Scandi Standard climate label products in all home markets

Scandi Standard has calculated and certified the carbon footprint of more than 280 of its products in all home markets. The certified calculations have been done for two reasons: to help consumers make more informed choices about the food they eat and to support the company’s commitment to the Paris Agreement and the 1.5-degree target. Norwegian subsidiary Den Stolte Hane has from today the climate label on several products.

Scandi Standard has worked with the specialized and independent organization, the Carbon Trust, to calculate and measure the carbon footprint across the company’s entire value chain at a product level – from farm to fork. More than 280 products across all five home markets are included in the calculations. The results are certified by the Carbon Trust.  

– These calculations, which will be updated every other year, will be an important part of Scandi Standard’s climate strategy going forward to reduce our carbon footprint in line with the 1.5-degree target. This is also an important and concrete step towards our overall ambition to be a future-proof company, says Jonas Tunestål, CEO at Scandi Standard.  

The carbon footprint label from the Carbon Trust is now being added to product packaging on certified products. In Norway, the chicken producer Den Stolte Hane is initially launching the climate label on six products in its grilled segment. Other markets within Scandi Standard will introduce climate labelling on their products continuously. 

– According to several scientific studies, chicken has a lower carbon footprint per kilo compared to other common animal meat such as beef or pork. But we must still reduce our carbon footprint. As the market leader, we want to help consumers make more conscious choices as well as increase transparency and take the industry lead in the green transition. Now we know the climate footprint at a detailed level and where we should focus our carbon reduction measures, says Ida Ljungkvist, Sustainability Director at Scandi Standard. 

Carbon data has been collected and covers the entire value chain; from feed production, rearing and processing, to packaging, transport to the stores, and cooking of the chicken in consumer homes. Where primary data has not been available, estimates or secondary data has been used, in line with the international standard used for the calculation. 

– There are several methods of calculation, and we welcome any standardization in the field. Our numbers will not always be comparable to other calculations; however, it is beneficial to have calculations based on our own data, which can easily be explained to stakeholders. We see this as a first step – a methodology and result to refine over time as standardization and best practice develops, says Ida Ljungkvist.  

Feed production, especially soy, and feed conversion into meat accounts for the greatest climate impact according to the calculations. The effect of direct operations such as slaughterhouse operations as well as packaging and transport only contributes to a few percent of the products' total climate impact. Scandi Standard demand traceability and responsible soy production in all markets, but the goal is to reduce and replace imported soy with other, local protein sources.  

About the calculations

The model used to calculate the product carbon footprint has been exclusively built for Scandi Standard and calculations are based on primary data from the organization when available. For data not available, estimates or secondary data have been used in line with standard practice and the international standard used. 

Results have been produced for each product type (SKU) as both per kg of SKU and per SKU weight. Results have also been also produced for each processing stage, as kg CO2e and kg CO2e/kg output. The percentage contribution for each process stage is also reported. PAS 2050 is the standard used for the product carbon footprint (PCF) calculation. 

The main part of the data used is from 2020. The data collection was done between March and November 2021 and has since been supplemented as the model has been built up until April 2022. The certification was done May-July 2022. The certification is valid for two years, meaning that calculation will need to be renewed during 2024 (with 2023 data as a basis). 

The calculations include the so-called LUC factor which means that the climate impact from the land use change following e.g., soy production is included. This is not the case in all similar calculations in the market and has a material impact on the result.   

The lifecycle stages included in the calculations are:  

• Growing crops for feed, including land use change (LUC-factor)  

• Feed production 

• Parent bird breeding 

• Hatching 

• Rearing 

• Slaughter & processing 

• Packaging 

• Distribution  

• Retail & Sales  

• Use – for example, the electricity needed to cool the fridge for product storage and for cooking – and average food waste + disposal of packaging. 

About the Carbon Trust

The Carbon Trust is a global climate consultancy driven by the mission to accelerate the move to a decarbonized future. It has been pioneering decarbonization for more than 20 years for businesses, governments, and organizations. A leader in carbon footprinting, the Carbon Trust certifies products, organizations and value chains around the world. https://www.carbontrust.com/who-we-are

For more information, please contact:

Ida Ljungkvist, Group Sustainability Director Scandi Standard: ida.ljungkvist@scandistandard.com

Anna Ovesdotter, Interim Group Communication Director Scandi Standard: anna.ovesdotter@scandistandard.com

About Scandi Standard 
Scandi Standard is a prime producer of chilled, frozen and ready-made chicken products. Every day, in everything we do, we make sure that our products live up to the highest standards of quality, innovation and sustainability. From chicken products in the Nordic region and Ireland, to the production and sale of eggs in Norway. We are a leading provider in the retail, foodservice and food industry sectors. Our brands and products, including Kronfågel, Den Danske Familje Gårde, Den Stolte Hane, Sicín Sásta and Naapurin Maalaiskana, can be found in over 40 countries. Visit us at https://www.scandistandard.com/