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British Sugar reinforces its decarbonisation commitment

15 February 2024

• British Sugar has committed to contribute towards the achievement of science-based decarbonisation targets set by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi)
• SBTi has validated the near term and net-zero targets of ABF Sugar, of which British Sugar is a subsidiary; to be achieved by 2030 and 2050 respectively.
• The validation is testament to British Sugar and ABF Sugar’s long-term commitment to taking a proactive approach to addressing climate change and mitigating its impacts through our actions.

As part of its climate change mitigation efforts, British Sugar is taking a proactive role in its decarbonisation plans by committing to the achievement of group science-based targets that have been validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). ABF Sugar, of which British Sugar is a subsidiary, has had its near term and net-zero targets validated by SBTi. These will be achieved by 2030 and 2050 respectively.

The SBTi is a global body that defines and promotes best practice in science-based target setting. It enables businesses to set ambitious emissions reductions targets in line with the latest climate science and is focused on accelerating companies’ efforts around the world to halve emissions before 2030 and achieve net-zero emissions before 2050.

As part of these efforts, British Sugar is contributing to ABF Sugar’s targets in a number of ways, including continuing to invest in energy reduction schemes across our sites, and drive energy efficiency improvements, exploring opportunities to move to using cleaner fuels and working across our agriculture supply chain to reduce carbon emissions through reducing inputs, increasing yields and optimising on-farm activities.

Specific projects include our Wissington site energy reduction scheme, implemented in 2023, which will reduce steam usage onsite by 25%, a similar scheme at our Bury St Edmunds site, due to be operating by the end of 2025, and a new Combined Heat and Power (CHP) plant at our Cantley site, due to be operating by 2025. We have also reopened the CO2 capture plant at our Wissington site, in partnership with Air Liquide. 

Keith Packer, Managing Director of British Sugar, said: “As part of ABF Sugar, British Sugar continues our role in addressing climate change and mitigating its impacts through our actions. Our comprehensive energy reduction schemes across all of our sites will play a key role in helping towards this journey. With these SBTi validated targets now in place, we will seek to continue collaborating across industry, our customers, and our growers to ensure we continue to make a positive impact to the environment.”

About ABF Sugar

ABF Sugar is one of the world’s leading sugar businesses. Operating across 21 plants in 9 countries, employing around 35,000 people. ABF Sugar makes a diverse range of products including sugar, animal feed, ethanol, speciality and generates electricity from renewable energy sources.

Learn more about ABF Sugar’s climate commitments here.

About SBTi

The SBTi is a global body that defines and promotes best practice in science-based target setting. It enables businesses to set ambitious emissions reductions targets in line with the latest climate science and is focused on accelerating companies’ efforts around the world to halve emissions before 2030 and achieve net-zero emissions before 2050.

You can learn more about science-based targets and validated businesses from https://sciencebasedtargets.org