- Higher than anticipated employee turnover rate (22%).
- Increased water use by 11.8% per pound of product produced (attributed to improved data management and identification of opportunities for improvement).
- Increased natural gas usage by 8.2% (attributed to timing differences between usage and utilization from capital project investments).
SunOpta
Greenhouse gas emissions & sustainability report data
In its 2022 reporting, SunOpta disclosed greenhouse gas emissions of 42.6K tCO2e (Scope 1) + 16831 tCO2e (Scope 2). By scope: Scope 1: 42.6K tCO2e; Scope 2: 16.8K tCO2e. Figures are as stated in the company's own report and may use different boundaries, units or methods (for example market-based vs location-based Scope 2), so compare with care.
GHG Emissions
42.6K tCO2e (Scope 1) + 16831 tCO2e (Scope 2)
2022
📊 Emissions by Scope (2022)
| Scope | What it covers | Reported value |
|---|---|---|
| Scope 1 | Direct emissions from sources the company owns or controls (fuel combustion, company vehicles, process and fugitive emissions). | 42.6K tCO2e |
| Scope 2 | Indirect emissions from purchased electricity, steam, heat and cooling. | 16.8K tCO2e |
New to scopes? Read Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions explained and market-based vs location-based Scope 2.
📈 Emissions by Report Period
| Report period | Headline emissions figure reported |
|---|---|
| 2022 | 42.6K tCO2e (Scope 1) + 16831 tCO2e (Scope 2) |
Each row is the headline figure extracted from a different report; scope coverage and methodology can change between years.
✅ Reported Environmental Achievements
- Six facilities achieved zero waste to landfill (90% diversion from landfills), with two more awaiting verification.
- Improved CDP score to B- (above the food and beverage industry average of C).
- New Texas facility designed with sustainability features, reducing energy consumption by 45% and water usage by up to 20 million gallons per year.
- New Texas facility location expected to eliminate 15 million freight miles annually, reducing carbon emissions by 59 million pounds.
- Reduced electricity usage by 31.7% in US and Canadian plants from 2019 baseline.
- Donated 2,312,427 pounds of food to Feeding America.
🎯 Climate & Sustainability Targets
🔜 Short-term
- Achieve zero waste at all plant facilities by end of 2023.
- Finalizing and publishing Food Loss and Waste Reduction Policy and SOP for Food Donations.
📅 Medium-term
- Reduce electricity by 40% and natural gas by 30% by 2027 (compared to 2019 baseline, adjusted for production levels).
- Reduce water use by 25% by 2027 (compared to 2019 baseline, adjusted for production levels).
- Have 99% by weight of own branded packaging be recyclable, compostable, or reusable by 2025.
🔭 Long-term
- Double plant-based business by 2025.
🌱 ESG Focus Areas
GHG EmissionsBiodiversity/Ingredient SourcingProduct Environmental ImpactSupply Chain ManagementWater ManagementEnergy Management & UsageEnvironmental ManagementCustomer Welfare & SatisfactionData Privacy & CybersecurityProduct SafetySocial Impact of ProductsCommunity EngagementLabor PracticesDiversity, Equity & InclusionEmployee Engagement & SatisfactionEmployee Health & SafetyEmployee Recruitment, Development & RetentionBoard EffectivenessBoard DiversityWhistleblower ProgramBribery & CorruptionBusiness EthicsCompliance ProceduresShareholder AlignmentOversight of ESG Issues