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We’re a

Carbon Neutral Company

We’re committed to meaningful action to protect our planet. We are a carbon neutral company and we have set bold, science-based targets approved by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) to continue reducing our carbon footprint.

Becoming the world’s first major carbon neutral food company was a big step in our fight against climate change.

How we became carbon neutral

It all started with a sustainability commitment to reduce our environmental footprint. When we realized that wasn’t enough, we decided to become the world’s first major carbon neutral food company. Here’s our carbon neutral story.

What exactly does carbon neutral mean?

For Maple Leaf Foods, carbon neutral means that we do everything in our power to avoid or reduce our emissions on our own, and any currently unavoidable emissions that we put into the atmosphere are then equally balanced out by the amount that our offset projects take out of the atmosphere.

In 2024, Maple Leaf Foods celebrated fve years as the first major carbon neutral food company in the world. Our carbon management strategy to maintain carbon neutrality involves prioritizing the avoidance and reductions of our greenhouse gas emissions and for the remaining and currently unavoidable emissions, purchasing high-quality, verified carbon offsets against our rigorous policies and principles to neutralize our emissions. We have neutralized all our remaining Scope 1 & 2 emissions and 6.9% our Scope 3 emissions. The Scope 3 emissions in our offset program include supplier emissions arising from plant-based ingredients, external purchased primary meats, owned hogs grown by third-party producers, third party contracted hog and poultry producers and feed equivalent with the product volumes of key brands that display our “Carbon Zero – Made by a Carbon Neutral Company™” logo.

It is of utmost importance to us to first and foremost reduce our emissions on our own. That is why we have set science-based targets aligned with the goals of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change and approved by the SBTi to reduce our absolute Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 30% by 2030 against a 2018 base year and the intensity (per tonne of product produced) of our Scope 3 GHG emissions by 30% by 2030 against a 2018 base year.

View our carbon inventory20 Mb

What are science-based targets?

We were the first food company in Canada to set science-based targets aligned with the goals of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change and approved by the Science Based Target initiative (SBTi). In 2019, we pledged to reduce our absolute Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) by 30% by 2030 against a 2018 base year and the intensity (per tonne of product produced) of our Scope 3 GHG emissions by 30% by 2030 against a 2018 base year.

We have ramped up our efforts and have seen advancements in our environmental performance over the last few years. We have made good progress against our emissions targets: a 5.1% reduction in absolute Scope 1 and 2 emissions and a 15.6% reduction in Scope 3 emissions intensity since 2018 base year. These reductions are a result of a number of initiatives, including, increasing the Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) we purchase to offset our electricity emissions, reductions in our external beef purchases, lower emissions associated with our third-party contracted hogs and external hog purchases, and lower capital expenditure due to the completion of constructing our London Poultry facility.

While we are in the process of enhancing our environmental target strategy and decarbonization roadmap within our facilities and in our supply chain, we continue to implement and make progress against the following initiatives:

  • Equipment efficiency and optimization upgrades
  • Ammonia heat recovery and wasted heat recovery systems
  • Condensing economizers for boilers
  • Composting and recycling programs, and waste conversion technologies
  • Control measures and closed-loop systems for water use • improvements to storage, handling and employee training to reduce food waste
  • Anaerobic digestion (exploration phase)
  • Regenerative agriculture
  • Supplier engagement
  • Offsetting 100% of our Scope 1 & 2 emissions* and 5.2% of our Scope 3 emissions
    *We use RECs to offset 100% of the electric power generated from carbon emitting sources.

We support carbon offset projects

We supported 19 high-impact environmental carbon offset projects across North America that help us neutralize our remaining, unavoidable emissions in 2024.

