Plant-level program drives 20% poultry emission reduction

 

The strategy incorporates input from engineering, procurement and operations teams on the plant-level into a producer’s sustainability goals.

Engaging plant-level operations on emission reduction strategies, rather than relying on top-down corporate direction, can be an effective way to help poultry companies achieve their sustainability goals, explained JBS U.S. Senior Director of Sustainable Food Systems Sarah Fox.

The strategy, implemented through a new sustainability program, has helped specific Pilgrim's Pride facilities achieve a 20% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, Fox said at the 2025 Chicken Marketing Summit.

According to Fox, the program has generated more than 130 GHG emission reduction projects by incorporating plant managers and operations staff directly into sustainability planning. The program currently achieves 14.2% renewable energy usage while targeting a 30% emission reduction and 60% renewable electricity by 2030.

Rather than purchasing carbon offsets to meet targets, the strategy helps producers focus on controllable emission sources at their production facilities, she said.

The approach differs from standard corporate sustainability programs, Fox continued, which typically deliver goals from executive leadership to operations without input from plant-level employees. The program can also help producers align sustainability goals with operational efficiency objectives.

Sustainability-linked bonds
Sustainability-linked bonds (SLB) provide funding for the program's capital investments and fund Scope 1 and 2 emission reduction projects. SLBs are designed to help companies to improve their sustainability practices by linking the bond's financial terms to the achievement of specific environmental, social and governance (ESG) targets.

However, if the company does not meet its environmental targets, it could face financial penalties.

According to Fox, the program structure ties sustainability key performance indicators (KPI) to executive compensation and bonuses from plant level through corporate management. Additionally, in monthly sustainability committee meetings, progress is tracked against specific targets for electricity reduction, natural gas usage and water consumption.

Attend the 2026 Chicken Marketing Summit
The 2026 Chicken Marketing Summit will be held at the Innisbrook Resort in Palm Harbor, Florida, on July 27-29, 2026. Serving a unique cross-section of the chicken supply chain, the Chicken Marketing Summit explores issues and trends in food marketing and consumer chicken consumption patterns and purchasing behavior. 

Registration will open in Spring 2026.