Climate Change Data

Elders Limited

Climate Impact & Sustainability Data (2022-10 to 2023-09)

Reporting Period: 2022-10 to 2023-09

Environmental Metrics

Total Carbon Emissions:59,551 tCO2e/year (Scope 1 and 2)
Scope 1 Emissions:38,786 tCO2e/year
Scope 2 Emissions:20,765 tCO2e/year
Scope 3 Emissions:618 tCO2e/year (business travel)
Renewable Energy Share:100% (Australian sites)
Total Energy Consumption:322,582 GJ/year
Water Consumption:808 ML/year (Killara Feedlot)
Waste Generated:Data incomplete, but increased recycling and landfill waste compared to last year
Carbon Intensity:17.93 tCO2e/$m revenue

ESG Focus Areas

  • Health and Safety
  • Sustainable Farming
  • Employee attraction and retention
  • Climate Change
  • Animal Welfare
  • Corporate Governance
  • Community Impact and Investment
  • Waste Management

Environmental Achievements

  • Achieved 100% renewable electricity in all Australian sites through on-site solar generation and procurement of Large-scale Generation Certificates (LGCs)
  • 30 new solar panel installations added
  • Scope 1 and 2 emissions decreased by 5,221 tCO2e from 2022, primarily due to a decrease in cattle numbers at Killara Feedlot
  • 46,000+ agricultural chemical containers collected for reuse or recycling
  • 2.18t bags collected for recycling

Social Achievements

  • Reduced Lost Time Injuries (LTIs) to three, compared to six in FY22
  • Reduced Total Recordable Injury Frequency Rate (TRIFR) from 12.6 in FY22 to 10.1 in FY23
  • Organised resilience training sessions and a national staff step challenge with over 630 participants
  • $3.33 million channeled into sponsorships and donations, including $1.42 million to local communities and $1.52 million to the agriculture industry and innovation
  • $38,000 raised through matched employee Give It program
  • Staff Foundation disbursed over $57,000 to support staff members

Governance Achievements

  • Launched Thomas Elder Sustainable Agriculture (TESA) to increase impact in sustainable agriculture and innovation
  • Launched Eight Point Plan reaffirming sustainability as a strategic priority
  • Launched Sustainability Framework to lead sustainability and productivity
  • Implemented updated Safe Livestock Handling and Animal Welfare Policy and Procedure
  • Implemented new Destruction of Livestock Policy and Procedure

Climate Goals & Targets

Long-term Goals:
  • Net zero Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2050
Medium-term Goals:
  • 50% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 emissions intensity (tCO2e/$m revenue) by 2030
Short-term Goals:
  • Review and optimise on-site waste reuse, recycling and management
  • Enhance systems to support performance monitoring
  • Engage with suppliers to improve packaging sustainability

Environmental Challenges

  • Supply chain disruptions due to severe weather events (e.g., flooding in Western Australia's Kimberley region)
  • Climate change impacts on crop yields, livestock production, and water availability
  • Transitional risks from policy and legal changes, market shifts, and reputational concerns
  • Managing waste and recycling across geographically diverse operations
  • Reducing emissions from fleet vehicles and feedlot cattle
Mitigation Strategies
  • Developed alternative sourcing strategies
  • Implemented emissions reduction targets and strategies
  • Diversified product and service offerings
  • Implemented waste management strategy with 2025 ambitions
  • Exploring options for decarbonising fleet (hybrid and electric vehicles)
  • Partnering with industry on technology to reduce cattle emissions
  • Implementing nature-based solutions to reduce emissions

Supply Chain Management

Supplier Audits: 5 site audits completed in the reporting period

Responsible Procurement
  • Ethical Contracting Framework
  • Responsible Sourcing Code

Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities

Physical Risks
  • Acute: Severe weather events (tropical storms, cyclones)
  • Chronic: Changes in rainfall, temperature, and increased frequency of extreme heat days
  • Chronic: Water scarcity
Transition Risks
  • Policy & Legal: Changes in climate policy and carbon charges
  • Market: Shifting consumer preferences towards ‘green’ products
  • Reputation: Delayed or lack of innovation in meeting emissions targets
Opportunities
  • Resource efficiency: Improved water use efficiency
  • Products/Services: Development of climate-resilient plant varieties and feed supplements
  • Markets: Increased demand for sustainable farming practices and products
  • Resilience: Diversification of product range and geographic footprint

Reporting Standards

Frameworks Used: GRI Standards, TCFD Recommendations, UN Sustainable Development Goals

Certifications: National Feedlot Accreditation Scheme, Livestock Production Assurance, Meat Standards Australia, European Union Cattle Accreditation Scheme – High Quality Beef

Third-party Assurance: Ernst & Young (limited assurance)

UN Sustainable Development Goals

  • Goal 2 (Zero Hunger)
  • Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-being)
  • Goal 5 (Gender Equality)
  • Goal 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy)
  • Goal 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth)
  • Goal 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure)
  • Goal 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production)
  • Goal 13 (Climate Action)

Elders' initiatives contribute to these goals through sustainable farming practices, employee well-being programs, renewable energy use, ethical operations, community investment, and climate change mitigation and adaptation

Sustainable Products & Innovation

  • Climate-resilient plant varieties
  • Feed supplements to reduce methane emissions

Awards & Recognition

  • Not disclosed