ABP Food Group is the first food processor in the world to achieve triple certification to the Carbon Trust Standard for a record third consecutive time.

The Carbon Trust Standard is an independent certification awarded to organisations that can demonstrate they are taking effective action to tackle their environmental impact, verifying reductions in carbon emissions, water use and waste output.

It recognises good management and year-on-year improvements in sustainability performance.

The achievement has been attributed to the processor’s ‘Doing More with Less’ sustainability strategy; a strategy which aims to substantially reduce ABP Food Group’s environmental footprint.

Proof of progress

Achieving triple certification to the Carbon Trust Standard for a third consecutive time is proof of the progress being made by the processor, according to Group Technical and Sustainability Director at ABP Food Group, Dean Holroyd.

In 2014, ABP Food Group was the first food processor globally to achieve this prestigious recognition for the progress made on sustainability across our business.

“To now achieve it three times in a row is tangible proof of our industry-leading standards and the real progress we have made in reducing our environmental footprint,” he said.

Meanwhile, the processor continues to be a leading light in both Britain and Ireland, the Associate Director at the Carbon Trust, John Newton, said.

“Within this market, ABP Food Group has once again demonstrated its leadership credentials through achieving significant ongoing reductions in its own environmental impact.

“We are delighted to recognise this by awarding re-certification to the Carbon Trust Standard, thanks to the company’s achievements in – once again – cutting carbon emissions, water use and waste from its operations,” Newton said.

In 2015, ABP opened beef processing facilities at Ellesmere in Shropshire in the UK; facilities which it claims are among the most sustainable in the world.

The site has the ability to generate all of its own heating and hot water needs, as well as up to 100% of its electricity requirements, from bio-fuel produced as a by-product of the beef processing operation.

Meanwhile, all of the processor’s Irish sites reportedly received the international energy management standard ISO 50001 in 2016; this was awarded in recognition of the work implemented by the processor to improve energy efficiency.