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  • Indigo U.S. Project No. 1

    Project Owner: Indigo Ag
    Project Identification number: CAR1459
    Location: USA
    Technology type: Regenerative agriculture
    Emissions impact: Reduction/Removal
    Certification: Climate Action Reserve
    Project Validator/ Verifier: DAster Global Environmental Solutions
    Protocol Version: Soil Enrichment Protocol, Version 1.1

    Indigo Ag helps farmers sustainably feed the planet. Companies can purchase verified carbon credits that reward individual farmers for adopting regenerative agriculture practices that lead to reductions or removals of carbon.

  • A-Gas Refrigerant Reclamation Project

    Project Owner: A-Gas US Inc
    Project Identification number: ACR 678, ACR773, ACR775
    Location: Texas, USA/ Ohio, USA
    Technology type: HFC replacement
    Emissions impact: Avoidance
    Certification: American Carbon Registry
    Project Validator/ Verifier: First Environment, Inc.
    Protocol Version: American Carbon Registry Standard Version 7.0

    The A-Gas Refrigerant Reclamation Project represents a strategic approach to environmental sustainability in the refrigerant industry. This initiative focuses on the recovery, reclamation, and resale of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) from a variety of refrigeration and air conditioning systems across the United States. Targeting common refrigerants such as R-134a, R-404a, R-407a, R-407c, and R-410a, the project processes these materials at an EPA-certified facility for resale, aiming to reduce the need for virgin HFC production and, consequently, greenhouse gas emissions.

  • BNW Ranch

    Project Proponent: Climate Trust Capital Fund I LP / The Nature Conservancy
    Project Identification number: CAR1284
    Location: Oregon, USA
    Technology type: Avoided Grassland Conversion
    Emissions impact: Avoidance
    Certification: Climate Action Reserve
    Project Validator/ Verifier: SCS Global Services
    Protocol Version: Reserve’s Grassland Project Protocol Version 2.1

    The BNW Ranch project area is estimated to be 4098 acres. This property was identified as a priority for

    conservation because of its habitat value and threat of conversion to crop production. TNC intends to place a no-till conservation easement on the property.

  • BNW East

    Project Proponent: Climate Trust Capital Fund I LP / The Nature Conservancy
    Project Identification number: CAR1260
    Location: Oregon, USA
    Technology type: Avoided Grassland Conversion
    Emissions impact: Avoidance
    Certification: Climate Action Reserve Project Validator/ Verifier: SCS Global Services
    Project Validator/ Verifier: SCS Global Services
    Protocol Version: Reserve’s Grassland Project Protocol Version 2.1

    The BNW Ranch project area is estimated to be 4098 acres. This property was identified as a priority for conservation because of its habitat value and threat of conversion to crop production. TNC intends to place a no-till conservation easement on the property.

  • Cedar Grove – Maple Valley OWC Composting Project

    Project Developer/ Owner: ClimeCo LLC
    Project Identification number: CAR866
    Location: Washington, USA
    Technology type: Organic Waste Composting
    Emissions impact: Avoidance
    Certification: Climate Action Reserve
    Project Validator/ Verifier: Agri-Waste Technology, Inc
    Protocol Version: : U.S. Organic Waste Composting Project Protocol Version 1.1

    The project consists of the diversion of one or more eligible organic residuals, including residential and commercial food waste, to an aerobic composting facility where the residuals are composted in a system that complies with Best Management Practices that ensure the composting process is operated under optimal conditions. The project will encompass organic residual handling, pre-processing and aerobic composting at the Everett facility in Everett, WA, operated by Cedar Grove Composting. The technology employed at this facility is the GORE Cover System and ASP Negative Aeration.

  • Rochelle Municipal Landfill Ga

    Project Developer/ Owner: Anew Environmental, LLC
    Project Identification number: CAR1372
    Location: Illinois, USA
    Technology type: Landfill Gas
    Emissions impact: Reduction
    Certification: Climate Action Reserve
    Project Validator/ Verifier: First Environment, Inc.
    Protocol Version: CAR Protocol

    This project voluntarily captures and destroys methane from the landfill through a combination of gas wells, conveyance piping, and condensate removal equipment. The combined process destroys gas at either an open flare or an energy generation facility.

