TreeHouse Foods Publishes Inaugural Environmental, Social & Governance Report, Commits to 2025 Goals

Rhea-AI Summary

TreeHouse Foods (NYSE: THS) has released its 2020 Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG) Report, showcasing significant strides in sustainability goals, including a 21% reduction in carbon emissions and a 6% decrease in water intensity from 2016 to 2019. The company has also introduced Agenda 2025, focusing on five areas: ESG integration, transparency, responsible supply chain, employee welfare, and sustainable packaging. These initiatives aim to enhance stakeholder communication and address social and environmental challenges amid global issues. More details are available on their corporate website.

Positive

• Carbon dioxide emissions decreased by 21% from 2016 to 2019.
• Water intensity decreased by 6% across all facilities except one from 2016 to 2019.
• Landfill diversion rate increased from 59% in 2016 to 78% in 2019.
• Agenda 2025 outlines specific goals for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving diversity and inclusion.

Negative

• None.

OAK BROOK, Ill., Dec. 15, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- TreeHouse Foods (NYSE: THS) announced today that it has published its 2020 Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG) Report, which builds on the Company's previous Sustainability reports, and highlights the Company's accomplishments and the ways in which it is enabling progress and sustainable growth in the communities it serves. The report also addresses TreeHouse's goals for the next four years around Environmental, Social & Governance issues. In conjunction, the Company also launched a dedicated section of its corporate website to inform stakeholders about its ESG efforts.

"The events of this year, from the COVID-19 pandemic to global protests against racial injustice to the growing threat of climate change, have all underscored the need for companies like TreeHouse Foods, Inc. to be an example of what is possible," said Steve Oakland, Chief Executive Officer and President. "We must leverage our scale, capabilities, and influence to help address these complex social and environmental challenges. As one of the nation's leading private label food manufacturers, we approach this call-to-action with the same passion and commitment that we bring to exceeding customer expectations. To that end, I am pleased to share an update on our progress and our holistic ESG strategy."

In 2016, TreeHouse set environmental sustainability goals for its North America manufacturing operations focused on energy intensity, water intensity, and waste contribution to landfills. Despite facing challenges, TreeHouse reported meaningful progress related to the following:

• Carbon dioxide emissions decreased by 21% from 2016 to 2019
• Water intensity across all facilities, except one, decreased by 6% from 2016 to 2019
• Landfill diversion rate increased from 59% in 2016 to 78% in 2019

In addition, TreeHouse outlined Agenda 2025, developed through a more robust and holistic approach to environmental stewardship, stakeholder value creation and enterprise governance. The 2025 goals were developed with the help of cross-functional ESG subcommittees and apply the learnings from the Company's materiality analysis. Agenda 2025 will guide the ESG strategy for the next four years, and identifies five key areas of focus that will have the greatest impact across the organization:

• ESG Integration – Created an internal governance structure that includes Board and Executive oversight to ensure that the entire business is aligned around and agreed upon the ESG strategy and its importance
• Transparency and Disclosure – Provide consistent and regular communication on ESG performance, using respected disclosure frameworks, so that key stakeholders are aware of the Company's efforts and able to make informed decisions
• Supply Chain and Operations – Develop a responsible sourcing program that defines expectations for supplies and ensures the Company is proactively addressing environmental and social risks
• Employee Engagement and Welfare – Create strategies and programs that elevate the importance of diversity and inclusion, employee safety and wellbeing and environmental health and safety at all sites and offices
• Plastics and Packaging – Committed to the development of sustainable packaging options that are recyclable, recycled and compostable, and at the same time, meet customer expectations

Additional highlights from the 2025 vision include targeted achievement goals related to the reduction of greenhouses gas emissions and water intensity, expansion of its responsible sourcing policy and practices, and further development of its diversity, equality, and inclusion goals.

For more information, visit https://www.treehousefoods.com/esg/esg-overview/default.aspx. The 2020 Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG) Report is available at https://www.treehousefoods.com/esg/2020-esg-report/default.aspx.

ABOUT TREEHOUSE FOODS

TreeHouse Foods, Inc. is a leading manufacturer and distributor of private label packaged foods and beverages in North America.  We have nearly 40 production facilities across North America and Italy, and our vision is to be the undisputed solutions leader for custom brands for our customers.  Our extensive product portfolio includes snacking, beverages and meal preparation products, available in shelf stable, refrigerated, frozen and fresh formats. We have a comprehensive offering of packaging formats and flavor profiles, and we also offer clean label, organic and preservative-free ingredients across almost our entire portfolio.  Our purpose is to make high quality food and beverages affordable to all.

Additional information, including TreeHouse's most recent statements on Forms 10-Q and 10-K, may be found at TreeHouse's website, http://www.treehousefoods.com.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This press release contains "forward-looking" statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements and other information are based on our beliefs, as well as assumptions made by us, using information currently available. The words "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "project," "expect," "intend," "plan," "should," and similar expressions, as they relate to us, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such statements reflect our current views with respect to future events and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties, and assumptions. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein as anticipated, believed, estimated, expected, or intended. We do not intend to update these forward-looking statements following the date of this press release.

Such forward-looking statements, because they relate to future events, are by their very nature subject to many important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements contained in this press release and other public statements we make. Such factors include, but are not limited to: risks related to the impact of the recent COVID-19 outbreak on our business, suppliers, consumers, customers and employees; the success of our restructuring programs, our level of indebtedness and related obligations; disruptions in the financial markets; interest rates; changes in foreign currency exchange rates; customer concentration and consolidation; raw material and commodity costs; competition; disruptions or inefficiencies in our supply chain and/or operations, including from the recent COVID-19 outbreak; our ability to continue to make acquisitions in accordance with our business strategy; changes and developments affecting our industry, including consumer preferences; the outcome of litigation and regulatory proceedings to which we may be a party; product recalls; changes in laws and regulations applicable to us; disruptions in or failures of our information technology systems; labor strikes or work stoppages; and other risks that are set forth in the Risk Factors section, the Legal Proceedings section, the Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations section, and other sections of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019, and from time to time in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You are cautioned not to unduly rely on such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made when evaluating the information presented in this press release. TreeHouse expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to disseminate any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statement contained herein, to reflect any change in its expectations with regard thereto, or any other change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any statement is based.

View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/treehouse-foods-publishes-inaugural-environmental-social--governance-report-commits-to-2025-goals-301192631.html

SOURCE TreeHouse Foods, Inc.

FAQ

What are the main highlights of TreeHouse Foods' 2020 ESG Report?

TreeHouse Foods' 2020 ESG Report highlights a 21% reduction in carbon emissions, a 6% decrease in water intensity, and a landfill diversion rate increase from 59% to 78%.

What is Agenda 2025 by TreeHouse Foods?

Agenda 2025 is a strategic initiative by TreeHouse Foods focusing on ESG integration, transparency, supply chain sustainability, employee welfare, and sustainable packaging.

How does TreeHouse Foods plan to address climate change?

TreeHouse Foods aims to address climate change through its Agenda 2025 goals, which include significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and enhanced sustainable practices.

How has TreeHouse Foods responded to social issues?

TreeHouse Foods has emphasized the importance of diversity, inclusion, and employee well-being in its ESG strategy, particularly in response to global social justice movements.