Monsanto Company releases 2014 Sustainability Report

Monsanto Company recently released its 2014 Sustainability Report. Since announcing its first sustainability commitment framework in 2008, the company has advanced its three sustainability principles: (1) improving the lives of farmers, workers and communities, (2) producing enough food to make a balanced meal accessible to all, and (3) conserving Earth’s resources and preserving the natural environment.

“When it comes to growing food, members of the food value chain have a tremendous responsibility and opportunity to advance sustainable agriculture,” said Jesus Madrazo, Monsanto’s Vice President of Corporate Engagement. “At Monsanto, we are proud to share our sustainability progress in this report and prepare for the next phase of our journey.”

Monsanto also announced an operational greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions intensity goal as part of its broad commitment to sustainability. After reviewing the emission trends of the company’s operations, Monsanto has committed to reducing GHG emissions from its crop protection operations by 22 percent (per pound of active ingredient) by 2020. To reach this goal, Monsanto will focus on its crop protection operations segment – the largest contributor to the company’s carbon footprint, making it the place where the company can achieve the greatest positive impact.

“From the Inside Out” is the theme for the Monsanto 2014 Sustainability Report and some highlights represented in the report include:

• The company is tapping into its expertise to develop a broad range of solutions to help farmers produce better harvests. From traditional plant breeding and biotechnology to data science and agricultural biologicals, these solutions help overcome challenges around the world.
• Monsanto provides updates on how it is using resources more efficiently both inside the company’s own facilities and helping its farmer customers do the same. One example is the company’s pledge to increase irrigation water application efficiency across its global seed production process – including both its owned and leased operations, as well as the contract farms that grow seed for the company’s products – by 25 percent by 2020.
• Across the company, employees and partners are engaging in new conversations about improving health and nutrition. For example, the company created Leaders Engaged in Advancing Dialogue (LEAD) in 2014 to support regular conversations with food and nutrition professionals about the intersection of food, nutrition, health and agriculture.
• Monsanto invests in causes where it can make a genuine difference and improve lives. The company supports key initiatives designed to empower women and girls, which includes programs that encourage them to pursue careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) fields.
• Employees at Monsanto are dedicated to finding solutions that make life better today and contribute to a better tomorrow. The company embraces diversity and inclusion and works to protect the safety and rights of workers.

“Making sustainable agriculture work is part of our business model and practices, our collaborations, and the products we offer farmers,” said Madrazo. “We’re working with partners around the world to provide farmers with the tools they need to help nourish the world’s growing population.”

The Monsanto 2014 Sustainability Report was prepared in accordance with the Core option of the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) G4 voluntary Sustainability Reporting Guidelines, while incorporating many aspects of the Comprehensive option. The company built on its past materiality assessment to refresh and review the sustainability issues and topics that have the most impact on the success of its business and that are important to external stakeholders, which informed the 2014 report content.

The company has committed to issuing an annual GRI-based sustainability report and a United Nations Global Compact Communication on Progress. Monsanto joined the United Nations Global Compact in 2009.