  • Adirondack Farms

    Project Developer/ Owner: Camco Offsets I, LLC
    Project Identification number: CAR 1298
    Location: New York, US
    Technology type: Livestock – ARB Compliance
    Emissions impact: Reduction
    Certification: Climate Action Reserve
    Project Validator/ Verifier: Agri-Waste Technology, Inc.
    Protocol Version: Compliance Offset Protocol Livestock Projects

    The Adirondack Farms Livestock Project is a complete mix digester and biogas capture system that was built to capture the biogas from dairy manure, which would have been stored in an uncovered anaerobic lagoon prior to project implementation. The biogas that is captured from the digester system is used to generate electricity through one generator. Any excess biogas not combusted by the gen-set is combusted in an enclosed flare. Biogas produced by the digester is monitored continuously using biogas flowmeters.

  • Woodcrest Dairy Digester

    Project Developer: Camco Offsets I, LLC
    Project Identification number: CAR 1246
    Location: New York, US
    Technology type: Livestock – ARB Compliance
    Emissions impact: Reduction
    Certification:Climate Action Reserve
    Project Validator/ Verifier: Agri-Waste Technology, Inc.
    Protocol Version: Compliance Offset Protocol Livestock Projects

    The Woodcrest Dairy Digester Project is an in-ground complete mix digester system that was built to capture the biogas from dairy manure, which would have been stored in an uncovered anaerobic lagoon prior to project implementation. The biogas that is captured from the digester system is used to generate electricity through one generator. Any excess biogas not combusted by the gen-set is combusted in an open flare. Biogas produced by the digester is monitored continuously using thermal mass flowmeters.

  • Johnston County Landfill Project

    Project Developer: Anew Environmental, LLC
    Project Identification number: CAR 880
    Location: North Carolina, US
    Technology type: Landfill Gas Capture/Combustion
    Emissions impact: Reduction
    Certification: Climate Action Reserve
    Project Validator/ Verifier: TÜV SÜD America Inc.
    Protocol Version: Climate Action Reserve (Reserve) US Landfill Project Protocol Version 6.0

    The project involves the development of a landfill gas collection and control system and future beneficial use project at the Landfill. In particular, vertical extraction wells will be installed in Phases 3, 4, 4a and 5 of the Landfill and an open flare will be installed to destruct the gas. It is anticipated that the wellfield will be expanded and a landfill gas to energy project will be implemented in the future.

  • Dalton-Whitfield Landfill Project

    Project Developer: Dalton-Whitfield Regional Solid Waste Management Authority
    Project Identification number: CAR 466
    Location: Georgia, US
    Technology type:Landfill Gas Capture/Combustion
    Emissions impact: Avoidance
    Certification: Climate Action Reserve
    Project Validator/ Verifier: ATÜV SÜD America Inc.
    Protocol Version: Climate Action Reserve (Reserve) Landfill Project Protocol Version 6.0

    The Authority developed and operates a landfill gas to energy project in keeping with its goal of financial and environmental sustainability, rather than in response to a regulatory requirement. The Authority collects, compresses, dehydrates and transports landfill gas (LFG) to a Dow Chemical facility boiler two miles from the landfill to offset the industry’s use of natural gas, a nonrenewable fossil fuel. Landfill gas not used by the boiler is destroyed using a candlestick flare.

  • Hernando County Landfill Electric Generation

    Project Developer: : Timberline Energy, LLC
    Project Identification number: CAR 422
    Location: Florida, US
    Technology type: Landfill Gas Capture/Combustion
    Emissions impact: Reduction
    Certification: Climate Action Reserve
    Project Validator/ Verifier:SCS Global Services
    Protocol Version: Reserve’s U.S. Landfill [type of project] Project Protocol Version 5.0

    The project voluntarily collects landfill gas from the Hernando County Northwest Landfill. The landfill gas is used to operate a CAT 3520 electric generator which produces 1,600 kw. Excess gas from the landfill is burned in a flare.

