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The Amur Energy anaerobic digestion plant in Yorkshire, UK
AB Agri recognises the significant role of the agricultural sector in global GHG emissions.
A warming planet, evidenced by rising global temperatures and increasingly volatile weather patterns, presents a major challenge for agriculture. Threats such as extreme heat, drought and flooding could disrupt AB Agri’s supply chain at every stage, from sourcing crops for feed to its own manufacturing sites and customers’ farm businesses.
AB Agri has identified an initial list of climate-related physical and transition risks and opportunities in alignment with the Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) framework. These risks are managed within the AB Agri Risk Register.
The primary risks include extreme weather events and temperature changes that could affect the availability of critical raw materials in the supply chain or hinder AB Agri's manufacturing operations. To mitigate these risks, AB Agri has implemented effective measures to manage stock requirements and established contingency plans for critical raw materials.
In its manufacturing sites in the UK and China, AB Agri has implemented controls and mitigation plans to address snow, flooding, and extreme temperatures. Additionally, AB Agri uses the Verisk Maplecroft global risk analysis tool to monitor temperature variations and any business interruptions caused by extreme weather events.
Its seed business, Germains, recognises the challenges faced by US farmers from the combination of intensifying heat and water restrictions. To address this, Germains is developing heat-resistant seed varieties to help maintain yields. The business is also exploring commercially promising markets that may develop from future climate shifts.
AB Agri seeks to improve energy efficiency and reduce the fossil fuel reliance of its sites globally. The business has set a roadmap for reduction, with ‘energy used in manufacturing’ and ‘distribution operations’ its priority focus areas.
AB Agri’s total energy use in 2024 was 198 GWh, a decrease of 1% compared with 2023. Of that total energy consumption, 9% came from a renewable source. During 2024, AB Agri exported 35 GWh of energy to the national grid.
AB Agri’s Scope 1 and 2 emissions reduced by 14% from 69 ktCO2e in 2023 to 59 ktCO2e in 2024. This reduction is partly driven by one site in the UK operating at reduced capacity due to operational reasons. Additionally, efforts across the business were put in place to improve process efficiencies, investments were made in technology and fuel sources were changed, including the installation of solar panels.
AB Agri continues to make progress in transitioning to lower emission sources across its estate, with solar panels installed at nine sites globally. Additionally, its anaerobic digestion plant in Yorkshire, UK, produces renewable gas from food waste, equivalent to around 69% of the gas used to power AB Agri’s UK manufacturing sites.
Total energy consumed and proportion from a renewable source
(GWh)
Scope 1 and 2 (location-based) GHG emissions
(000 tonnes of CO2e)
This year, AB Agri successfully completed a project to calculate its Scope 3 emissions in accordance with the GHG Protocol. In preparation for public disclosure in 2024/25, a pre-assessment assurance audit is being conducted on its Scope 3 data.
