Climate change is one of society’s greatest challenges. It is also one of the greatest risks to the future of our business. Climate change is accelerating, leading to more frequent and intense extreme weather events and the decarbonisation of our economies is disrupting all industries including agriculture, presenting both challenges and opportunities. The global population continues to rise. Since 1960, food production has quadrupled with a negligible increase in agricultural land use. Without the innovations of the plant science industry, more land would be required to produce the same amount of food.
Nufarm is finding opportunities in these challenging times, with Nufarm’s innovation and solutions lying at the intersection of these megatrends.
While Nufarm global’s Nuseed division contributes to bio-energy and land based Omega-3, Nufarm NZ’s sustainability committee has focused on local sustainability projects that reduce our carbon footprint and produce native plants. With a target of a 30 per cent reduction in GHG emission by 2030 in mind, we began changing our Nufarm fleet to hybrids. The hybrids are saving more than thirty per cent in fuel costs and emissions. A Nufarm territory manager commented that he goes to the petrol station half as often as when he had a diesel vehicle since receiving a new Toyota Highlander hybrid last year. Other emissions savings have come from switching to electric reach trucks and installing solar panels at the Nufarm South Island distribution centre.
Nufarm’s marketing team have worked with many channel partners to implement innovative initiatives that incorporate sustainability to engage with all stakeholders of the business looking to act against climate change.
Some of the initiatives have included promotions involving:
- supporting Trees for Survival
- providing native plant vouchers
- growing and distributing native plants around the county.
In 2023 ‘Doing for Wright for Waterways’ saw 100,000 Manuka trees sown for waterway protection all over New Zealand. Native Manuka seeds are grown into seedlings and then distributed by Nufarm based on customer purchases and demand. The seedlings were destined for farms around NZ but Nufarm’s Marketing Manager commented “The other outcome we found really satisfying was the number of trees donated by farmers to local school and community plantings as a result of Doing Wright by Waterways last year. ” Manuka is known to increase water filtration, reduce erosion and reduce pathogens and nitrates leaching into waterways.
For more information, download our Sustainability brochure.
Outlining Nufarm’s global goals andinitiatives for a better future, local intitiatives, and sustainability performance to date.
