We are committed to supporting a holistic approach to farming focused on outcomes measurement and continuous improvement rather than inputs. At Silver Fern Farms we are underpinning our approach to nature positive in four key areas, which align with the New Zealand Farm Assurance Programme Plus (NZFAP+) standard and will help us continue to meet consumer expectations for premium quality, sustainably grown red meat. These are:

• Climate & Emissions
• Biodiversity
• Soil Health 
• Water Quality
• Animal Welfare

Under our Sustainability Action Plan commitments, we will have zero coal usage by 2030 and we will halve our emissions from coal over the next two years.

We have committed to a 1.5-degree science-aligned reduction target to reduce our combined Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions by 42% by 2030 (from a 2020 base year).

In 2023 we will be setting a full Scope 3 emissions target inclusive of livestock emissions. We think this will be a game-changer.

'Net Carbon Zero by Nature' is New Zealand's first certified grass-fed, end-to-end Net Carbon Zero red meat, where the equivalent of 100% of end-to-end emissions have been absorbed by trees growing within the farms where the animals were raised. We are using whole-of farm thinking to utilise all woody vegetation on farms to provide positive benefit.​

Silver Fern Farms are supporting and incentivising our farmers to protect, restore and add to the amount of native bush and tree plantings – gullies, riparian areas, fence lines, summer shade and shelter belts, so that our farm environments are better able to capture carbon, and become more biodiverse. 

What is ‘Net Carbon Zero by Nature’? 

'Net Carbon Zero by Nature' means that the total emissions generated by each kilogram of product sold, need to be balanced to net zero, by actively growing permanent vegetation (removals) occurring on the group of farms that supply the product. ​

To achieve and maintain our Net Carbon Zero by Nature certification, these emissions and removals need to be independently measured and verified, from plate to pasture and we need to commit to reducing these emissions over time.​

• Silver Fern Farms' Climate Change Risk and Opportunities Disclosure
• Silver Fern Farms' Carbon Roadmap
• Silver Fern Farms' Climate Action and Transition Targets and Pathways
• Silver Fern Farms’ 2022 Greenhouse Gas Inventory
• Silver Fern Farms' 2023 Greenhouse Gas Inventory (Data Update)

We know that effective collaboration and learning from others is essential in working towards a more sustainable future. Silver Fern Farms is proud to be a:

• Foundation members of the Climate Leaders Coalition
• Leading partner of the Aotearoa Circle
• Founding signatory to the Kai Commitment on food waste
• Founding partner in the AgriZero NZ methane reduction joint venture
• Member of the Sustainable Business Council
• Founding participant of the New Zealand Roundtable for Sustainable Beef 
• Founding Corporate Member of The Prince of Wales's Business & Sustainability Programme in Australia - Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership