Nomad Foods Exceeds SBTi Emissions Target by Almost Double

Frozen food group exceeds science-based carbon target by 63%

Nomad Foods has cut greenhouse gas emissions by more than 40% against its 2019 baseline. The result exceeds the company’s original Science Based Targets initiative goal by a wide margin. Nomad owns Birds Eye, Findus, iglo and several other frozen food brands sold across Europe.

The company set an interim target in 2021 to reduce absolute emissions by 25% by 2025. It has now reported a 40.8% reduction in absolute terms and a 37.4% fall in emissions intensity. Both figures use 2019 as the reference year.

In September 2025, the Science Based Targets initiative validated Nomad’s updated pathway to net zero by 2050. The approval includes new targets across operations and supply chains. These replace the original short-term goals announced four years earlier.

Original targets set in 2021 covered operations and suppliers

Nomad Foods committed to science-based targets in 2021. The company aligned its strategy with the Business Ambition for 1.5°C campaign and the UN-backed Race to Zero initiative.

The initial targets included three main commitments. First, a 25% absolute reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2025 compared to 2019 levels. Second, a 45% cut in emissions per tonne of product across Scope 1, 2 and 3 categories. Third, a requirement for suppliers representing 75% of emissions to develop their own science-based targets by 2025.

At the time, CEO Stéfan Descheemaeker said the company would almost halve emissions per tonne of product by focusing on 2025 milestones. He also committed to ensuring major suppliers set reduction targets.

The 2021 announcement positioned Nomad as an early mover in the frozen food sector. However, the real test would come in delivery. Many companies set ambitious goals. Fewer achieve them ahead of schedule.

Performance exceeded the original goal by more than 15 percentage points

Nomad’s 2025 update shows the company achieved a 40.8% absolute emissions reduction. That result is 15.8 percentage points above the original 25% target. Emissions intensity fell by 37.4% over the same period.

The Science Based Targets initiative validated the company’s long-term net zero pathway in September 2025. Consequently, Nomad now operates under renewed targets that extend to 2050.

The new commitments include a 90% absolute reduction in Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2050, using 2019 as the baseline. Scope 3 non-forest, land and agriculture emissions must fall by 90% over the same period. Scope 3 FLAG emissions, which cover farming and land use, require a 72% reduction.

Nomad also reported progress toward 100% renewable electricity across all sites by 2030. The company had reached 96.8% renewable electricity coverage by mid-2025, according to trade reporting.

These figures suggest the business achieved early reductions faster than originally planned. Moreover, the results show that decarbonization continued during a period when production volumes remained stable or grew.

Efficiency gains and renewable energy drove early progress

Nomad’s earlier disclosures identify several operational changes behind the emissions decline. Improved waste management and materials reuse contributed to lower carbon intensity. Production efficiency gains reduced energy consumption per unit of output. Increased renewable energy adoption replaced fossil fuel use across manufacturing sites.

In 2020 alone, the company cut carbon emissions per tonne of finished goods by more than 20%. Absolute emissions fell by around 11% despite higher production volumes driven by pandemic demand. Therefore, the business demonstrated it could reduce emissions without constraining output.

The company’s broader sustainability reporting links decarbonization to energy management, waste reduction and supply chain engagement. These measures affect multiple emission sources rather than targeting a single area. As a result, the approach appears to have delivered reductions across Scope 1, 2 and parts of Scope 3.

Renewable energy procurement has been a particularly visible element. The shift from fossil fuel electricity to renewable sources directly reduces Scope 2 emissions. Consequently, it provides a measurable impact relatively quickly compared to supply chain interventions.

Validated net zero pathway increases scrutiny on future targets

Science Based Targets initiative validation matters because it applies recognized climate science methodologies to corporate targets. Companies must demonstrate that their reduction pathways align with limiting global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. The process involves third-party assessment of baseline data, target ambition and planned actions.

