Sustainability is important to us - naturally.

Our sustainability strategy

"Doing business sustainably - shaping the future". This is the guiding principle behind our actions in the area of sustainability. Sustainable management is an essential part of our company policy.

  • We know that our long-term success can only be maintained if we combine adding value with acting responsibly. Through this link, we strive to make a contribution to good quality food while helping to protect the living conditions of future generations.
  • We are committed to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
  • Sustainability is therefore our key focus. We take an integrated approach based on economic, environmental and social goals. Our sustainable business practices are based on these three pillars. We have an international focus in our activities because we want to take advantage of and shape the opportunities offered by open markets. At the same time, this commitment forms the basis for our long-term independence and operational autonomy. 

 

Our core values

  • We produce high-quality food for the gastronomy sector, the food retail trade and for the food processing industry. We use various resources to manufacture these products.
  • People are at the heart of everything we do. Our employees are a guarantee for safe and high-quality foodstuffs.
  • High-quality raw materials, tailored to the product, are another important factor in the manufacturing of our products.
  • The production of our raw materials and packaging materials should be as sustainable as possible.
  • We can have a significant influence on the ecological impact of our production through effective, extensive utilisation (yield) and minimisation of waste.
  • Our use of water, electricity, gas, and fuel has an impact on the environment. Among other things, this affects the so-called CO2 footprint. Our responsibility is to keep our CO2 footprint as low as possible. This is how we do our part to limit global warming.
  • In January 2023, as a company, we joined the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi) to combat climate change and committed to setting Net Zero targets.

Certified sustainable according to the ZNU standard

  • Since 2017, we have been certified according to the ZNU Standard - Driving Sustainable Change. This standard from the Center for Sustainable Corporate Management at Witten/Herdecke University helps us to structure, process and further develop our sustainability management programme.
  • As a member of the partner network of the Centre for Sustainable Business Management of the University of Witten/Herdecke, we try to work with other companies to build a better understanding of the importance of sustainable business management.

Further information is available at www.znu-standard.com

 

Climate Protection Strategy

As early as 2002, we began implementing climate protection measures as a company. For example, our energy management system has been certified in accordance with DIN EN ISO 50001:2018 since 2013. The acquisition of efficient production facilities and the conservation of resources along the value chain have been integral parts of the company’s sustainable business practices for many years.

  • Since 2018, we have calculated our emissions annually in accordance with the GHG Protocol.
  • By calculating our corporate emissions, we were able to identify key emission drivers and implement targeted reduction measures such as 100% use of electricity from renewable sources, the installation of photovoltaic systems on nearly all roof areas, and combined heat and power (CHP) plants.

In December 2023, the Wernsing Food Family joined the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) as a corporate group to combat climate change and committed to setting net-zero targets.

Good news: Wernsing Food Family GmbH & Co. KG has now officially had its science-based climate targets validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi).

As part of the Wernsing Food Family, Wernsing Feinkost GmbH is included in these science-based targets.

Our Climate Targets at Group Level

Wernsing Food Family has committed, among other things, to the following targets (base year: 2023):

  • Reduction of Scope 1 & 2 GHG emissions by 42% by 2030
  • Reduction of Scope 3 GHG emissions by approximately 30% by 2030
  • Long-term goal: Achieving net-zero GHG emissions by 2050

Important Context

The SBTi validation confirms the scientific credibility of the targets—but not emissions reductions already achieved. Implementation is carried out step by step across the group and is monitored transparently.

What Does This Mean for Wernsing?

We incorporate the group-wide climate targets into our business activities and contribute to their implementation. Climate protection is therefore strategically embedded in the ongoing development of the Wernsing Food Family.