Why this project mattered.
Brightfield Foods had committed publicly to net zero, but the target sat far ahead of any concrete plan. Leadership wanted a roadmap that translated the ambition into staged, fundable actions across every plant, rather than a headline number with no route to reach it.
The Challenge
Emissions came from many sources across production, refrigeration, and logistics, and no one had a clear view of which reductions were realistic or affordable. A distant target risked becoming a slogan with little operational meaning.
1. Map the emissions that matter
Identify the largest and most addressable sources first, then decide which reductions are worth funding now and which belong in later phases. Give each a clear owner and a measurable outcome, so the roadmap points to real decisions rather than a single far-off date.
Brightfield needed a sequence of fundable steps, each with an owner and a payback, so progress could begin immediately and compound over time.
2. Our Approach
We built a phased net zero roadmap that balanced quick efficiency gains, equipment upgrades, and longer-term energy decisions. Each phase carried a cost, an expected reduction, and a review point, so the plan stayed credible with both operations and finance.
Scattered emissions
Sources spanned production, cooling, and transport.
Unclear priorities
No agreed order for which reductions came first.
Affordability doubts
Finance questioned the cost of an abstract target.
Weak accountability
No owner held each step of the pathway.
3. The Solution
Earthward delivered a staged net zero roadmap covering energy efficiency, refrigeration, on-site generation, and supplier engagement, each phase tied to an owner, an expected reduction, and a review point across every plant.
The Importance of Regular Review and Adjustments
A net zero roadmap must evolve as technology, energy markets, and the business change. Brightfield now revisits the plan each cycle, moving proven measures forward and adjusting those that no longer fit, so the target stays realistic and progress remains steady rather than stalling between milestones.
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