Bakkafrost engages suppliers in sustainability drive

Faroese and Scottish fish farmer Bakkafrost is engaging with its suppliers in a new sustainability drive, with the aim of reducing its overall carbon footprint.

Bakkafrost hosted a Supplier Day last week in which it spelled out an ambitious programme. The company has set a target of a 52% reduction in Scope 3 (supply chain) Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions per tonne of salmon produced by the end of the decade.

The company said: “In 2021, we sourced 59% of products and services locally in the Faroe Islands. Thus it is essential that we build robust partnerships with our local suppliers to ensure that we work on reducing our general carbon footprint.

“Collaboration is key to meeting sustainability goals, and we prioritize an open and respectful dialogue with our suppliers to ensure that everyone benefits from the transition to low-carbon solutions.”

Bakkafrost said its new sustainable procurement policy encompasses eight procurement principles which will ensure that both expansions, as well as maintenance investments, support continuous sustainable development.

It added: “We will continue to engage with our suppliers on sustainability topics, including suppliers for the rest of the group and smaller suppliers.”

The company’s CEO Regin Jacobsen has said he wants to see green issues at the top of the agenda.

Bakkafrost believes the fast-growing global population coupled with increasing demand for protein, is putting unprecedented pressure on the planet. In this scenario, there is a challenge to produce protein and valuable essential fish oils efficiently and sustainably – a challenge which the aquaculture industry is stepping up to meet.

It said: “As the largest salmon farmer in the Faroe Islands, at Bakkafrost we have a duty to ensure we also do this responsibly; which means thinking long-term on economic, social, and environmental issues.”