Climate Change Data

Green Plains Inc.

Climate Impact & Sustainability Data (2022, 2023)

Reporting Period: 2022

Environmental Metrics

Total Carbon Emissions:48.3 Million metric tons of CO2 reduction (estimated)

ESG Focus Areas

  • Decarbonization
  • Sustainable Ingredients
  • Corporate Governance

Environmental Achievements

  • 48.3 Million metric tons of carbon reduction to date (estimated CO2 amount kept out of the atmosphere due to Green Plains-produced low-carbon fuel between 2007 and 2022)
  • 100% of corn purchased from non-deforested, US-domestic sources
  • Plant modernization and upgrade program resulting in reductions in natural gas, electricity and water usage, decreasing carbon footprint.

Social Achievements

  • Expanded protein sales to customers in North America, South America and Asia Pacific
  • Commitment to increasing diversity and fostering an inclusive work environment
  • Robust safety program constantly evaluating safety protocols

Governance Achievements

  • Shareholder proposal passed overwhelmingly to declassify the Board of Directors, enhancing shareholder rights and demonstrating commitment to sound corporate governance practices

Climate Goals & Targets

Environmental Challenges

  • Commodity price volatility (corn, natural gas, ethanol, distillers grains, Ultra-High Protein, renewable corn oil)
  • Government mandates affecting ethanol (RFS, SREs, LCFS)
  • Competition in the ethanol industry (domestic and international)
  • Risks associated with acquisitions and partnerships
  • Climate change and environmental regulations
  • Supply chain disruptions
  • Cybersecurity threats
Mitigation Strategies
  • Variety of risk management tools and hedging strategies
  • Plant modernization and upgrades for efficiency improvements
  • Disciplined risk management approach
  • Technology integration (MSC™, CST™)
  • Strategic partnerships and joint ventures
  • Insurance policies
  • Cybersecurity measures (access controls, data encryption, employee training, etc.)

Supply Chain Management

Responsible Procurement
  • 100% of corn purchased from non-deforested, US-domestic sources

Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities

Physical Risks
  • Extreme weather
Transition Risks
  • Regulatory changes
  • Market shifts
Opportunities
  • Development of energy-efficient products
  • Carbon capture and sequestration
  • Synthetic methane production

Sustainable Products & Innovation

  • Ultra-High Protein
  • Dextrose
  • Renewable corn oil
  • Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF)

Reporting Period: 2023

Environmental Metrics

Total Carbon Emissions:3,915 thousand MT CO2e
Scope 1 Emissions:1,205 thousand MT CO2e
Scope 2 Emissions:366 thousand MT CO2e
Scope 3 Emissions:2,533 thousand MT CO2e
Renewable Energy Share:3% of total energy use
Total Energy Consumption:759 thousand MWh
Water Consumption:10,653 thousand cubic meters
Waste Generated:4.769 thousand metric tons (non-hazardous)
Carbon Intensity:0.533 MT CO2e/raw material MT (operational)

ESG Focus Areas

  • Climate Change and GHG Emissions
  • Energy Use and Efficiency
  • Water Management
  • Natural Capital and Land Stewardship
  • Waste Management and Compliance
  • Employee Health and Safety
  • Talent Management
  • Responsible Sourcing Program
  • Community Investment
  • Sustainability and Climate Change Governance
  • Ethics and Compliance
  • Product Safety and Quality
  • Supplier Social Assessment
  • Cybersecurity

Environmental Achievements

  • Reduced operational GHG emissions by 28% since 2018
  • Reduced operational GHG emissions intensity by 1% (vs. 2020)
  • Achieved a 2% reduction in Scopes 1 and 2 and an 11% reduction in Scope 3 GHG emissions over 2022
  • Reduced water intensity by 4% (vs. 2021)
  • Increased average renewable corn oil yield by 25% (vs. 2020), reaching a yield of 0.97 pounds per bushel
  • Reduced air permit deviations by 93% (vs. 2020)
  • Reduced natural gas intensity by 2% per year

