The REP Wrap: Tyson agrees not to make net zero claims
Your weekly summary of corporate sustainability news.
Campaigners have reached a legal settlement with US meat giant Tyson Foods over its promises to reach net zero by 2050 and sell ‘climate-smart’ beef. The Environmental Working Group alleged Tyson’s claims weren’t backed by sufficient actions to make them credible, and Tyson has now agreed not to make them for the next five years. Under the settlement, it must refrain from introducing similar claims, unless they’re backed by expert analysis and verified facts. Last week, the US arm of Brazilian meat firm JBS reached a settlement with New York’s attorney general over allegations it misled the public about its commitment to reduce its carbon footprint.
Bayer has joined the Sustainable Aviation Buyers Alliance, citing the potential for the firm’s plant-breeding business to contribute to low-carbon biofuels. The initiative was founded in 2021 by major airlines including Amazon Air, JetBlue and United Airlines. Its mission is to promote the adoption of sustainable fuel alternatives in the industry.
In an assessment of 53 major companies, just five claimed to have any deforestation-free commodity supply chains. A report from US non-profit Ceres said Danone and Nestlé were among the leaders, with both reporting that their palm oil, soy, timber, and paper and pulp was more than 95% “deforestation- and conversion-free”.
Most corporate rhetoric about the “just transition” – the notion that the shift to a low-carbon economy must not come at the expense of people’s jobs or living standards – is not meaningful, according to think-tank InfluenceMap. Its latest analysis concluded that 29% of references made between 2022 and 2024 were just “name dropping”, while another 40% were too high level. Out of the 1500+ mentions, just 20% deemed meaningful.
Nearly half of UK businesses have cut back or delayed sustainability initiatives because of cost-cutting measures over the past year, according to a poll of 300 firms by software firm Ivalua.