Cargill has set a course to protect oceans, a vital ecosystem where the company helps to grow and move food around the world
Cargill’s latest initiative, SeaFurther Sustainability, will help aqua farmers raise more sustainable seafood with less environmental impact. It is part of the company’s overall carbon commitment, with a science-based scope three targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 30% per tonne of food by 2030. SeaFurther alone will help save two billion kilograms of CO2 by 2030, which is the equivalent of removing more than 400,000 cars from the road.
“With SeaFurther Sustainability we are charting a new bold course, one that makes aquaculture better for our planet,” said Pilar Cruz, president and group leader for Cargill Aqua Nutrition. “Seafood consumption is rising globally. We want to meet that demand; increasing production while decreasing environmental impact. By working closely with farmers to source sustainable ingredients, improve farm productivity and ensure fish welfare, Cargill is redefining aquaculture’s role in helping the world thrive.”
Reducing the climate impact of aquafarming and feed
Cargill’s SeaFurther programme will start with salmon farmers, who are focused on the role they play in ocean stewardship and addressing the sustainability of food systems, especially with relation to climate change.
“Delivering more sustainable aquaculture will require the value chain to align on key goals and work together to deliver on them. By agreeing on the value of the changes that are required, we can deliver true transformation to become more sustainable more quickly and at a greater scale,” said Stian Amble, biology and quality advisor, Nova Sea.
Through SeaFurther Sustainability, Cargill is setting the goal to reduce the footprint of farmed salmon 30% by 2030. Today, feed represents up to 90% of a salmon’s environmental footprint. To reduce this climate impact and enable salmon farmers to provide consumers with sustainably raised seafood options, SeaFurther is focused on:
Sourcing — Cargill’s feed is designed to minimise the environmental footprint of aquaculture. We work closely with our suppliers to grow responsibly-sourced ingredients and supply chains while finding ways to reuse by-products, like fish trimmings that would normally be discarded, whenever we can. Together, we strive to identify and source novel ingredients that create even more sustainable feed, helping our customers and partners achieve our shared sustainability goals – and meet global consumer demand.
Maximising — Cargill knows aqua sustainability happens at the farmer level. Utilising its extensive aquaculture feed experience, Cargill helps farmers do more with less to increase efficiency and maximise production while decreasing their impact on the planet.
Caring — Consumers want to know how their protein was raised and animal welfare must be at the centre of any sustainability program. SeaFurther intends to safeguard farmed fish through nutrition solutions that protect and promote animal health, reducing the use of resources and the impact on the ocean at large.
While the company is starting with salmon, SeaFurther will expand, with an intent to add other species, like shrimp in the near future.
Protecting the oceans, from feed to transportation
SeaFurther joins a fleet of Cargill’s strategic partnerships, investments, research and technologies aimed at protecting oceans. Cargill is leading the way in reducing the environmental impact of global bulk shipping in line with the International Maritime Organization’s target to reduce decarbonise shipping by at least 50% by 2050.
“The health of the world’s salmon is ultimately linked to the health of our oceans,” said Jan Dieleman, president of Cargill’s Ocean Transportation business. “Large-scale carbon reduction requires commitment across the global supply chain and we are working with partners to develop solutions to reduce our impact on the environment. As one of the world's largest vessel charterers, Cargill continues its push to reduce emissions and raise industry standards.”
