Reducing carbon footprint: energy saving and efficiency measures implemented by Chile Conscious Origin pork producers

Energy production is the main contributor to climate change, representing 60% of global greenhouse gas emissions. This is why white meat producers -including pork- that are part of the Chile Conscious Origin Program are promoting the use of non-conventional renewable energy, measuring their consumption, and developing management plans that directly impact their carbon footprint.

The last Saturday of March marks Earth Hour, a global initiative promoted by the WWF that started in 2007 in Sydney, Australia, and today is considered the largest voluntary action against climate change. Given the symbolic power of collective actions, every year Earth Hour invites people, companies, and organizations across the globe to switch off the lights in households, buildings, and monuments for one hour. This date invites people to reflect on the benefits of implementing energy saving and efficiency measures, and how companies can make a difference.

Energy efficiency is already consolidated as a tool to stop climate change, alongside the development of renewable energy and e-transport, making it possible to obtain the same energy goods and services using fewer resources. Optimizing processes, using eco-friendly products, and smart energy consumption are some of the initiatives with a substantial impact.

Coinciding with Earth Hour, which took place on Saturday March 25, Chile Conscious Origin (ChOC, in Spanish) and the companies that joined the program wanted to highlight some of the actions they are carrying out for energy efficiency.

Pork producers in particular have agreed to measure their farms’ energy consumption, identify the processes or areas that use the most energy, and develop an energy management plan (PdGE, in Spanish) to ensure sustainable energy management in the sector.

First, they need to set a baseline and performance indicators to quantify their improvements as part of the plan’s annual assessment. That way, they are able to measure their energy consumption and incorporate efficiency measures and renewable energy, where appropriate.

“Pork producers must implement concrete measures for energy efficiency. ChOC helps us plan, organize and measure our actions, promoting management plans that ensure a more sustainable future for our industry, with a baseline and performance indicators known from the start,” explains Daniela Álvarez, ChileCarne’s Sustainability Manager.

To learn more about what Chile Conscious Origin companies are doing, visit the program’s website www.chileorigenconsciente.cl.