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.
“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.
