Across the food and agribusiness sectors, we’re seeing a sharp rise in letters and information requests from major international retailers and importers, such as Albert Heijn, Gall & Gall, Nestlé, Sainsbury’s, and Walmart. These companies are asking their suppliers if they are measuring their carbon emissions, whether they have developed net-zero roadmaps and science-based targets, and which standards or protocols they follow when calculating those emissions.
This growing trend is being driven by large companies that have committed to science-based targets through the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). A key component of these commitments is the Scope 3 target, which focuses on reducing emissions across the supply chain. Many of these companies have also set supplier engagement targets, meaning they are now actively requiring their suppliers to set their own SBTi-aligned targets, which explains the influx of these requests.
At Blue North, we help businesses respond proactively to these letters and requests by supporting them to calculate their corporate carbon footprint, set science-based targets, and develop robust net-zero roadmaps. We ensure that all calculations and plans are aligned with the Greenhouse Gas Protocol and SBTi requirements.
If you’d like to understand more about the carbon landscape, including how to calculate a carbon footprint, how carbon removals and credits fit in, and what’s driving these changes, our Agri-Carbon Crash Course is an excellent opportunity to build insight and confidence in this space. It’s a workshop we host for businesses in the food and agriculture sectors to help them better navigate and respond to these growing carbon requirements.
We have several Agri-Carbon Crash Courses coming up:
- 27 January 2026 (In-person): Johannesburg (Click here to sign up)
- 3 February 2026 (In-person): Stellenbosch
If you’d like to find out more or need support in responding to these requests, please contact us at support@bluenorth.co.za. Our team is ready to help.