Pepsico Sets new Goal to cut Carbon Emissions by More Than 40% by 2030

Pepsico has set an ambitious new goal to cut carbon emissions by more than 40% by 2030 – more than doubling its previous climate objective.

Climate action can’t wait. Today we’re more than doubling our climate goal and pledging net-zero emissions by 2040, ten years ahead of the Paris Agreement target. Learn more here: https://t.co/JDxtyOzVFn #ClimateAmbition pic.twitter.com/KinrZUSgPv

— PepsiCo (@PepsiCo) January 14, 2021

In the face of an escalating climate crisis, Pepsico has unveiled an ambitious new goal to cut carbon emissions by more than 40 percent by 2030 (against a 2015 baseline) — more than doubling the previous climate objective. This is expected to result in the reduction of over 26 million metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions — the equivalent of taking five million-plus cars off the road for a full year.

“The severe impacts from climate change are worsening, and we must accelerate the urgent systemic changes needed to address it,” said PepsiCo Chairman and CEO Ramon Laguarta. Moving up the company’s timeline is crucial, considering the dire consequences of waiting. “There is simply no other option but immediate and aggressive action,” Laguarta added.

The company’s goal is to achieve net-zero emissions by 2040, one full decade earlier than called for in the Paris Agreement.

“It’s long overdue that companies move beyond just minimizing their environmental impact,” says Jim Andrew, PepsiCo Chief Sustainability Officer. “They must actively work to improve and regenerate the planet.”

The firm is advancing zero and near-zero emission technologies, utilizing electric and natural gas power in warehousing, transportation and distribution facilities, which is modeled after the electric fleet and solar-powered buildings at the Frito-Lay North America site in Modesto, CA.

In 2020, PepsiCo achieved its goal to source 100 percent renewable electricity for its operations in the US. More than 400 solar panels help power the Quaker plant in Rotterdam, Netherlands. Installation of a single windmill at the Tropicana plant in Zeebrugge, Belgium will generate approximately 40 percent of that site’s total electricity consumption. Wind projects in Texas and Nebraska break ground this year, and by the end of 2021, 15 countries in PepsiCo’s direct operations will be fully sourcing renewable electricity. This means that more than 60 percent of all of the company’s direct global electricity needs will be met through renewable sources.

“Climate action is core to our business as a global food and beverage leader,” added Laguarta, “and propels our PepsiCo Positive journey to deliver positive outcomes for the planet and people.”