Social Achievements

  • Achieved a 22% reduction in total recordable injury rate compared with the previous year
  • Achieved Food Safety System Certification 22000 at Shenandoah, Iowa, and Wood River, Nebraska, protein production facilities
  • Boosted wages by 13.5% in 2021 and continued to provide competitive wage increases in 2023
  • Implemented pre-employment behavioral assessments for core operations job candidates
  • Partnered with Hiring Our Heroes
  • Launched a more interactive and informative Careers page on our website
  • Expanded UKG Pro Learning course offerings to over 2,700 courses
  • Launched a role-based skill block training program

Governance Achievements

  • Appointment of an independent Board Chairman
  • Continued progress in board declassification process
  • Enhanced vendor screening program using watchlists and government data sources
  • All employees received updated training on Green Plains Code of Business Ethics and Conduct

Climate Goals & Targets

Long-term Goals:
  • Achieve 100% reduction in operational GHG emissions by 2050
Medium-term Goals:
  • Reduce absolute Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions by 37.8% by 2030
  • Reduce absolute Scope 3 GHG emissions by 22.5% by 2030
  • Achieve zero waste to landfill by 2030
  • 100% sustainably sourced primary feedstock by 2030
Short-term Goals:
  • Reduce water intensity by 10% by 2025
  • Reduce operational GHG emissions intensity by 16.5% by 2026
  • Reduce air permit deviations by 60% by 2025
  • Increase average renewable corn oil yield by 50% by 2025
  • Reduce OSHA total recordable incident rate by 35% by 2025

Environmental Challenges

  • Climate change impacts (extreme weather, droughts, flooding, supply chain disruptions)
  • Evolving legal landscape and compliance costs
  • Energy transition costs and market fluctuations
  • Industry scrutiny on food vs. fuel debate
  • Implementing backhaul program due to information privacy reasons
Mitigation Strategies
  • Enhanced climate risk strategy and management
  • Scenario analysis (2°C and BAU scenarios)
  • Investments in climate resilience (structural improvements)
  • Emergency Response Plans
  • Feedstock versatility (sorghum/milo, sugar beets)
  • Exploring combined heat and power, renewable natural gas, solar, and wind technologies
  • Collaboration with suppliers on sustainability goals
  • Optimizing trucking services and exploring backhaul programs

Supply Chain Management

Supplier Audits: Not disclosed

Responsible Procurement
  • Terms and Conditions binding suppliers to legal compliance
  • Code of Vendor Conduct
  • Human and Labor Rights Policy
  • Environmental Policy
  • Occupational Health & Safety Policy
  • Vendor screening program

Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities

Physical Risks
  • Flooding
  • Extreme weather
  • Fluctuations in seasonal temperatures
  • Droughts
  • Crop damage
Transition Risks
  • Evolving legal landscape
  • Energy transition costs
  • Market fluctuations
  • Industry scrutiny
Opportunities
  • Clean Fuel Production Credit under Inflation Reduction Act
  • Low-carbon biofuel demand
  • Sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) development
  • Potential cost decreases from increased double-cropping

Reporting Standards

Frameworks Used: GRI Standards (2021), SASB Biofuels Standard, TCFD framework, UN Sustainable Development Goals

Certifications: Food Safety System Certification 22000 (Shenandoah, Wood River), EcoVadis sustainability certification

Third-party Assurance: Apex Companies, LLC (limited assurance)

UN Sustainable Development Goals

  • Goal 2
  • Goal 4
  • Goal 6
  • Goal 7
  • Goal 8
  • Goal 9
  • Goal 12
  • Goal 13
  • Goal 14
  • Goal 15
  • Goal 16
  • Goal 17

Various initiatives contribute to these goals as detailed in the report.

Sustainable Products & Innovation

  • Clean Sugar Technology™ (CST™)
  • Maximized Stillage Co-Products™ (MSC™)
  • Ultra-High Protein
  • Renewable corn oil

Awards & Recognition

  • 2024 All-America Executive Team (Institutional Investor)
  • Newsweek and Statista top 500 Most Responsible Companies
  • Top 10 Impact Company (Real Leaders magazine)