Silver Fern Farms, a leading player in the New Zealand meat industry, is headquartered in Dunedin, NZ. Founded in 2008, the company has rapidly established itself as a premier supplier of high-quality beef and lamb products, serving both domestic and international markets. With a strong focus on sustainability and animal welfare, Silver Fern Farms differentiates itself through its commitment to premium grass-fed meat, which is renowned for its exceptional flavour and tenderness. Operating across key regions in New Zealand, the company has achieved significant milestones, including numerous awards for product excellence. Silver Fern Farms is well-positioned in the market, recognised for its innovative supply chain practices and strong partnerships with local farmers. This dedication to quality and sustainability has solidified its reputation as a trusted brand among consumers and retailers alike.
How does Silver Fern Farms's carbon action stack up? DitchCarbon scores companies based on their carbon action and commitment to reducing emissions. Read about our methodology to learn more.
Mean score of companies in the General Meat Products industry. Comparing a company's score to the industry average can give you a sense of how well the company is doing compared to its peers.
Silver Fern Farms's score of 40 is higher than 92% of the industry. This can give you a sense of how well the company is doing compared to its peers.
In 2024, Silver Fern Farms reported total carbon emissions of approximately 4,932,666,410 kg CO2e. This figure includes Scope 1 emissions of about 47,983,600 kg CO2e, Scope 2 emissions of approximately 10,461,990 kg CO2e, and a significant contribution from Scope 3 emissions, which totalled around 4,874,220,820 kg CO2e. Notably, the majority of Scope 3 emissions stemmed from upstream transportation and distribution, accounting for about 4,777,965,060 kg CO2e. In 2023, the company’s total emissions were approximately 3,419,988,100 kg CO2e, with Scope 1 emissions at about 64,002,280 kg CO2e and Scope 2 emissions at approximately 11,472,100 kg CO2e. The Scope 3 emissions for that year were around 3,344,513,720 kg CO2e, again primarily driven by upstream transportation and distribution. Silver Fern Farms has set ambitious climate commitments, aiming for a 42.7% absolute reduction in Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2030, using 2021 as the baseline year. Additionally, the company targets a 32.5% reduction in absolute Scope 3 emissions by 2032, also from a 2021 baseline. Specific initiatives include a commitment to eliminate coal from operations by 2030 and a no-deforestation pledge for primary deforestation-linked commodities by December 31, 2025. These targets align with the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) and reflect the company's commitment to sustainable practices within the food production sector in New Zealand.
Access structured emissions data, company-specific emission factors, and source documents
| 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scope 1 | 64,530,880 | 00,000,000 | 00,000,000 | 00,000,000 | 00,000,000 |
| Scope 2 | 16,391,550 | 00,000,000 | 00,000,000 | 00,000,000 | 00,000,000 |
| Scope 3 | 18,412,000 | 00,000,000 | 0,000,000,000 | 0,000,000,000 | 0,000,000,000 |
Silver Fern Farms's Scope 3 emissions, which increased by 46% last year and increased significantly since 2020, demonstrating supply chain emissions tracking. Nearly all of their carbon footprint comes from suppliers and value chain emissions, representing nearly all emissions under the GHG Protocol, with "Upstream Transportation & Distribution" being the largest emissions source at 98% of Scope 3 emissions.
Climate goals typically focus on 2030 interim targets and 2050 net-zero commitments, aligned with global frameworks like the Paris Agreement and Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) to ensure alignment with global climate goals.
Silver Fern Farms has established climate goals through participation in recognized frameworks and target-setting initiatives. Companies often set interim 2030 targets and long-term 2050 net-zero goals to demonstrate measurable progress toward decarbonization.

Common questions about Silver Fern Farms's sustainability data and climate commitments