Wednesday, 15 October 2025
Dawn Meats has reported a 63% reduction in Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions over a six-year period from 2018 to 2024. The company, one of the UK and Ireland’s leading meat processors, announced the progress as part of its ongoing Plan Four Zero sustainability strategy. Understanding the Emission Categories Scope 1 emissions […]
Dawn Meats has reported a 63% reduction in Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions over a six-year period from 2018 to 2024. The company, one of the UK and Ireland’s leading meat processors, announced the progress as part of its ongoing Plan Four Zero sustainability strategy.
Scope 1 emissions refer to direct emissions from Dawn Meats’ own operations, such as fuel combustion in company vehicles and facilities.
Scope 2 emissions cover indirect emissions from purchased energy, mainly electricity used to power sites.
As outlined in the company’s latest sustainability update:
Energy Use:
Since 2016, Dawn Meats has saved enough energy to power 22,274 homes for a year. In 2024 alone, 26 capital expenditure projects and system upgrades resulted in an annual energy saving of 5.8 million kWh.
Water Conservation:
The company has saved enough water to fill over 1,272 Olympic-size swimming pools since 2016. In 2024 alone, 18,000 cubic metres were saved.
Plastic Waste:
Since 2016, Dawn Meats has removed more than 3,000 tonnes of plastic from its operations. The company aims to reach an average of 30% recycled content in all plastic packaging by 2025 and ensure 100% of plastic used is reusable, recyclable, or compostable, though challenges remain, particularly in the UK where infrastructure for recycling flexible films is limited.
Solar Power Expansion:
Building on the installation of solar PV panels at its Irish headquarters in Grannagh, Co. Waterford, Dawn Meats plans to expand solar installations across its sites in the UK and Ireland.
Recycling and Waste Recovery:
The proportion of waste recycled, reused, or recovered has increased to 75%.
Scope 3 emissions, those generated throughout the supply chain, account for 95% of Dawn Meats’ total emissions. These are largely from sourcing live cattle and sheep from 30,000 farmers in Ireland and the UK.
Between 2018 and 2024, the company achieved a 9% reduction in Scope 3 emissions intensity, due to a drop in average carbon footprint on supplier farms.
The carbon intensity of supply farms fell from 18.74 kgCO₂e to 18.26 kgCO₂e per kg of carcass during this time.
Dawn Meats’ 2030 goal is to reduce Scope 3 emissions intensity by 28% per tonne of finished product.
More than 96% of the company’s Irish cattle suppliers are certified under the Bord Bia Sustainable Beef and Lamb Assurance Scheme (SBLAS).
In June 2024, the company launched Activate, a new incentivised sustainability programme for beef farmers. The programme is supported and co-funded by McDonald’s and aims to further reduce emissions on farms supplying Dawn Meats.
Chief Executive Officer Niall Browne reiterated the company’s long-standing commitment to sustainability:
“For over 45 years, sustainability has been at the forefront of our operations in Ireland and in the UK. Driven by our commitment of €100 million to the Plan Four Zero strategy, we continue to collaborate with industry and supply chain partners to improve the sustainability of our products and remain competitive in the global marketplace.”
While Dawn Meats reports its sustainability progress, third-party auditing and ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) ratings are becoming increasingly influential for access to capital, retail partnerships, and consumer trust.
Companies are under pressure to report not only on emissions but also on biodiversity impacts, water use, labour practices, and animal welfare. Transparent reporting frameworks like CDP, TCFD, and GRI are becoming industry standards.
Dawn Meats’ use of data and targets aligns with this trend, but continuing to deepen transparency, especially around Scope 3 emissions methodology, will be vital going forward.
Ultimately, the challenge isn’t just reducing emissions, it’s building climate-positive food systems. That means:
Restoring soil health and biodiversity
Improving circularity across food supply chains
Re-thinking consumption patterns and food waste
Balancing economic viability with ecological limits
While meat production will remain a part of the food landscape, companies like Dawn Meats can lead in demonstrating how it can be done with accountability, efficiency, and environmental care.
Dawn Meats’ efforts demonstrate how large-scale food producers can make meaningful progress in reducing emissions, improving resource efficiency, and engaging supply chains in climate action. While the company acknowledges ongoing challenges, especially in recycling infrastructure, it remains on track with ambitious 2025 and 2030 targets.
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