Nomad’s validated pathway includes separate treatment for FLAG emissions. These emissions come from farming, land use and raw material sourcing. They are typically harder to reduce than energy-related emissions from factories or transport.

The 72% reduction target for FLAG emissions reflects this difficulty. It is lower than the 90% target for other Scope 3 categories. Nevertheless, it still requires substantial changes in agricultural practices, sourcing decisions and supplier engagement.

The company must now deliver on these longer-term commitments. Early success against the 2025 target provides momentum. However, the final 50% of emissions reductions often prove harder than the first 50%. Deep decarbonization requires changes beyond operational efficiency and renewable energy procurement.

What overachieving an SBTi target tells us about food sector decarbonization

Nomad’s results show that a large frozen food business can reduce absolute emissions substantially over four years. This outcome challenges the assumption that packaged food companies must accept rising emissions as production scales.

The company maintained or grew output during the period when emissions fell by more than 40%. Pandemic demand in 2020 drove higher volumes. Therefore, the emissions reductions occurred during a period of operational pressure rather than contraction.

The food sector faces unique decarbonization challenges. Emissions come from energy use in manufacturing and cold storage. They also come from farming, land use change, packaging and distribution. Consequently, no single intervention can deliver deep cuts across all categories.

Nomad’s approach combined direct operational changes with supply chain engagement. The company required major suppliers to develop science-based targets. This shifts some responsibility for Scope 3 reductions upstream. However, it also creates dependencies on supplier action beyond Nomad’s direct control.

The renewable energy transition delivered measurable impact on Scope 2 emissions. Reaching 96.8% renewable electricity by 2025 eliminated most fossil fuel electricity. Nevertheless, Scope 3 emissions from agriculture and raw materials remain the largest challenge ahead.

FLAG emissions present the hardest decarbonization test

FLAG emissions include greenhouse gases from farming, forestry and land use. These emissions often represent the majority of a food company’s carbon footprint. They come from sources such as methane from livestock, nitrous oxide from fertilizers and land use change.

Reducing FLAG emissions requires action by farmers and primary producers. Food manufacturers can influence these emissions through procurement standards, supplier incentives and technical support. However, they do not directly control farming practices in most cases.

Nomad’s 72% reduction target for FLAG emissions by 2050 reflects this reality. The target is ambitious but recognizes that some agricultural emissions are difficult to eliminate entirely. Residual emissions may require offsetting or removal strategies to reach net zero.

The company will likely need to work with agricultural suppliers on regenerative practices, lower-emission farming methods and land use management. These changes take time to implement and verify. Therefore, progress on FLAG emissions will be slower than progress on energy-related emissions.

Five key points about Nomad Foods’ updated climate targets

• Nomad Foods cut absolute greenhouse gas emissions by 40.8% against a 2019 baseline, exceeding its original 25% interim target set for 2025.
• The Science Based Targets initiative validated the company’s net zero pathway in September 2025, with targets extending to 2050 across Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions.
• The company achieved 96.8% renewable electricity coverage by 2025 and aims to reach 100% by 2030, directly reducing Scope 2 emissions from operations.
• New long-term targets require a 90% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2050, plus a 90% cut in Scope 3 non-FLAG emissions and 72% reduction in FLAG emissions.
• Early progress came from operational efficiency, waste management, renewable energy adoption and supplier engagement, but deeper cuts will require sustained action on agricultural and supply chain emissions.

Implications for food manufacturers and their supply chains

Nomad’s results demonstrate that substantial emissions reductions are achievable in the food sector within a four-year period. Consequently, other frozen food manufacturers and packaged goods companies may face increased scrutiny on their own targets.

The case also shows that renewable energy procurement delivers measurable impact relatively quickly. Companies with significant electricity use in manufacturing or cold storage can reduce Scope 2 emissions through renewable electricity contracts. However, this addresses only part of the total footprint.

Supply chain emissions remain the larger challenge. Food companies typically find that Scope 3 emissions from raw materials, packaging and distribution exceed emissions from their own operations. Therefore, decarbonization strategies must extend beyond factory energy use.

