Carbon emissions

It's time to stand up and tackle climate change!

The world is facing big challenges that all come from the exponential increase of greenhouse gas emissions in the atmosphere due to human activity.

Extreme weather conditions impacting on drinking water availability

mass extinction of animal and plant species…

How can we address this challenge?

Acting on climate change requires all of us to work together, at all levels: governments, businesses, communities and individuals.

Everybody can be part of the solution, and Symrise is highly committed to contribute with its low carbon transition strategy and we are proud to present here its main drivers.

But first, let us go back to the beginning of the story…

What is the issue with carbon emissions ?

First, let’s understand what a greenhouse gas phenomenon is

The greenhouse gas effect is a natural phenomenon that contributes to maintaining a habitable temperature on the Earth.

The main gases responsible for the greenhouse effect include carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), and water vapor.

When the sun's rays reach the earth...

1

2/3 of them are absorbed by the oceans, soil and trees

2

1/3 are reflected into the atmosphere in the form of infrared radiation.

3

Several gases in the atmosphere prevent part of this radiation from escaping into space and sending it back to Earth.

This greenhouse gas phenomenon heats the Earth up to reach a temperature of 15°C , which enables life on earth.

Without this greenhouse effect, the temperature on Earth would be on average -18°C

Carbon dioxide (CO2) is one of the gases that generates the higher greenhouse effects.

There is a fine balance between the carbon used by plants on Earth and microplanktons in the oceans, and its natural release by life activity in the atmosphere.

Over a very long period, unused carbon has accumulated as natural, fossilized carbon in the deep layers of earth.

So what’s wrong ?

In the last century, the intensive human activity linked to the industrial era and consequent need for energy has resulted in massive use of those fossil carbon reservoirs, known as fossil fuels (oil, coal, gas, ...) while promoting intensive agriculture and landfill.

These cause a huge increase of C02 and methane emissions in the atmosphere that unbalances everything.

Meanwhile, deforestation and urbanization don’t allow soil and trees to absorb the C02 surplus. And as part of global warming, the oceans are also becoming warmer, making it more difficult for C02 to dissolve in the seas.

As a result, less C02 is absorbed, contributing to an increase in gas in the atmosphere.

With more of these gases, CO2, but also methane in the atmosphere, more radiation into the atmosphere is blocked. As a result, the earth heats up more and more.

co emissions of co2 per capita

Keep in mind that, very molecule of CO2 sent today in the atmosphere will have it's warming effect for the next 100 years!

Today in 2022, the average earth temperature has already increased by + 1,2°c

This disturbs everything !

How is the world tackling the issue ?

It’s time to ACT

two main actions need to be taken simultaneously

Reduce gas emissions

Adapt to the current effects by preserving people, biodiversity and heritage sites.

This is the purpose of the 2015 Paris agreement.

A turning point in governments’ awareness

What’s happened there ?

During this key summit, 196 countries committed to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions in order to limit global warming to 1.5°C by 2100, instead of an increase of 3 to 5°C or more if nothing is done, and to work towards a zero net carbon society.

The world strategy consists of defining fair contributions for greenhouse gas reductions according to what each country currently emits and has emitted in the past.

It will also vary a lot according to the industry and the energy used in each country:

As an example, to produce electricity, burning coal emits:

as much C02 as gas

more than hydro, nuclear or wind power.

gas-fired power station

coal-fired power station

nuclear power station

Then, each country commits to a global warming limitation action plan with a timeline and a target amount of carbon reduction by 2050, in order to be able to reach a balance between remaining emissions and carbon sequestration ability (net 0 carbon).

5
years

They come together every 5 years to assess the collective progress towards this and enhance actions if needed.

What about companies' accountabilities ?

As part of society, companies are highly accountable for participation in governmental pledges toward Climate Actions and consequently putting in place their own action plans.
They have to establish reduction targets for 2050 with corresponding low carbon trajectories.

As for all companies, greenhouse gas emissions from pet food industries are classified under three scopes.
Scope 1

Direct emissions from production sites (gas, oil…)

Scope 2

Indirect emissions from production of purchased energy (gas, oil…)

Scope 3

Indirect emissions in the whole value chain

Did you know?
1 ton of dry dog pet food generates 2 tons CO2eq
We would need a forest bigger than Germany to capture all worldwide CO2e emissions from pet food industry!

Here is what greenhouse gas emissions look like for Symrise Pet Food:

SUPPLIERS
and their suppliers
SLAUGHTERHOUSES & BREAKERS, GRADERS, HATCHERIES INGREDIENTS SUPPLIERS

ENERGY SUPPLIERS
Indirect

SYMRISE PET FOOD FACTORIES
Direct

CUSTOMERS
and their customers
PET FOOD MANUFACTURERS PET SHOPS PET OWNERS

Greenhouse gas emissions from Symrise Pet Food represents 800 000 tons of CO2eq per year

Scope 1 Scope 2 10 to 15%* Scope 3 85 to 90%*
(*) According to Greenhouse gas assessment of the three main Symrise Pet Food sites, in Elven (France), Descalvado (Brazil) and Hodges (USA)

What is our contribution as a company?

In line with Symrise objectives, Symrise Pet Food is committed to

Be carbon neutral
(0 CO2 net emission)
from scope 1 &scope 2 by 2030*

(*) vs 2020

Reduce by 30% the CO2eq emissions from scope 3 by 2030*

This target will enable us to be compliant with the Paris Agreement, and more specifically, the scenario of +1.5°c global warming.

To achieve our commitments, we will address the 3 scopes as a whole, with a regional strategy involving all departments.

This is the Low Carbon Program that aims to measure and define the targets and then take action!

Many initiatives have already been put in place !

We need you to pursue this goal as we are all part of the same ecosystem!

AS CUSTOMERS

challenging us and being open to new ideas.
This might be our future!

AS EMPLOYEES

keep suggesting new improvements to reduce our CO2 emissions, whatever your job role.
We can all contribute!

AS SUPPLIERS

pursuing and sharing your initiatives.
They will benefit all!

We are all participants on this journey.
Let's all join in !

We would be happy to show you the way!

Contact us