Oatly pioneers climate solutions with first industry certification

SWEDEN – Oatly, a manufacturer of oat-based dairy alternatives, has become the first food and drink company to qualify as a Climate Solutions Company, according to the Exponential Roadmap Initiative (ERI) framework.

The certification came after the company published its updated Global Sustainability Plan, laying out plans for reducing climate emissions, contributing to societal net zero, and broadening its impact to include commitments to protecting nature, nutritious diets, and empowering people to help futureproof the food system.

The Exponential Roadmap Initiative (ERI) is a collaborative climate initiative uniting companies that are innovators, disruptors and transformers to drive exponential action to halve emissions by 2030.

The initiative supports leading companies to take radical climate action across four pillars, which include; reducing own emissions, reducing value chain emissions, providing and scaling climate solutions, and accelerating action in society.

Oatly set updated emissions reduction targets aligned with the ERI climate solutions framework and global Carbon Law concept.

These goals include contributing to societal net zero, reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 89% in 2050, counterbalancing remaining residual emissions with durable removals from 2050 onwards, and updating interim targets to achieve a 40% reduction in emissions by 2030, followed by a 70% reduction by 2040.

Jean-Christophe Flatin, CEO at Oatly, said, “Climate action feels like it’s fallen off the world’s agenda. Not at Oatly, where we remain resolute in our mission to help people eat better and live healthier lives without recklessly taxing the planet’s resources.

“As we launch our most comprehensive Sustainability Plan to date, we’re proud to be recognised as the first food and drink ‘Climate Solutions Company’ for our role in transforming the broken food system.

He emphasised the company’s commitment to sustainability and collaboration. He acknowledged the deep interconnections between climate, nature, people, and nutrition, highlighting Oatly’s approach to working with experts across various fields to drive meaningful change.

In addition to updating targets to reduce greenhouse gas (GHGs) emissions across Scopes 1, 2 and 3, Oatly has also become the first company to trial a new model (“Spheres of Influence”) for setting targets, measuring and reporting on the impact outside of its direct value chain – its contribution to societal net zero – in partnership with Futerra and Oxford Net Zero.

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