PepsiCo Europe has announced a groundbreaking partnership with Yara, a global leader in crop nutrition, to decarbonize crop production across Europe. This initiative aims to help 1,000 farms adopt low-carbon agricultural practices and provide low carbon footprint fertilisers, enhancing yields while reducing emissions. This collaboration is a significant step towards achieving PepsiCo’s ambitious sustainability targets and aligning with the European Union’s climate goals.
Under this partnership, Yara will supply up to 165,000 tons of fertilisers annually, including Yara Climate Choice fertilisers made from renewable or low-carbon ammonia, and premium nitrate-based fertilisers with lower carbon footprints. These fertilisers are designed to enhance nutrient use efficiency (NUE) and improve crop yields, all while significantly reducing the carbon footprint associated with traditional fertilisers.
A key component of this collaboration is the integration of digital tools for precision farming and nutrient management. PepsiCo’s CropTrak and Yara’s AtFarm platform will be utilized to provide farmers with precise agronomic advice and support. These tools will enable farmers to optimize their fertiliser use, improving crop nutrition and reducing in-field emissions. By leveraging these technologies, the partnership aims to make significant strides in reducing fertilizer-related carbon emissions, which account for a substantial portion of PepsiCo’s overall carbon footprint.
Initially, the efforts will focus on potato farms, with plans to expand to other crops such as oats and corn. This phased approach will allow for the gradual adoption of low-carbon practices across different types of crops, ensuring a comprehensive impact on the agricultural sector. The ultimate goal is to fully transition to Yara Climate Choice fertilisers by 2030, supporting PepsiCo’s broader target of achieving net zero emissions by 2040.
“This partnership with Yara aligns with our end-to-end transformation known as PepsiCo Positive (pep+) and will be critical as we transition towards the net-zero food system of the future,” said Archana Jagannathan, Chief Sustainability Officer at PepsiCo Europe. The collaboration underscores the importance of working across the entire food value chain to drive meaningful change and create a more sustainable food system.
Mónica Andrés Enríquez, Executive Vice President for Europe at Yara, echoed this sentiment, stating, “To grow a nature-positive food future and transform our food system, we need to collaborate across the food value chain. We’re excited to work with first movers like PepsiCo to help make this a reality.” This partnership highlights the necessity of collective action and innovation in addressing the climate crisis and achieving sustainability goals.
The implications of this partnership are far-reaching. By providing low-carbon solutions and supporting farmers through the transition, PepsiCo and Yara are not only addressing their own carbon footprints but also setting a precedent for the entire agricultural industry. Farmers will benefit from improved yields and a lower carbon footprint, aligning with the EU’s climate targets and contributing to a more sustainable food system.
As the world grapples with the urgent need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, initiatives like this one demonstrate the potential for collaborative efforts to drive significant change. By combining Yara’s expertise in crop nutrition with PepsiCo’s commitment to sustainability, this partnership represents a critical step towards a more sustainable and resilient agricultural sector. The focus on precision farming and nutrient management will ensure that farmers can continue to produce high-quality crops while minimizing their environmental impact, paving the way for a net-zero food system in the future.