  • New River Landfill Gas Methane Destruction Project

    Project Developer: New River Resource Authority
    Project Identification number: CAR 560
    Location: Virginia, US
    Technology type: Landfill Gas Capture & Combustion
    Emissions impact: Reduction
    Certification: Climate Action Reserve
    Project Validator/ Verifier: SCS Global Services
    Protocol Version: Climate Action Reserve Landfill Project Protocol, Version 5

    The New River Resource Authority Regional Solid Waste Management Facility is owned and operated by the New River Resource Authority (NRRA) and is located approximately six miles north of the Town of Dublin. The Facility constructed an active LFG collection and control system in Area A during Fall 2007. The LFG control system commenced operation on January 14, 2008. The blower/flare s

    Facility consists of a single Perennial Energy (PEI) 1,250 scfm utility flare, a 1,250 scfm HSI blower. The flare station was installed in December 2007, and commenced operation in January 2008.

  • Bi-County Landfill Gas Destruction Project

    Project Developer/ Owner:Bi-County Gas Producers, LLC
    Project Identification number: CAR790
    Location: Tennessee, US
    Technology type: Landfill Gas Capture/Combustion
    Emissions impact: Reduction
    Certification: Climate Action Reserve
    Project Validator/ Verifier: SCS Global Services.
    Protocol Version: Climate Action Reserve Landfill Project Protocol, Version 51

    Bi-County Gas Producers, LLC has constructed a landfill-gas-to-energy facility that currently consists of 57 gas collection points and accompanying gas collection header. The site operates two stationary reciprocating internal combustion engines that can generate up to 2.95 megawatts at full capacity. The electricity generated at the site is sold to the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA). There is a 1,600 scfm candlestick flare for backup in order to maintain gas collection rates during engine downtime. The gas collection and control system consists of vertical gas collection wells and liner gas collectors, as well as collection points on the header system to extract gas from the landfill and control fugitive emissions.

  • Athens-Clarke County Landfill Project

    Project Developer/ Owner: Anew Environmental, LLC
    Project Identification number: CAR881
    Location: Georgia, US
    Technology type: Landfill Gas Capture/Combustion
    Emissions impact: Reduction
    Certification: Climate Action Reserve
    Project Validator/ Verifier: Ruby Canyon Environmental, Inc.
    Protocol Version: Climate Action Reserve (Reserve) Landfill Project Protocol Version 5.0

    The landfill gas collection system is routed to a Landfill Gas-to-Energy facility which treats the gas via compression, dewatering, and filtering before routing it to a generator set capable of producing up to 1600 kW of electricity that is exported to the local power grid. A candlestick flare is available as a backup control device for the landfill gas.

  • IESI-Trinity Timber Ridge Landfill Carbon Project

    Project Developer/ Owner: Timber Ridge Landfill Company
    Project Identification number: CAR838
    Location: Missouri, US
    Technology type: Landfill Gas Capture/Combustion
    Emissions impact: Reduction
    Certification: Climate Action Reserve
    Project Validator/ Verifier: Trinity Carbon Management, LLC (TCM)
    Protocol Version: Climate Action Reserve Landfill Project Protocol, Version 6.0

    IESI MO Landfill Corporation has voluntarily designed and installed a Landfill Gas Collection and Destruction System at the Timber Ridge Landfill. Landfill gas is being collected with a surficial gas system and through leachate collection risers. IESI believes the surficial gas system to be superior and more environmentally friendly than a tradition gas system due to the fact that all surface emissions under the synthetic liner are being collected. IESI is not under any regulatory or enforcement action that requires the system to be installed.

  • St. Joseph Windfarm Inc.

