Climate Change Data

A. Espersen A/S

Climate Impact & Sustainability Data (2023)

Reporting Period: 2023

Environmental Metrics

Total Carbon Emissions:371,980 tCO2e (location-based); 351,738 tCO2e (market-based)
Scope 1 Emissions:2,577 tCO2e
Scope 2 Emissions:4,913 tCO2e
Scope 3 Emissions:344,248 tCO2e
Renewable Energy Share:82% of electricity consumption
Total Energy Consumption:54,561,249.17 kWh
Water Consumption:803,782 m3
Waste Generated:14,918,008 kg
Carbon Intensity:104 tCO2e/million DKK sales in 2023

ESG Focus Areas

  • Net Positive Fishing
  • Resource Use
  • Worker Health and Welfare
  • Supply Chain Integrity

Environmental Achievements

  • Reduced total energy use by 6% compared with 2022 (54,561,249.17 kWh)
  • Reduced total water consumption by 12% to 803,782 m3
  • Reduced total waste by 22% to 14,918,008 kg
  • Reduced food waste by 13% to 3,537,672 kg
  • Reduced waste sent to landfill by 36% to 205,770 kg
  • Increased renewable electricity to 82%
  • Achieved formal approval for science-based targets

Social Achievements

  • Launched Fish Academy internal training platform
  • Employed over 500 Ukrainian workers
  • Developed employee app with over 1,000 users in Poland and Lithuania
  • 80% of employees expressed high satisfaction levels

Governance Achievements

  • 100% BRC-certified sites with minimum grade A
  • 100% SMETA-audited sites or equivalent customer-specific audit scheme
  • 96% of all sourced fish is certified against a GSSI-recognized scheme
  • 64% of suppliers are certified against a GFSI-approved standard
  • Introduced mandatory online training in cybersecurity awareness

Climate Goals & Targets

Long-term Goals:
  • Not disclosed
Medium-term Goals:
  • Reduce scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions by 42% by 2030
  • Reduce scope 3 GHG emissions by 52% per tonne of sold fish product by 2030
Short-term Goals:
  • Use 100% renewable energy at production plants by 2025
  • Increase pallet utilization to 90% by 2025
  • 100% mono-material packaging by 2025
  • 100% retail boxes without PE coating by 2025

Environmental Challenges

  • Supply chain disruptions
  • Climate change impacts on fish stocks
  • Fluctuations in energy and water prices
  • Higher fees for non-recyclable packaging
  • Increased accident frequency and severity in two production facilities
Mitigation Strategies
  • Developing alternative sourcing strategies
  • Supporting development of new technologies to improve fishing efficiency and reduce fuel use
  • Implementing energy efficiency measures
  • Promoting on-site renewable energy installations
  • Implementing a group-wide reporting and response procedure for workplace accidents
  • Investigating new methods for carcass utilization
  • Focusing on accident prevention in high-risk areas

Supply Chain Management

Supplier Audits: 14 audits in 2023

Responsible Procurement
  • Robust sustainability criteria
  • GFSI, GSSI, and SSCI standards
  • 100% traceability of fish raw material
  • Supplier approval process
  • Risk-based approach to supplier oversight

Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities

Physical Risks
  • Climate change impacts on fish stocks
Transition Risks
  • Fluctuations in energy and water prices
  • Higher fees for non-recyclable packaging
Opportunities
  • Development of energy-efficient products
  • Transition to renewable energy

Reporting Standards

Frameworks Used: GRI, ESRS

Certifications: MSC, ASC, GlobalG.A.P., BRC, SMETA, RSPO

Third-party Assurance: Not disclosed

UN Sustainable Development Goals

  • Goal 2
  • Goal 5
  • Goal 8
  • Goal 12
  • Goal 13
  • Goal 14

Espersen's sustainability strategy aligns with these SDGs through initiatives related to food security, gender equality, decent work, responsible consumption and production, climate action, and life below water.

Sustainable Products & Innovation

  • Not disclosed

Awards & Recognition

  • MSC Award: 2023 Best Supplier – frozen category
  • McDonald’s Supplier of the Year 2022 Award