apetito unveils bold carbon reduction plans with updated SBTi validation
After hitting a major milestone in its 2025 carbon reduction journey, Trowbridge-based meals provider, apetito, has taken its climate ambition to the next level, unveiling a bold and enhanced roadmap to reach net-zero emissions by 2040.
Backed by updated independent validation from the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), apetito’s new, near and long-term climate commitments set a powerful benchmark for the food industry. Central to its plan is alignment with the SBTi’s Corporate Net-Zero Standard, providing a rigorous, science-backed framework for cutting greenhouse gas emissions and delivering lasting environmental impact.
This roadmap includes apetito’s pro-active embrace of the SBTi’s latest Forest, Land and Agriculture (FLAG) guidance — a vital move for land-intensive sectors. This framework separates emissions into two critical areas: FLAG, which focuses on land use, deforestation, and farming practices, and Energy and Industry, which targets fossil fuel and industrial emissions.
Based on a 2020 base year, apetito has committed that by 2030 it will:
- Cut absolute scope 1 and 2 emissions by 42% and scope 3 emissions by 51.6% per tonne of product sold
- Reduce absolute scope 3 FLAG emissions by 30.3%
Looking further ahead, apetito’s 2040 net-zero ambition means:
- Reducing absolute scope 1 and 2 emissions by 90% and scope 3 emissions per tonne of sold product by 97%
- Driving down absolute scope 3 FLAG emissions by 72%
Further to this, apetito has pledged no deforestation across its primary deforestation-linked commodities by the end of 2025 — underlining its dedication to sustainable sourcing and land stewardship.
Lee Sheppard, Group Sustainability Director at apetito, believes that accountability is key. He said, “For us, achieving net zero isn’t about greenwashing or empty promises — it’s about action. Without SBTi validation, a net-zero target lacks credibility. Independent verification ensures our goals are aligned with science and truly drive the systemic change our planet needs.
“We know these targets are tough – especially with the new FLAG requirements – but we’ve already made strong progress, delivering a 4.6% absolute carbon reduction since 2020. We’re continuing to decarbonise in the right way, working closely across our supply chain to make a real, measurable difference.”
