Climate & Nature is Lantmännen’s program for the farming of the future and contains concrete measures for biodiversity and reduced climate impact. By upgrading the Climate & Nature ranges, Lantmännen Cerealia, together with the contracted farmers, is taking great strides to deliver wheat- and oat-based products in a fossil-free value chain.
“Over the past decade, our commitment upstream in the value chain has been strong and it is very positive for us that we can now further improve our offering. We will continue to deliver high-quality products, but with a lower climate impact. Few companies deliver at these levels and have had the same impact on the primary production’s transition to become fossil-free,” says Martin Thilander, Managing Director Lantmännen Cerealia Sweden.
The criteria within Climate & Nature are dynamic, which since the start in 2015 has meant that criteria have been added over the past ten years – with the effect that the climate reduction, in a first step, has gone from 20 to 30 percent and now, in a second step, to 45 percent.
“It is of the utmost importance that companies throughout the food value chain pull in the same direction, and it is with that in mind that we are leading the way with our brands AXA and Kungsörnen. We have worked actively to create a fossil-free value chain and the results are now available on store shelves,” says Linnea Heiskala, Head of Sustainability, Lantmännen Cerealia.
Furthermore, about 10 percent of all grain that goes to human consumption in Sweden is currently grown according to the program’s criteria.
“At Lantmännen Cerealia, we are very proud of this decision. It means that we are delivering on our goals within the Science Based Targets Initiative,” concludes Linnea Heiskala.
The criteria for reduced climate impact consist of precision farming that increases yields and reduces resource consumption, the use of fossil-free plant fertilizers, economical driving and the use of fossil-free fuels in tractors and combines, among other things.
In addition, at least two criteria for the promotion of biodiversity must be met within the framework of the farmer’s commitment. These include the following:
– Flowering zones where clover, honeywort and sunflower create environments for insects and pollinators to thrive.
– Lark squares that give the skylark the opportunity to land and find food.
– The use of thermally treated seeds that reduce the need for plant protection products.
– Plant protection-free edge zones that reduce the impact on watercourses and animal and plant life.
What does Lantmännen mean by fossil-free?
Lantmännen has analysed emissions from the food value chain and gradually introduced alternatives to fossil energy. The largest uses of fossil energy can now be replaced with fossil-free alternatives. Approximately 6 percent of fossil energy use remains in the entire value chain from field to fork. The last share is the sum of a number of smaller flows that are currently difficult to access, such as energy use in the production of lime, plant protection products and certain packaging. For more information regarding this, follow this link. And to deep dive into how we calculate, this link (only in Swedish).
For more information, please contact:
Emelie Bontesse, Head of Communications, Lantmännen Cerealia
E-mail: emelie.bontesse@lantmannen.com
Lantmännen's press office
Tel: 010 556 88 00
E-mail: press@lantmannen.com