On the back of the BioMar 2020 Sustainability Report, the company unveiled its 2030 Ambitions.
“We make a promise, to our planet and its people with a set of ambitious targets that will seek to aid in the restoration of our environment while enabling humanity to thrive. Two key areas are focused on the reduced impact of aquaculture feeds while the third will enable capacity building in our communities,” the company stated.
“Humanity has burdened our planet and pushed beyond planetary boundaries. We must strive beyond sustainability and innovate with solutions that restore the planet while supporting its people. That is why we are moving forward with this ambitious plan,” said Carlos Díaz, CEO at BioMar Group.
There are three key areas of Climate Action, Circular & Restorative and Enable People, although each category has several specific targets and objectives. The 2030 Ambitions are aligned with science-based solutions for restoration and the growth trajectory of the aquaculture industry for 2050.
BioMar is setting verifiable science-based targets through the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), with emission reduction targets in line with a 1.5°C future, ensuring BioMar will achieve net zero no later than 2050. Aquaculture feed represents a significant proportion of the carbon footprint of farmed seafood. The company’s ambition is to reduce the carbon footprint per ton of feed produced by one-third by 2030, with a 2020 baseline.
BioMar commits to 50% of raw materials being Circular & Restorative for both planet and people by 2030. This will be achieved through innovation and sustainable sourcing with industry partners and will likely redefine traditional aquaculture feed ingredients.
There is an increased emphasis on people from employees and local communities to the extended supplier network. The Enable People category will focus on capacity building by committing to enable 100,000 people annually by 2030. These initiatives are designed to have a far-reaching effect across the world and will support the building of resilient societies.
“These new ambitions are intended to positively impact the environmental and social footprint of our feeds. Our farmers will directly benefit through these initiatives, for example, with an additional reduction in their own on-farm carbon footprint,” said Vidar Gundersen, Global Sustainability director at BioMar Group.
In 2015, BioMar Group launched its first-ever global sustainability improvement program set for five years. The 2020 Sustainability Report concludes on this KPI program and of the 13 ambitious targets set, the company hits the mark on nine. This work laid the foundation from which the new 2030 Ambitions have been built.
“We believe in transparency and even though some KPIs might seem too ambitious, we strive to aim high and disclose what we have and have not achieved. We believe in the sustainable future of the aquaculture industry and look forward to continuing to drive change,” concluded Díaz.
Check out BioMar’s 2020 Sustainability Report here.