Silver Fern Farms (SFF), New Zealand’s largest multi-site red meat company is receiving $1 million of co-funding from Government Investment in Decarbonisation (GIDI) Round Two towards their $2.6 million Pareora Hot Water Heat Pump Project. Its Pareora site near Timaru will install a high-temperature heat pump to preheat water for the processing plant, shifting heating load away from fossil fuels to electrification. This is the company’s third successful GIDI co-funded project, and will cut 111,780 tonnes of emissions over its lifetime.
SFF produces 30% of all New Zealand lamb, beef and venison, in partnership with 16,000 sheep, beef and deer cooperative farmers across 14 plants. While 14 of SFF’s processing sites still rely on some form of fossil fuel as an energy source, their mapped-out processes highlight their commitment to secure a sustainable future.These processes include taking a whole farm system approach when working with suppliers to reduce carbon and sourcing animals from farms rich in biodiversity. SFF has reduced its greenhouse gas emissions from processing operations by 8% since 2018, and fossil fuel use has dropped by 12%.
“Our goal is to deliver delicious, sustainable red meat to a range of discerning consumers around the world. Our actions will speak louder than words when it comes to carbon and climate change.” – Silver Fern Farms.
In August 2021, Silver Fern Farms achieved Toitū Envirocare diamond certification, the highest New Zealand-based environmental certification. Join Matt Harcombe, sustainability senior advisor from Silver Fern Farms, at December’s Net Zero New Zealand: Emissions Workshop, where he will discuss the company’s overall strategy and journey towards reducing emissions.