In the run-up to COP26, we're accelerating our climate action. We know that we need to move faster, and we’re delighted to announce that Cranswick Gourmet Sausage, our Lazenby's site, has achieved the PAS 2060 Carbon Neutrality Standard.
The site has reached this key milestone by investing in CDP certified training, introducing a forward-looking and climate-smart emission reduction plan and by backing verified conservation and reforestation projects, to offset remaining emissions.
REDUCING CARBON TO DATE
From the baseline year of 2017/2018, the team has undertaken a vast number of projects to cut overall emissions by 69%, including:
- Line stops: single point shutdown for production lines for breaks and end of production runs
- Air saving: PLC control of air required for aeration system for sausage skins
- Providing training and briefing of staff to reduce water waste
- A new Environment and Energy section in purchasing documents requires completion prior to new equipment orders
- Switching to more environmentally friendly refrigerant gases such as ammonia has helped reduce the site's dependency on F-gas refrigeration units, as well as reduced nitrogen by removing the IQF freezer line
- Enabling sub-metering and voluntary TRIADS in lower production hours has allowed the site to better understand and ultimately reduce energy usage
- Introducing quarterly checks for water system leaks from intake to end-user, reducing non required hot water usage, and fitting timed/metered tap units has enabled the site to maximise water efficiency
- Investing into REGO certified renewable energy has allowed the site to neutralise electricity emissions
REALISING CARBON NEUTRALITY
In line with our long-term goal of becoming fully net zero, the site now has a resilient and certified emission reduction plan. Marcus Hoggarth, site director of Cranswick Gourmet Sausage, said, "We're renowned for producing a gourmet product. Being able to produce high quality at scale and now balancing this with the same level of climate credentials is ambitious, and our carbon neutral achievement has fired us up - we are ready for the journey."
As long as residual carbon emissions are still being produced, the team is investing in projects that will remove the equivalent amount of carbon from the atmosphere, hence realising carbon neutrality. These carbon offsets have been strategically chosen to not only combat climate change but also support the community through being aligned to specific UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). They are registered, as well as validated by two of the most acclaimed carbon bodies: Verra and Gold Standart.
The two chosen projects are:
1. Breathing Space Cookstoves in India: for improved food security of the local people and reduced deforestation (Gold Standard verified: SDG Goal 3 Good Health and Well-being, SDG Goal 6 Clean Water and Sanitation, SDG Goal 13 Climate Action). 75% of India´s energy consumption comes from households with cooking alone responsible for 90% of household energy consumption. Approximately 400,000 women and children die every year in India due to exposure to smoke from household use of solid fuels. The Breathing Space Programme is working towards bringing cleaner and greener cooking stoves to Indian households. By replacing traditional stoves it reduces indoor air pollution, as well as decreases Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions. Additionally, higher efficiency leads to less fuelwood, which reduces pressure on local forests. Each cookstove will reduce approximately 5 tonnes of CO2 over its useful life. This project will offset 418 tonnes of carbon.
2. Southern Cardamom REDD+ in Cambodia: validated by Verra and CCB Biodiversity Gold Standart, this project protects 497,000 hectares of tropical rainforest in South-West Cambodia, which is globally significant for wildlife conservation, ecosystem servicing, and community livelihoods. The project uses global best practices of forest protection and community development to preserve the rainforest, as well as combat the root cause of deforestation in the area, a lack of education, job opportunities, and ultimately poverty. This initiative is advancing the following SDGs: Goal 3 Good Health and Wellbeing, Goal 4 Quality Education, Goal 5 Gender Equality, Goal 8 Decent Wages & Economic Growth Goal 12 Responsible Consumption & Production, Goal 13 Climate Action, and Goal 15 Life on Land.
This project prevents more than 3,000,000 tons of carbon emissions annually, with the Cranswick Gourmet Sausage contribution offsetting 417 tonnes of carbon.
What’s next?
The team at Cranswick Gourmet Sausage is determined to reduce their carbon footprint even more drastically moving forward. With CPD Net Zero accredited colleagues, they are ready to activate an approved emission reduction path, which is a fundamental part of the PAS 2060 specification and commitment to the Net Zero by 2040 goal. The plan includes:
- Evaluating the benefit of a Combined Heat and Power plant on-site to support energy efficiency
- Investing into an on-site solar rooftop to generate direct electricity for the site’s consumption, and feed into the distribution network
- Eliminating all remaining F-Gas through either replacing or retrofitting equipment to become compatible with Ammonia or CO2 Grade refrigerants, as leaks from these two compounds cause negligible to no emissions due to their low to insignificant GWP
- Reviewing all equipment, vehicles, or other machinery using red diesel on site and consider electrification or a substitute biofuel to eliminate emissions further
The team at Gourmet Sausage join Cranswick Continental Foods Bury, Cranswick Country Foods Ballymena, Cranswick Convenience Foods Milton Keynes, Cranswick Gourmet Pastry in Malton and Cranswick Country Foods at Riverside, who have all achieved carbon neutrality.