JBS announces investment to meet 2040 net-zero emissions target

JBS has committed to achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040, supported by an investment of more than $1 billion over the next decade.

The commitment spans the company’s global operations including Pilgrim’s Pride, as well as its value chain of agricultural produce partners, suppliers and customers. 

In an effort to reach its target, JBS will invest more than $1 billion in emission reduction projects over the next decade. The meatpacker is also committing $100 million by 2030 in R&D projects to strengthen and scale regenerative farming practices, such as carbon sequestration and on-farm emission mitigation technologies.

JBS’ net-zero commitment reportedly marks a first for the global meat and poultry sector and comes amid criticism of the industrial meat economy for its role in driving rainforest destruction.

In order to meet its 2040 target, JBS will develop greenhouse gas emission reduction targets across its global operations and value chains in South America, North America, Europe, the UK, Australia and New Zealand.

The company plans to provide a time-bound roadmap that delivers interim targets, as well as annual progress updates. As part of its journey, JBS aims to reduce its global scope 1 and 2 emission intensity by at least 30% by 2030, against base year 2019.

Other strategies include joining the RE100 initiative and converting to 100% renewable electricity across its global facilities by 2040.

JBS has also pledged to eliminate illegal Amazon deforestation from its supply chain – including the suppliers of its suppliers – by 2025 and other Brazilian biomes by 2030. This builds on its Together for the Amazon programme, which it launched last year.

“Climate change is the great challenge of our time and we must act urgently to combat the negative effects of global warming,” said Gilberto Tomazoni, JBS global CEO.

“As one of the most diversified global food companies, we have an opportunity to leverage our scale and influence to help lead a sustainable transformation of agricultural markets that empowers producers, suppliers, customers and consumers. Agriculture can and must be part of the global climate solution. We believe through innovation, investment and collaboration, net zero is within our collective grasp.”