    Project Identification number: ef71ece9-032a
    Location: Manitoba, Canada
    Technology type: Wind
    Label: Green-e
    Vintage: December 1, 2023
    Serial number: 649-MB-12-2023-AD98F464-31503-39220

    The St. Joseph Wind project is a 138 MW wind project located near St. Joseph, Manitoba just north of the US border. St. Joseph wind is the largest wind project in the province and has been operational since 2010.

  • St. Leon Expansion

    Project Identification number: ef71ece9-032a
    Location: Manitoba, Canada
    Technology type: Wind
    Label: Green-e
    Vintage: December 1, 2023
    Serial number: 3509-MB-12-2023-C04520C7-3512-5347

    The St. Leon Wind Energy Project is a 120.5 MW wind project, one of the largest in the province, located approximately 150 kilometres southwest of Winnipeg near the town of St. Leon and Swan Lake First Nation in Manitoba.

  • Parc éolien Nicolas-Riou

    Project Identification number: ef71ece9-032a
    Location: Quebec, Canada
    Technology type: Wind
    Label: Green-e
    Vintage: April 1, 20243
    Serial number:3585-QC-04-2024-ACBB207D-53226-59989

    Located in the Bas-Saint-Laurent region, on the private and public lands of TNO Boisbouscache and the municipalities of Sainte-Françoise, Saint-Mathieu-de-Rioux, Saint-Médard (RCM Basques) and Saint- Eugene-de-Ladrière (RCM of Rimouski-Neigette), this 224.25 MW wind farm, is comprised of 65 Vestas V117 wind turbine generators.

  • Gros Morne Facility

    Project Identification number: b7c723df-d2b1
    Location: Quebec, Canada
    Technology type: Wind
    Label: Green-e
    Vintage: August 1, 2024
    Serial number: 2826-QC-08-2024-0B2FB153-17946-63181

    The Gros-Morne wind farm is located in the Municipalities of Saint-Maxime-du-Mont-Louis and Sainte- Madeleine-de-la-Rivière-Madeleine. The wind farm has an installed capacity of 211.6 MW and generates an average of 650,000 MWh of electricity each year

We are assessing our impact on nature

We recognize that it is becoming increasingly important for companies to assess, address and report on the impacts that their operations and supply chain have on deforestation, biodiversity and nature.

We have leveraged the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Water and Biodiversity Risk Filters to conduct an assessment of our operations and we contracted an experienced third-party organization to conduct an assessment of our value chain applying in-depth knowledge and geospatial intelligence.

The operational assessment covered a variety of key performance indicators including water stress, water quality, fire hazards, pollution, changing weather conditions, and others. The value-chain assessment covered impact on land degradation, deforestation, soil pollution, water stress and water pollution with a science-based approach that follows the Science Based Targets for Nature (SBTN) steps 1 and 2 and the Accountability Framework developed by the Accountability Framework initiative (AFi).

Based on the findings, the three key action areas listed below emerged as most important for us to focus on. Initiatives are already well underway in these areas and we will continue to advance our efforts.
• 1) Regenerating the land across our value chain
• 2) Improving water quality across Canadian operating and sourcing regions
• 3) Determining our deforestation impact and eliminating deforestation across our primary forest-risk commodities

We are supporting Canadian organizations like, World Wildlife Canada, to conduct leading edge research.

We support organizations like WWF-Canada to introduce leading edge research and solutions that help stabilize the climate, preserve natural resources, and protect and regenerate our Canadian land.

In 2021, we provided funding to support WWF-Canada and the Remote Sensing Lab at McMaster University to create the first-ever map that shows how much carbon is stored in landscapes across Canada to ensure these lands are protected and preserved. More recently, we provided funding to support WWF-Canada’s latest research to identify landscapes in Canada that have the greatest potential to benefit from restoration.

Learn more about what we’re doing to reduce our emissions and environmental footprint

Integrated Report

We’re documenting all the changes we’re making. See our progress in our latest Integrated Report.

View report20 Mb

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