Australians tucking into their Cornflakes each morning will now be making a difference daily by consuming a breakfast that has become part of the solution to tackle climate change.
Kellogg today became the second global food giant to say it will take industry-leading steps to cut greenhouse gas emissions in its agricultural supply chains in line with climate science.
Oxfam Australia’s climate change policy advisor Simon Bradshaw said the move was in response to global pressure by more than 238,000 supporters of Oxfam’s Behind the Brands campaign, which called on the top ten food and drink companies to do more to limit greenhouse gas emissions. General Mills announced similar plans on 28 July.
“We welcome Kellogg’s efforts to become an industry leader in the fight against climate change and the damage it is causing to people everywhere,” Mr Bradshaw said.
“Just as the Australian Government takes backwards steps on climate change, it’s exciting to see such powerful companies committing to stronger action.
“Kellogg’s new commitments add to pressure on governments and the wider food and agriculture industry to recognise that climate change is real, it’s happening now, and we need to tackle it.
“The Australian Government will continue to come under greater pressure from business and the international community to legislate an ambitious, long-term plan of action on climate change.”
Most significantly, Kellogg specified that it will for the first time set targets to reduce “Scope 3” greenhouse gas emissions. This includes the greenhouse gas emissions involved in growing the raw ingredients, which result from such things as land clearing and fertilizer. While not under the direct control of the company, these agricultural emissions account for the majority of the emissions associated with its products.
Kellogg will also sign-on to the Climate Declaration (which brings together companies and individuals to demonstrate support for action on climate change) and join the Business for Innovative Climate and Energy Policy (BICEP), a leading advocacy coalition of businesses committed to working with policy makers to pass meaningful climate and energy legislation.
“Climate change is putting hundreds of millions of people at risk of hunger and threatening everything from coffee and cereal to wine and chocolate,” Mr Bradshaw said.
“We applaud Kellogg for taking this vital first step. There is no longer a question of whether consumer action can produce results. The real question is whether the wider industry and our political leaders will get ahead of the wave or wait to be dumped by it.”
Kellogg’s new climate policy comes alongside other promising new sustainability commitments released today, including disclosing the top three suppliers of palm oil, soy, and sugar cane, key drivers of deforestation and land use change, and expand the zero net deforestation pledge to high-risk supply chains by 2020.
For interviews please contact Angus Hohenboken on 0428 367 318 or angush@oxfam.org.au
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