," Lynch says. "For example, changes in climate have an impact on weather conditions such as drought, floods, and excessive heat, all of which can decrease yields on our raw materials like corn, oats, and wheat. Changing weather patterns can also impact our ability to deliver quality products to our consumers and value to our shareholders. As a global food company, we recognize the need to mitigate the risks climate change present to humanity, our environment and our livelihoods long term."
He later says that GM worked with Business for Social Responsibility to develop a science-based goal. "And by this I mean that we did not approach this asking ourselves what could we do to reduce our carbon footprint. Rather, we asked ourselves: What does science tell us our role is in preventing the worst impacts of climate change?
"Looking beyond 2025, our long term aspiration is to achieve sustainable emission levels in line with scientific consensus by 2050. That consensus tells us that the average global temperature increase must remain below 2°C (3.6°F) in order to safeguard the well-being of people and the planet for future generations."
Asked why GM made this commitment now, Lynch said, "As the world's leaders prepare for the UN-led 2015 Paris Climate Conference in December, climate change is top of mind for many right now. We believe by advancing our commitment now, we have an opportunity to encourage others to do the same, establish new partnerships, and together, make real progress towards more sustainable emission levels."