The business has pledged to hit sustainability targets to reduce its energy intensity by 40% and CO2 emissions intensity by 50% by 2025. The award, by Certification Europe, recognises Dawn’s comprehensive energy management system across eight of its Irish processing sites.
Energy audits were conducted across each location and are being used as the baseline against which future reductions will be measured through a series of improvements, including heat recovery systems and investment in low energy infrastructure.
The success of the energy management system has been achieved by teamwork and a commitment to excellence, with an ‘energy champion’ leading the project at each location. The sites vary in activity type, ranging from beef and lamb primary processing to production of retail-ready fresh and frozen consumer packs and processing of animal by-products.
Niall Browne, CEO of Dawn Meats, said: “The team at Dawn Meats underwent a rigorous audit process with Certification Europe to progress our ambition to be Europe’s most sustainable meat company. Achieving certification to ISO 50001 standard is a clear recognition of the company’s commitment, coupled with the energy champions and site teams directly involved.”
Jim Gannon, CEO of Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), added: “In taking a structured approach to energy management, organisations like Dawn Meats have direct sight of what cost savings can be delivered. Approaching energy management through a certification process, visible to suppliers and customers alike, allows companies to enjoy enhanced recognition of their achievements, providing an even greater competitive advantage in the marketplace. I want to congratulate the whole team at Dawn Meats for achieving ISO 50001 certification.”
Tara McCarthy, CEO of Bord Bía, praised Dawn Meats for its efforts.
“Every year verified Origin Green member companies like Dawn Meats, commit to ambitious sustainability targets,” she said. “The achievement of ISO 50001 certification further validates Dawn Meats' sustainability credentials and is clear recognition of a significant and embedded culture of continuous improvement in the company.”