CPF Pursues Sustainability through Food Security and Circular Economy

Charoen Pokphand Foods Public Company Limited (CPF) unveils the sustainability strategy and targets, emphasizing food security and the circular economy-based operations that call for more renewable energy consumption, less use of single-use plastics, less food loss and waste, less greenhouse gas emissions and material sourcing from certified suppliers.

 

Mr. Wuthichai Sithipreedanant, Senior Vice President – Social Responsibility and Sustainability Development of CPF, said that the company, as an integrated agro-industrial and food business that are concerned with social and environmental responsibility as well as food security for Thailand and the globe, will apply the circular economy concept throughout the value chain.

CPF is convinced that the concept will prepare the company for global trends, business challenges and stakeholders’ expectations. It also highlights the company’s support to Charoen Pokphand Group’s goal to become a net-zero carbon organization in 2050.

 

The sustainability strategy and targets to be achieved in 2030 is unveiled, giving importance to the promotion of renewable energy, energy efficiency, traceable material sourcing, sustainable production process, reduction in food loss and waste, and less use of single-use plastics which will help mitigate climate change impacts.

 

In 2021, CPF will proceed with its renewable energy policy implemented in the previous year. At present, renewable energy accounts for 26% of total energy consumed by CPF’s feed mills (Feed), livestock farms (Farm), and processed food (Food) businesses. The energy comes from solar panels installed on the roofs of 24 factories and office buildings as well as ground-mounted solar farms at 16 pig farms. In the next step, all pig farms in Thailand will have their own solar farms.

 

Under the sustainable packaging policy and guidelines, CPF aims to further reduce plastic consumption. In this regard, 100% of plastic packaging must be reusable, recyclable, upcyclable or compostable within 2025 for the operations in Thailand and in 2030 for overseas operations. At present, 99.99% of CPF’ plastic packaging is reusable and recyclable.

 

To achieve sustainable food production, CPF announced the Food Loss and Food Waste Policy in 2020. The policy is aimed at reducing food loss and food waste, starting with the broiler and layer chicken business. Success at the pilot project will be replicated at other businesses.

 

Mr. Wuthichai added that in 2020, CPF launched actions to achieve environmental sustainability in 4 main areas: energy use per produced product dropped by 15% compared to the base year 2015; greenhouse gas emissions per produced product fell by 15% compared to the base year 2015; water usage per produced product was slashed by 25% compared to the base year 2015 thanks to the aquaculture business’s reduced consumption and shrimp farms’ application of water recycling technology; and waste to landfill per produced product was cut by 30$ compared to the base year 2015.

 

CPF also gives importance to traceability throughout the supply chain, to ensure that its raw materials are not grown on encroached forest areas. To date, all major suppliers of the feed mill, seasoning and packaging businesses are certified for sustainability. In other aspects, CPF encourages all suppliers to comply with the labor law and human rights principles.

CPF also launches quality of life improvement projects for farmers and small entrepreneurs and career development projects for the vulnerables. These projects involve more than 50,000 people.

“Amid the outbreak of COVID-19, CPF maintains its emphasis on food security. We have implemented maximum safety measures to protect both Thai and migrant workers, suppliers and all in the production process. This is to ensure continuity in production and assure Thai and global consumers of their undisrupted access to nutritional and healthy food in all situations. To play a role in stopping the spread, we also deliver food to medical personnel and people under quarantine,” Mr.Wuthichai said.

 

CPF shapes its operational targets under the 3 pillars of the corporate social responsibility strategy towards sustainability: “Food Security, Self-Sufficient Society and “Balance of Nature”.  The performance on sustainable development has been reviewed, revised and improved continually. The performance is publicized through the Sustainability Report, which is the 7th edition in 2020. On top of that, CPF vows to continue supporting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.