Our Focus on Environmental Responsibility

Review
Kitt Green, our largest
factory in the United
Kingdom, has a quarterly
publication that highlights,
among other things, initiatives
to make the facility
more energy-efficient.

Climate Change
Heinz is determined to achieve significant reductions in the Company’s emissions of greenhouse gases (GHG), especially carbon dioxide (CO2) .

We recognize the potential impact that global climate change could have on Heinz’s operations. For example, severe weather could affect crops; higher costs of energy would increase our operational expenses; and a lack of availability of water, in turn, could limit production and distribution of goods. This is why we believe it is important for Heinz to contribute to lowering overall global GHG emissions. Among the challenges we face in lowering our GHG emissions are the lack of carbon sequestration technologies for the food processing industry, and the need to effect cultural change among employees and consumers.

Globally, direct and indirect greenhouse gas emissions by Heinz totaled approximately 883 metric tonnes of carbondioxide (CO2) equivalents in Fiscal 2006 and approximately 900 metric tonnes of CO2 equivalents in Fiscal 2007. (A metric tonne is equal to approximately 2,204 pounds).*

In Europe, Heinz is subject to the European Union Emissions Trading Scheme, which has been in place since 2005 to ensure that Europe meets its commitment under the Kyoto Protocol to reduce carbon dioxide emissions 5.2% from 1990 levels, by 2012. Each manufacturing site is granted an annual carbon dioxide emissions allowance, with incentives designed to promote reduction. Our manufacturing sites are on track to meet these targets.

In the U.K., Heinz is an active participant in The Carbon Trust, which was established by the government to reduce carbon emissions. Under this program, our Kitt Green facility has reduced CO2 emissions by approximately 13% over the past three years. This achievement was made possible by the installation of energy-efficient continuous cooking equipment, as well as packaging innovations that enable food products to be cooked in the can during production, an energy-efficient process that we are extending to other facilities.

* We recognize these numbers have increased and are working to address our GHG emissions.

<< BACK       PRINT       NEXT >>

Copyright © 2007 H.J. Heinz Company. All rights reserved.

 

About the Cover: Heinz tomatoes around the globe are grown from seeds specifically bred through traditional means by our talented team of experts based in California. Reuben Peterson (left), the leader of Heinz’s global tomato research and tomato supply chain team, surveys the summer 2007 Heinz tomato crop with Stuart Woolf, president of Woolf Farming Co. and managing partner of Los Gatos Tomato Products, Huron, Calif. Woolf Farming Co. is one of Heinz’s lead tomato suppliers in the U.S.

[Close]