Reducing our impact on the environment remains a priority. This includes closely monitoring carbon and water usage in our operations and implementing measures to reduce usage by 25% between 2022 and 2026.
Our Environmental and Climate Change Policy
Our Environmental and Climate Change Policy outlines our commitment to responsible environmental practices and continuous improvement. This policy includes initiatives to limit air pollution, use more environmentally friendly packaging, invest in renewable energy, and reduce water and energy usage.
Since the implementation of the policy in 2022, we have consistently achieved our environmental objectives. There is still a significant opportunity to further reduce food waste across the front and back end and lower energy consumption through energy efficiency initiatives.
This year, we invested in two additional solar energy projects in our distribution centres, and we intend to make further investments in solar energy.
Our environmental focus areas
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Carbon footprint report
Our footprint assessment methods are aligned with global standards. These methods enable us to make the necessary preparations for potential carbon tax requirements and also contribute to our efforts to operate as an environmentally responsible business.
While our operations are below the threshold for paying a carbon tax, all sites are registered for this tax with the South African Revenue Services. We conducted a detailed annual assessment of the Group’s carbon footprint for its Manufacturing and Logistics divisions and Company-owned restaurants. Famous Brands does not have equity in nor financial or operational control of franchised restaurants, and the franchise operations are not included in this assessment. This assessment focused on:
- Scope 1: Identifying and quantifying direct GHG emissions that will require reporting to the Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries and be liable for the carbon tax. Direct emissions include mobile fuel combustion (own fleet) and stationary fuel combustion (on-site equipment).
- Scope 2 and 3: Understanding the primary sources of indirect GHG emissions contributing to the Group’s overall carbon footprint. Indirect emissions include purchased electricity, water supply and waste disposal.
The Group’s total GHG emissions in 2024 by scope and division are detailed below.
Scope 1 – 37%
Mobile fuel combustion
Manufacturing: 102.88
Logistics: 5 386.91
Total: 5 489.79 tCO2e
Stationary fuel combustion
Manufacturing: 13 806.06
Logistics: 271.77
Total: 14 077.83 tCO2e
Scope 2 – 57%
Purchased electricity, heat and steam
Manufacturing: 23 746.33
Logistics: 6 807.25
Total: 30 553.58 tCO2e
Total Scope 2 emissions
Manufacturing: 23 746.33
Logistics: 6 807.25
Total: 30 553.58 tCO2e
Scope 3 – 6%
Purchased goods and services (water supply)
Manufacturing: 501.84
Logistics: 22.20
Total: 524.04 tCO2e
Waste generated in operations
Manufacturing: 283.89
Logistics: 140.63
Total: 424.52 tCO2e
Upstream transportation and distribution
Logistics: 2 277.85
Total: 2 277.85 tCO2e
Total Scope 1 emissions
Manufacturing: 13 908.94
Logistics: 5 658.68
Total: 19 567.62 tCO2e
Total Scope 1 + 2 emissions
Manufacturing: 37 655.2
Logistics: 12 465.93
Total: 50 121.20 tCO2e
Total Scope 3 emissions
Manufacturing: 785.73
Logistics: 2 440.68
Total: 3 226.41 tCO2e
All Scopes
Total Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions
Manufacturing: 38 441.00
Logistics: 14 906.61
Total: 53 347.61 tCO2e
Division Contribution (%)
Manufacturing
Logistics
Total
72
28
100
Energy and water usage
Load shedding was the key driver behind this year’s increase in diesel usage. While Famous Brands has invested in solar energy, generators are still needed to limit power supply constraints.
| * | Supplied from a third-party coal user. |
| ** | Our reported diesel consumption includes 779 kilolitres of diesel used by our owner-drivers. |
Total emissions across Scope 1, Scope 2 and Scope 3 in our Supply Chain increased by 2% year-on-year due to increased diesel usage during load shedding.
- Mobile fuel usage decreased by 26% vs PY, while stationary fuel increased by 22%. The increase in stationary fuel is attributed to the burning of diesel in our generators due to increased load shedding.
- Purchased electricity usage decreased by 4%.
- Water supply emissions decreased by 4%.
The waste generated in our operations was 782 tonnes, a mix of industrial and commercial waste, to landfill. Emissions related to waste decreased by 56% and were calculated at 425 metric tonnes of CO2e. We recycled 195 tonnes of waste material, including paper, plastics, metal, and glass. We composted 22 tonnes of organic waste material.
We have the following measures in place to reduce our emissions:
- A Group-wide utilities savings awareness programme and an employee awareness campaign to encourage environmentally responsible behaviour.
- Smart metering of electricity, water and key fuel usage tied to key performance indicators.
- Fuel-type conversion to lower carbon fuels wherever possible and an annual investment in solar plants.
- Close monitoring and evaluation of new generators as well as monitoring electricity usage by refrigerators.
- Cultivating potatoes closer to the Lamberts Bay Foods processing plant, reducing travel emissions.
- Enhancing plant efficiencies to produce more units per hour of plant time.
- Fleet route optimisation to reduce the number of trips required.
Focus areas for 2025
Using water wisely and reducing our overall carbon footprint continue to be our key focus areas. While progress has been made, there is still more work to be done. We have identified the following focus areas to reduce our carbon footprint further:
In 2025, we will invest in an additional 150 kW of renewable energy.
Ground and Green, our coffee grounds recycling initiative, will reuse 12 tonnes of coffee grounds.
Ensuring responsible electricity usage at our largest plants (The Meat Plant, Cater Chain, Lamberts Bay Foods and our Midrand Campus).
A planned water recycling project is under investigation at the Famous Brands Cheese Company.