Maple Leaf Foods urges more action against climate change

Addressed to world government leaders, the Canadian business is among 49 other signatories calling for greater public-private cooperation with carbon pricing mechanisms, policies to incentivise low-carbon investment and drive demand for carbon reduction solutions.

The letter also highlighted cutting emissions to generate more support in the private sector.

The companies are aiming to push action from world leaders ahead of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) conference in Katowice, Poland, where governments will meet to discuss progress towards delivering the commitment set at the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement.

As part of the commitment, Maple Leaf Foods has set a target to reduce its environmental footprint by 50% by 2025.

The business also launched a sustainability strategy in 2014 and has since reduced its total energy intensity by 19% and greenhouse gas emissions by 18%.

“Climate change is the single greatest challenge facing our world and Maple Leaf is committed to operating within the bounds of environmental limits and providing consumers with more sustainable food choices​,” said Maple Leaf Foods president Michael McCain.

“Real change also needs real political leadership, and we stand beside these other global companies to push for action that achieves the goals of the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement​.”

Thirty of the companies that signed the letter reduced emissions by 9% between 2015 and 2016.