Thai Union launches next stage of sustainability strategy
Thai Union Group is embarking on the next stage of its sustainability strategy to reshape the seafood industry with SeaChange 2030.
Thai Union is committing the equivalent of its entire 2022 net profit of THB 7.2 billion (USD 200m; €181m) to SeaChange through 2030 and setting aggressive new goals that will impact the entire seafood value chain on a global scale.
The company said SeaChange 2030 marks a significant expansion of its sustainability strategy, first created in 2016, due to its 11 interconnected goals that will drive global impact.
The commitments, which actively support the delivery of 10 of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, includes:
- Responsible wild caught seafood: 100% of wild-caught seafood will be sourced responsibly or from a fishery in an improvement program and with responsible labour practices, extending Thai Union’s scope beyond tuna to other key species they source
- Best-in-class manufacturing: Thai Union will implement zero water discharge, zero waste to landfill and zero food loss at its five key global facilities
- Ocean plastics reduction: Thai Union will divert 1,500 tons of ocean-bound plastic from waterways and oceans
- Sustainable packaging: 100% of branded products will be in sustainable packaging by 2025 and Thai Union will advocate for at least 60% of private label products to be in sustainable packaging.
Thai Union said achieving these goals will help reduce carbon, minimise waste, safeguard and rebuild ecosystems, ensure safe, decent, and equitable work is a reality across the value chain, and advance a healthier world.
Thai Union is collaborating with some of the most impactful players in global sustainability and eco-leadership to launch its next stage strategy including Sustainable Fisheries Partnership; Aquaculture Stewardship Council; The Nature Conservancy; IDH – the Sustainable Trade Initiative; and The Global Ghost Gear Initiative.
The company is also aligning its net zero targets with the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) and will drive the deployment of new environmental data collection tools to help deliver a net zero economy. Thai Union said it is the first global seafood company to set goals verified by SBTi, accelerating meaningful progress in the industry.
“The seafood industry needs to do more when it comes to caring for our people, our planet and our oceans,” said Adam Brennan, chief sustainability officer of Thai Union. “The time for aggressive action is now. Through SeaChange, we aim to drive meaningful improvements across the entire global seafood industry. Commitments this ambitious require the power and collaboration of communities, governments, and organisations that can help make long overdue structural changes a reality. Together with our partners, we’re asking the wider industry and our peers to join this effort.”
