BANGKOK, June 4, 2024 -- Thai Union Group PCL has published its 2023 Sustainability Report, highlighting the progress made towards the goals outlined in its ambitious SeaChange® 2030 sustainability strategy.
The report, which can be downloaded here, provides a comprehensive overview of Thai Union’s initiatives to deliver against its goals, and underscores the Company’s unwavering commitment to environmental stewardship, social responsibility, and sustainable development.
“Thai Union’s commitment to sustainability is stronger than ever, and the progress we have made in 2023 is a testament to our dedication to leading positive change within the seafood industry,” said Thai Union Group CEO Thiraphong Chansiri. “Our SeaChange® 2030 strategy not only sets ambitious goals but also lays a clear path towards achieving them. We have a lot of work ahead of us, but I am proud of the strides we have made and remain deeply committed to driving further improvements not just across our operations but the industry around the world.”
During 2023, Thai Union’s work on the SeaChange® 2030 strategy led to several notable achievements, including:
- Reducing greenhouse gases for Scope 1 & 2 by 8.8 percent in 2023 compared to 2022.
- Increasing the percentage of tuna purchased from vessels equipped with electronic monitoring and/or human observers from a 71 percent baseline in 2021 to 90 percent.
- Sourcing 85 percent of the Company’s total tuna volume from fisheries that are either MSC-certified, in MSC assessment, or in a credible Fishery Improvement Program, which is up 4 percent from 2022.
- Becoming a signatory to two ambitious global environmental initiatives - Ocean Breakthroughs and Transforming our Food Systems at the UN 27th Conference of the Parties (COP27) on Climate Change.
- Launching the Shrimp Decarbonization initiative, developed with The Nature Conservancy (TNC) and Ahold Delhaize USA, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions
- Publishing its Human Rights Risk Assessment and updated Human Rights Policy
SeaChange® 2030 includes broad and aggressive goals that will drive global impact for both people and planet, while actively supporting the delivery of 10 of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs). The goals include a 42 percent reduction in Scope 1, 2 and 3 greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and net zero by 2050; a THB 250 million (more than USD 7 million) investment towards the protection and restoration of critical ecosystems; implementation of zero water discharge, zero waste to landfill and zero food loss at its five key global facilities by 2030; ensuring 100 percent of Thai Union’s shrimp is produced minimizing ecosystem impact, extending its responsible wild-caught sourcing program to all key species, and providing a safe, equitable, and decent workplace.
In brief
Thai Union Group PCL has released its 2023 Sustainability Report, detailing progress under its SeaChange® 2030 strategy. The company says it reduced Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 8.8 percent from 2022 and raised the share of tuna bought from vessels with electronic monitoring or human observers to 90 percent, from a 71 percent 2021 baseline. It also reported that 85 percent of its tuna volume came from fisheries with MSC certification, assessment, or a credible improvement program. Other work included joining two environmental initiatives, starting a shrimp decarbonization effort with partners, and publishing human rights materials. The strategy includes emissions, ecosystem, facility, seafood sourcing, and workplace goals. Thai Union also noted sustainability index rankings and a B rating from CDP in early 2024.
Key takeaways
- Thai Union published its 2023 Sustainability Report on progress under the SeaChange® 2030 strategy.
- The company reported an 8.8 percent reduction in Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions versus 2022.
- The share of tuna purchased from monitored vessels reached 90 percent, compared with a 71 percent 2021 baseline.
- Thai Union says 85 percent of its tuna volume came from fisheries meeting specified certification or improvement criteria.
- The strategy includes a 42 percent emissions reduction goal by 2030 and a THB 250 million ecosystem investment.
“Each year, we push the boundaries of our industry in sustainability, and 2023 was no exception,” said Adam Brennan, Chief Sustainability Officer at Thai Union. “The advancements detailed in our latest Sustainability Report reflect our ongoing efforts to protect our oceans, support our communities, and ensure the long-term viability of our business. With SeaChange® 2030, we are well-positioned to continue this critical work and inspire others to join us in these efforts.”
