Reducing carbon emissions and reducing water
Reducing carbon emissions
We are committed to regularly measuring our carbon footprint so we can continue to reduce our emissions. In 2010 we upgraded our carbon calculator software and again determined the carbon footprint for Lion Nathan. We included National Foods in our measurement for the first time. The data used was from our financial year 2009 and the Scope 1 and Scope 2 footprint for the entire LNNF business was 452,874 tonnes of C02e. This measurement will form the base year for our ongoing management of the LNNF carbon footprint. We are currently developing a carbon strategy for the LNNF business to focus on ways to reduce our footprint. We are pleased to note that our carbon footprint in 2010 for Lion Nathan Australia decreased by 10% compared with the previous year. In 2010 National Foods reduced its carbon emissions by 8% from the previous year.
National Pollutant Inventory In 2010 Lion Nathan again reported to the federal government’s National Pollutant Inventory (NPI). The report included substances emitted to air, land and water, as well as those transferred from our sites to other destinations. Our emissions come mainly from fuel combustion to generate steam and energy and from fugitive alcohol losses during beer production. Transfers are mainly alcohol in by-products as well as phosphorous and nitrogen to trade waste. During combustion, substances such as sulphur dioxide (SO2), carbon monoxide (CO), oxides of nitrogen (NOx), particulate matter (PM) and volatile organic compounds (VOC) are released. These can affect air quality. Similar types of emissions occur from motor vehicles, public transport, mowers and other fuel driven equipment. The overall quantity of NPI emissions for Lion Nathan in 2010 was similar to last year's. Reduction in emissions was due to investment in new boiler combustion technology.
Reducing water
In addition to our internal water reduction action plans, we continued to work on water reduction programs with local and state authorities.
Lion Nathan reduced its water consumption per litre of product by 4% on last year, while National Foods reduced its usage by 7%.
This was achieved through improved housekeeping practices, participation in the Queensland government’s Water Efficiency Management Plan and the New South Wales government’s Water Savings Action Plan and a solid reduction in the amount of water used per litre of product.
The Bentley, Baulkham Hills, Penrith, Malanda, Chelsea and Booval sites all continued previous good works on the water front to further reduce the amount of water used per litre of milk bottled, bringing several sites into line with best practice-levels for milk plants.
Our inaugural water footprint for the group includes our supply chain and from the data collected, we have developed a water reduction strategy out to 2020.
In FY10, National Foods’ water use for:
- Cheese products was 25L / kg of cheese produced
- Beverages (which includes juice and milk), was on average 1L / litre
- Dairy products which includes all of our yoghurts, was on average water use 3L / litre
For Lion Nathan, water use averages for:
- Lion Nathan Australia was 3.89 L / litre of beer produced
- Lion Nathan New Zealand was 5.04 L / litre of beer
- Lion Nathan Wine Group was 0.152 L / litre