Creed Foodservice has revealed “industry-leading” sustainability targets which include plans to go Net Zero by 2035, following work with consultancy firm ClimatePartner.
This target will be preceded by Creed’s commitment to becoming Carbon Neutral by 2025, with the company already implementing schemes including recent plans to install 1,650 solar panels at its Ilkeston depot by the end of May. Once completed, it’s estimated that 30% of the power used at the site will come from sunlight, whilst 181,000 kwh’s of renewable energy will be fed back into the grid to provide green energy to other users.
In addition to the solar panel installation, Creed continues to invest in technology across its sites which contribute to emissions reduction. This includes LED lighting systems being used across all warehouses, offices and yards, with voltage optimisation installed where it makes operational sense; a commitment to using suppliers of renewable energy where energy isn’t coming from solar panels installed on site; electric charging points at all sites for electric vehicles, and use of Euro 6 lorries, which feature the highest standard and cleanest engines on the market today.
Read more: Creed partners with Too Good to Go to tackle food waste
Furthermore, the business continues to tackle its waste management – maintaining a Landfill-Free status across all sites, with waste being collected and used for energy, or recycled. Creed also works with Olleco to provide food and oil waste collection services to its customers, and continues to partner with Too Good to Go to sell short-dated stock, alongside providing ongoing donations to local charity partners.
Creed’s sustainability director, Phillip Creed, said “We’ve stuck our neck out with these targets, something the entire team unequivocally agrees is essential if we’re serious about continuing with what we have already started, and to set a clear example for others in the industry.
“We’d be remiss to deny the huge challenges that reducing emissions so significantly presents, but with the support of ClimatePartner – who are part of the international CCS+ Initiative, championing technologies that are in line with the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi) guidance – we are absolutely committed to delivering what we’ve set out to.
“With this being our 50th year in business, we’ve seen a multitude of challenges face this sector over the years, but never have we been confronted with one so pressing which requires such rigorous and determined action. Not only will we continue to evolve the way we operate in line with these targets, but we’ll be working hard with our 380+ suppliers and thousands of customers to achieve this endeavor and support them in their own too,” he added.
