Simon Lowden, Chief Transformation Officer at The Arnott’s Group, shares how his team is spearheading the company’s sustainability progress, including driving an impactful climate strategy.
Presented by South Pole
“At the heart of The Arnott’s Group’s climate journey lies a commitment to environmental, social and governance principles,” says Lowden.
He highlights the company’s approach, which extends beyond manufacturing to ensure the group’s purpose to create delicious moments endures by preserving the land on which they rely and serving the local communities where they operate.
“One of the biggest pieces of work we’ve engaged in recently is with climate consultancy South Pole, which has been instrumental in providing us with a full view of our value chain footprint,” he continues. “It was no surprise that the biggest challenge we face is our scope 3 emissions.”
As a responsible food company, The Arnott’s Group proactively engages with partners across the supply chain to source ingredients sustainably and ethically.“Our business heavily relies on the produce that is grown on the land,” says Lowden.
“That is why our farming communities across the group are very important to us. The Arnott’s Group is the largest user of soft wheat in Australia and I’m proud of our partnership with Allied Pinnacle. Through this partnership, we’re using data to support growers to trial practices on-farm that have the potential to improve soil health and/or reduce greenhouse gas emissions.”
While the business explores how best to continue its work with agricultural partners, in 2023, The Arnott’s Group focused on emissions reduction projects within direct operations.
“My team completed the install of solar panels at our North Strathfield, Sydney, head office and our bakery in Virginia, Queensland,” says Lowden.
"We also signed an agreement to deliver one of Australia’s largest behind-the-meter solar and battery installations and will transition our world-class Huntingwood manufacturing facility in Sydney to 100 per cent renewable electricity by 2029. Excitingly, the solar installation will be fully operational this year.”
Lowden acknowledges that the sustainability challenges faced by the business are big, complex and system-wide.
“We cannot find solutions and drive meaningful progress by simply playing in our own patch,” he says. “But we can use our influence and scale to partner with the value chain and chart a path forward.”
With mandatory reporting regulations looming, there has been a notable uptick in interest and scrutiny surrounding climate-related initiatives. Lowden views this as a positive development, fostering a deeper understanding of the interconnectedness between financial performance and environmental stewardship.
“As an iconic Australian brand present in roughly 90 per cent of Australian pantries, The Arnott’s Group recognises its leadership role in sustainability and we want to lead by example, taking meaningful action and inspiring others along the way.”
For more information on how to achieve your sustainability goals, go to southpole.com
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