BANGKOK — Thai Union Group PCL, a global seafood producer and owner of premium pet food subsidiary i-Tail Corporation PCL, has published its 2023 Sustainability Report. The report outlines the company’s sustainability goals and highlights the progress toward goals in its SeaChange® 2030 sustainability initiative.
“Thai Union’s commitment to sustainability is stronger than ever, and the progress we have made in 2023 is a testament to our dedication to leading positive change within the seafood industry,” said Thiraphong Chansiri, chief executive officer of Thai Union Group.
SeaChange 2030 supports the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs). The company’s goals include:
- Reducing Scope 1, 2 and 3 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions 42% by 2030 and achieving net zero by 2050
- Investing THB 250 million (more than $7 million USD) toward the protection and restoration of critical ecosystems
- Implementing zero water discharge, zero waste to landfill and zero food loss at its five key global facilities by 2030
- Ensuring 100% of Thai Union’s shrimp is produced minimizing ecosystem impact
- Extending its responsible wild-caught sourcing program to all key species
- Providing a safe, equitable and decent workplace
“Our SeaChange 2030 strategy not only sets ambitious goals but also lays a clear path toward achieving them,” Chansiri said. “We have a lot of work ahead of us, but I am proud of the strides we have made and remain deeply committed to driving further improvements not just across our operations but the industry around the world.”
Some of Thai Union’s 2023 achievements include:
- Reducing GHG emissions for Scope 1 and 2 by 8.8% from 2022 to 2023
- Increasing the percentage of tuna purchased from vessels equipped with electronic monitoring and/or human observers to 90% from a 71% baseline in 2021
- Sourcing 85% of its total tuna volume from fisheries that are either Marine Stewardship Council (MSC)-certified, in MSC assessment, or in a credible Fishery Improvement Program
- Becoming a signatory to two global environmental initiatives — Ocean Breakthroughs and Transforming our Food Systems
- Launching the Shrimp Decarbonization initiative, developed with The Nature Conservancy (TNC) and Ahold Delhaize USA, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions
- Publishing its Human Rights Risk Assessment and updated Human Rights Policy
“Each year, we push the boundaries of our industry in sustainability, and 2023 was no exception,” said Adam Brennan, chief sustainability officer at Thai Union. “The advancements detailed in our latest Sustainability Report reflect our ongoing efforts to protect our oceans, support our communities, and ensure the long-term viability of our business. With SeaChange 2030, we are well-positioned to continue this critical work and inspire others to join us in these efforts.”
Thai Union Group was recognized in 2023 for the 10th straight year on the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices (DJSI) and ranked No. 1 on the Seafood Stewardship Index for the third consecutive time for working toward UN SDGs. In early 2024, the Group achieved a B rating from global environmental disclosure non-profit CDP for its commitment in addressing climate change threats.
Read the full sustainability report here.
Read more about sustainability efforts across the pet food and treat industry.