Climate Positive

When greenhouse gas removals, internal and external, exceed its emissions. sometimes called “net negative” but race to Zero prefers the term “climate positive”

Carbon Zero

A company that produces no greenhouse gases emissions from its operations is qualified as carbon Zero. this is sometimes referred to as an Absolute Zero target.

Carbon Neutral

Some greenhouse gas emissions are generated but are offset elsewhere to make overall emissions balance zero.

Net Zero

A combination of reducing and offsetting carbon emissions gHg reductions follow science-based pathways, with any remaining gHg emissions being fully neutralized by like-for-like removals within the value chain or through purchase of valid offset credits.

Carbon Credits

Carbon credits are measurable, verifiable emission reductions from certified climate action projects, such as wind energy, biomass, or forest conservation. these projects reduce, remove or avoid greenhouse gas (gHg) emissions. An organisation can purchase a carbon credit, which allows them to emit a certain amount of carbon dioxide or other greenhouse gases. one credit permits the emission of a mass equal to one tonne of carbon dioxide.
At Muntons, we have committed ourselves to science-based targets. We believe we have taken the harder, more enduring route, of looking within our own business for real opportunities to make innovative and continuing improvements. This is an extensive process, but in doing so, our high standards are externally verified, providing us with a clear route to reducing our greenhouse gas emissions. Muntons target is to be Net Zero by 2050 at the latest although some parts of our supply chain may be able to claim a target of climate positive e.g. carbon negative barley and climate positive nitrogen fertilizers within the next 5 years.

Science-based Targets

These are the globally accepted standard for companies setting their carbon reduction goals. targets are considered science-based if they align with the objectives set out by the paris Agreement. this treaty, which came into place in 2015 and was signed by almost 200 countries, has the aim to limit global warming to below 1.5°c – 2°c, from pre- industrial levels.

A science-based target has to be set with a start date no further than 5 years back and with a 15 year window. globally manufacturing requires an almost 80% reduction in emissions from 2010-2050. muntons was recognised as having taken early action to reduce prior our base year of 2010 hence our target was ratified as being 45% reduction in scope 1 and 2 emissions and a voluntary reduction in scope 3 of 30%.
As a basic rule, it is recommended that companies start on the continual reduction of their own emissions, with offsetting used only to counter the balance. Only then will a commitment to climate change reduction be truly credible.

Carbon Footprint Scope Breakdown

Carbon footprint is the impact of these six gasses in
different parts of the supply chain, broken down into three scopes:

Carbon Footprint

The amount of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere because of the activities of a particular individual, organisation, or community. carbon footprint is a generalised term that converts all six greenhouse gasses (carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons, and sulphur hexafluoride) into a co2 (carbon) equivalent value based on global warming potential (gWp). the gWp values for each of these gasses is shown in the table. Whilst methane potentially holds 28 times the heat of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere it is now known to persist for only short periods in the atmosphere hence its impact is much less than previously estimated.
For malting operations, most of the emissions impact are due to CO2 and N2O from combustion activities or the manufacture and use of nitrogen fertiliser on the grain we buy.

Carbon Footprint Scope Breakdown

Infographic* showing how the six gasses are emitted and how they contribute to the the carbon footprint by different parts of the supply chain.