Supplier engagement becomes critical for Scope 3 reductions. Nomad required its top suppliers by emissions to develop science-based targets. This approach cascades climate ambition through the supply chain. However, it also depends on supplier willingness and capacity to set and meet targets.

UK food manufacturers face additional pressures from public procurement rules and customer expectations. Carbon reporting requirements for public sector suppliers now include Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions. Companies bidding for government contracts must demonstrate credible reduction plans.

Retailers increasingly expect suppliers to provide carbon data for products. Some require science-based targets or net zero commitments as part of supplier standards. Consequently, food manufacturers without clear decarbonization strategies may lose access to major customers.

Questions UK food businesses should be asking

Nomad’s progress raises practical questions for other food manufacturers. Have you established a verified baseline for Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions? Without accurate baseline data, you cannot measure progress or set credible targets.

Do your emissions reduction plans distinguish between different categories of Scope 3 emissions? FLAG emissions require different interventions than transport or packaging emissions. A single approach will not address all sources effectively.

Have you mapped where your emissions come from across the supply chain? Many food businesses discover that the majority of their footprint sits upstream in raw material production. Therefore, decarbonization must focus on procurement and supplier engagement.

Are your major suppliers developing their own reduction plans? If your company sets a science-based target but your suppliers do not, you will struggle to reduce Scope 3 emissions. Supplier targets must align with your own commitments.

Can you access renewable electricity for manufacturing sites and cold storage facilities? Switching to renewable electricity is often the fastest way to reduce Scope 2 emissions. UK businesses can procure renewable electricity through power purchase agreements or renewable tariffs.

Does your current reporting meet the expectations of customers and public sector buyers? ESG compliance requirements continue to expand. Companies that report only Scope 1 and 2 emissions may not satisfy tender criteria or customer standards.

What Science Based Targets initiative validation involves

The Science Based Targets initiative provides a framework for companies to set emissions reduction targets consistent with climate science. Targets must align with pathways that limit global warming to 1.5°C or well below 2°C.

Companies submit targets for validation after establishing baseline emissions. The SBTi assesses whether the proposed reductions are ambitious enough to meet climate goals. It also checks that the methodology follows recognized standards and covers appropriate emission scopes.

Validation adds credibility to corporate climate commitments. It shows that targets are not just aspirational statements but measurable goals based on science. Moreover, it provides third-party verification of the company’s approach.

However, validation applies to the target itself, not to actual emissions reductions. A company can have validated targets but still fail to meet them. Therefore, regular reporting on progress matters as much as the initial target setting.

The SBTi distinguishes between near-term targets, typically covering five to ten years, and long-term net zero targets extending to 2050. Companies often set interim targets first, then develop longer-term pathways once they have demonstrated progress.

For food companies, the SBTi framework includes specific guidance on FLAG emissions. This recognizes that agricultural emissions require different treatment than energy or transport emissions. Consequently, food businesses must separate FLAG emissions when setting reduction targets.

Where to find guidance on food sector emissions and science-based targets

UK food manufacturers seeking to develop emissions reduction strategies can access several authoritative resources. The Science Based Targets initiative website provides detailed guidance on setting and validating targets, including specific criteria for the food and agriculture sector.

The UK government’s Greening Government Commitments outline carbon reduction expectations for public sector suppliers. These requirements increasingly influence procurement decisions across central and local government.

The Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) offers practical guidance on reducing food waste, improving packaging and cutting emissions across the food supply chain. Its resources help businesses identify specific interventions that reduce both waste and carbon.

Businesses looking to understand renewable energy options should consult Ofgem’s guidance on Renewable Energy Guarantees of Origin (REGO). This explains how renewable electricity tariffs and certificates work in the UK market.

Companies that need support with carbon measurement, reduction planning and compliance may benefit from working with advisors who understand both food sector operations and emerging reporting standards. This helps ensure that strategies address the full emissions footprint rather than focusing only on easy wins.