Bel Group Partners with Environmental Organizations for Peatland Restoration in Jura
Source: The DairyNews
Bel Group, the renowned French dairy company, has initiated a collaborative effort with the CEN of Franche-Comté and the EPAGE of Haut-Doubs Haute-Loue and Doubs-Dessoubre to rejuvenate over 40 peatlands in the Jura region over the next six years.
The CEN of Franche-Comté, a non-profit organization dedicated to conserving the natural environment, and EPAGE, a public entity focused on water management, join hands with Bel Group in this endeavor aimed at revitalizing these wetlands renowned for biodiversity and their crucial role in water cycle preservation and carbon capture.
Aligned with its climate and biodiversity strategy, Bel aims to reduce carbon emissions across its value chain in accordance with the Paris Agreement's 1.5°C trajectory. Peatlands, covering only 3% of Earth's land surface but storing approximately one-third of the soil's carbon content, represent a significant asset in global climate mitigation efforts.
Bel's commitment to decarbonizing the food sector was underscored by its pledge in February 2022 to achieve carbon neutrality in its factories by 2025 and throughout its entire value chain by 2050. To realize this commitment, Bel has allocated approximately €10 million annually to support projects with positive environmental, social, and economic impacts.
In this latest project, Bel leverages the carbon sequestration potential of peatlands, particularly in the Jura region, its historical birthplace. The partnership is poised to accelerate peatland rehabilitation efforts, doubling the current rate of execution.
Antoine Fiévet, President of Bel Group, emphasized the critical role of peatlands in carbon sequestration, freshwater supply, and biodiversity preservation. He reiterated Bel's commitment to environmental responsibility and sustainability, viewing it as an investment in the longevity of the company's operations and its mission to provide healthier and more sustainable food options accessible to all.
Muriel Loriod-Bardi, President of the CEN of Franche-Comté, highlighted the significance of community involvement in peatland preservation, acknowledging the importance of collaboration in saving these precious natural environments and strengthening the local attachment to the territory.
Aligned with its climate and biodiversity strategy, Bel aims to reduce carbon emissions across its value chain in accordance with the Paris Agreement's 1.5°C trajectory. Peatlands, covering only 3% of Earth's land surface but storing approximately one-third of the soil's carbon content, represent a significant asset in global climate mitigation efforts.
Bel's commitment to decarbonizing the food sector was underscored by its pledge in February 2022 to achieve carbon neutrality in its factories by 2025 and throughout its entire value chain by 2050. To realize this commitment, Bel has allocated approximately €10 million annually to support projects with positive environmental, social, and economic impacts.
In this latest project, Bel leverages the carbon sequestration potential of peatlands, particularly in the Jura region, its historical birthplace. The partnership is poised to accelerate peatland rehabilitation efforts, doubling the current rate of execution.
Antoine Fiévet, President of Bel Group, emphasized the critical role of peatlands in carbon sequestration, freshwater supply, and biodiversity preservation. He reiterated Bel's commitment to environmental responsibility and sustainability, viewing it as an investment in the longevity of the company's operations and its mission to provide healthier and more sustainable food options accessible to all.
Muriel Loriod-Bardi, President of the CEN of Franche-Comté, highlighted the significance of community involvement in peatland preservation, acknowledging the importance of collaboration in saving these precious natural environments and strengthening the local attachment to the territory.