Thai Union’s ongoing drive for positive change was again recognized in 2023, with the Company listed on the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices (DJSI) for the 10th straight year and ranked number one on the Seafood Stewardship Index for the third consecutive time for delivering towards the UN SDGs. In early 2024, the Group achieved a B rating from global environmental disclosure non-profit CDP for its commitment and transparency in addressing the threats from climate change.
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About Thai Union
Thai Union Group PCL is the world's seafood leader, bringing high quality, healthy, tasty and innovative seafood products to customers across the world for 47 years.
Today, Thai Union is regarded as one of the world's leading seafood producers and is one of the largest producers of shelf-stable tuna products with annual sales exceeding THB 136.2 billion (US$ 3,912 billion) and a global workforce of more than 44,000 people who are dedicated to pioneering sustainable, innovative seafood products.
The Company’s global brand portfolio includes market-leading international brands such as Chicken of the Sea, John West, Petit Navire, Parmentier, Mareblu, King Oscar, Hawesta, and Rügen Fisch, Thai-leading brands SEALECT, Fisho, Qfresh, Monori, OMG Meat, Bellotta and Marvo, and ingredient and supplement brands UniQ®BONE, UniQ®DHA and ZEAvita.
With a commitment to “Healthy Living, Healthy Oceans,” Thai Union is proud to be a member of the United Nations Global Compact, a founding participating company of the International Seafood Sustainability Foundation (ISSF), and current Chair of Seafood Business for Ocean Stewardship (SeaBOS).
Thai Union's ongoing leadership in sustainability has been taken to the next level with the announcement of SeaChange® 2030, the Company’s expanded sustainability strategy with more ambitious goals for people and planet. Through SeaChange®, the Company was recognized and listed on the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices (DJSI) for the 10th consecutive year in 2023, ranked number one on the Seafood Stewardship Index (SSI) for the third consecutive time, listed in the S&P Global Sustainability Yearbook 2024, achieved a B rating from global environmental disclosure non-profit CDP, and was also named to the FTSE4Good Emerging Index for the eighth straight year in 2023. Find out more about the Group’s sustainability strategy at https://www.seachangesustainability.org/
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Questions around this news
What progress did Thai Union report on its SeaChange 2030 strategy in 2023?
The report highlights an 8.8 percent reduction in Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions compared with 2022. It also says 90 percent of tuna purchases came from vessels with electronic monitoring and/or human observers, up from a 71 percent baseline in 2021. In addition, 85 percent of total tuna volume came from fisheries certified, undergoing assessment, or participating in a credible improvement program.
What are the main goals of Thai Union’s SeaChange 2030 strategy?
The strategy includes a goal to cut Scope 1, 2 and 3 greenhouse gas emissions by 42 percent by 2030, with net zero targeted by 2050. Other aims include investing THB 250 million in critical ecosystem protection and restoration; pursuing zero water discharge, zero landfill waste and zero food loss at five key facilities; and improving shrimp sourcing, responsible wild-caught sourcing and workplace conditions.
What do Scope 1, Scope 2 and Scope 3 emissions mean?
These categories help organizations account for greenhouse gas emissions associated with their activities. Scope 1 covers direct emissions from sources an organization owns or controls. Scope 2 covers emissions linked to the energy it buys, such as electricity. Scope 3 includes other indirect emissions across its value chain, including those associated with suppliers, transportation, product use or disposal.
What is a fishery improvement program?
A fishery improvement program is a collaborative effort to improve a fishery’s environmental performance and management. Participants may include fishers, seafood businesses, governments and conservation groups. Programs typically identify needed changes, set goals and track progress; they can help fisheries work toward more sustainable practices, but participation by itself is not the same as independent certification.
Earlier from Thai Union
- Thai Union records 1Q24 net profit of THB 1.2 billion as demand recovers across core product categories
- Japan Credit Rating Agency Upgrades Thai Union Foreign Currency Issuer Credit Rating to A with a Stable Outlook
- Thai Union Wins 2 Prestigious Awards from The Asset Triple A Sustainable Finance Awards 2024
- Thai Union Launches New Initiative to Decarbonize Thai Shrimp Supply Chain
- Thai Union Q4 sales rose 4.8% quarter-on-quarter to THB 35.5 Billion, from strong frozen and petcare rebound
