Business North May 2021

42 | T T New products - page 44 DAIRY INDUSTRY Danone New Zealand Sustainability core strategy for growth T T Karen Phelps In New Zealand Danone has pivoted its iconic milk formula brand Karicare to become carbon neutral by 2030. D anone has stepped up the speed and increased the depth of its transforma- tion actions to put climate further at the core of its growth model, building truly recognised activist brands. “We are bringing to life our One Planet. One Health vision, based on the conviction that there is no healthy food without a healthy planet,” explains Danone operations director in New Zealand Leon Fung. “Danone is committed to bold, measurable and accountable sustainability actions on four pillars: climate change, water stewardship, re- generative agriculture and a circular economy for packaging.” To accelerate its sustainability transition, Danone has pledged ambitious goals including becoming a zero-net carbon company across its full scope by 2050 and having 100% of all packaging recyclable, reusable or compostable by 2025. To support and achieve its goals the compa- ny launched a $3b fund in 2020 dedicated to a climate acceleration plan over the next three years that is designed to further transform Danone’s agriculture, energy and operations, packaging and digital capabilities. On its sustainability journey Danone has already achieved a number of significant mile - stones. Recently the company was recognised for its work as a global environmental leader, becoming one of only six companies in the world with a ‘triple A’ score by international non-profit charity CDP. In line with this rec - ognition, Danone has also committed to be- coming a B Corp company by 2025, the largest company to date to make such a commitment. The B Corp certification assesses businesses that meet the highest standards of verified social and environmental performance, public transparency and legal accountability to bal- ance profit and purpose. In New Zealand Danone has pivoted its iconic milk formula brand Karicare to become carbon neutral by 2030. “Karicare is the first milk formula brand in Australia and New Zealand to commit to such a strong target, with Karicare Gold+ Organic one of the first carbon neutral products being certified in 2022. With this we are offering consumers the opportunity to make better purchasing choices for the planet,” says Leon. Karicare will achieve its carbon emission reduction through many initiatives including a $30m biomass boiler to provide renewable heat at its South Island spray drying facility near Balclutha. The boiler will be the first one for a New Zealand dairy plant to work exclusively on biomass, making it a unique achievement for the industry, says Leon. Operational by the end of this year, the new biomass boiler will eliminate around 20,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions annually. Danone has also switched to 100% renewa- ble electricity for all its New Zealand plants this year. Between the move to renewable energy and biomass-based heating, the total operational CO2 emissions at the Balclutha plant will be reduced by 95%. Leon says that this is an integral part of Danone’s worldwide ambition to be a zero-net carbon company by 2050. Danone’s dairy spray drying facility in the South Island is also on track to become a carbon neutral facility by 2023, another major target for Danone and for the New Zealand dairy industry. Leon says that in the long term Danone is looking to limit its operations’ environmental impact as much as possible and preserve New Zealand’s local resources with large scale measures. Looking at what the company has recently achieved in Brazil with its first Zero Impact facility (zero water discharge, zero waste to landfill, zero carbon emissions), Leon says that Danone in New Zealand is already on its way on an exciting journey, exploring sustainabil- ity opportunities with local companies for its facilities in Aotearoa. www.airliquide.co.nz | 0800 838 838 Proud to be a key partner supporting Danone Nutricia Air Liquide - a world leader in gases, technologies and services to Industry and Health. Awearness Corporate Promotions Limited, 5B, 400 Rosedale Road, Albany. PO Box 303 375, North Harbour 0632, New Zealand Telephone +64 9 415 0850 Facsimile +64 9 415 0860 Email helenr@awearness.co.nz www.awearness.co.nz COR PORAT E P RODUC T S B RAND I NG MAR K E T I NG IMPORTANT PLEASE READ AND SIGN BELOW 40 College Hill Road, Ponsonby I Ph 376 7360 I Fax 376 7361 I Email ponsonby@graphicimpact.co.nz 22/09/06 JOLENE CHARLES 29511 IMPORTANT 40 College Hill Road, Pon 22/09/06 29511 40 College Hill Road, Ponsonby I Ph 376 7360 I Fax 376 7361 I Email ponsonby@graphicimpact.co.nz 22/09/06 JOLENE CHARLES 29511 40 College Hill Road, Pon 22/09/06 29511 Awe E N S U R I N G B R A N D I N T E G R I T Y P: (09) 415 0850 M: 021 277 8389 (Helen) F: (09) 415 0860 E: helenr@awearness.co.nz W: awearness.co.nz Awearness serves both large corporate clients, through to the one-man band. Our focus has always been on nurturing relationships with customers and maintaining a very strict quality control process. From corporate apparel, to sports teams & school wear, we offer it all, along with corporate gifts assisting companies to support their brand, for staff and clients alike.