Dole releases 2022 sustainability report, outlines long-term goals

Dublin-based Dole plc has released its first sustainability report since the 2021 merger of Total Produce plc and Dole Food Co.

The report sets out the organization’s refreshed sustainability framework and offers a new set of environmental, social and governance (ESG) goals through 2030, according to a news release.

“Although fresh produce has a low environmental footprint in comparison to other food sources, there is still much to do to further decrease our impacts and adapt to the effects of climate change,” Xavier Roussel, Dole plc’s chief marketing and sustainability officer, said in the report. “We are addressing those challenges for the long term with likeminded partners along the supply chain. Our vertically integrated business model allows us to research much in our own operations before expanding to our associated farmers which is instrumental to lead change in the industry.”

The Dole Way, Dole’s sustainability framework, focuses on robust governance and the pillars of For Nature, For People and For Food, the release said. Those pillars cover environmental, ethical and social and nutrition related issues and incorporate key areas identified as being most material to the impact of Dole’s business’ operations.

The company said its goals include:

• For Nature: By committing to the Science Based Target Initiative, Dole plc places climate action at the forefront of its priorities along with water stewardship, biodiversity, waste management and packaging reduction and innovation.
• For People: Directly employing 38,500 people globally while partnering with third-party growers worldwide, Dole is committed to being an employer of choice, supporting local communities and protecting human rights across its supply chains.
• For Food: Dole is committing to promoting healthy nutrition and improving access to fresh produce through partnerships and donations.

“Dole has built market-leading positions across a wide range of fresh fruit and vegetable segments by incorporating sustainability into their growth models,” Rory Byrne, Dole plc CEO, said in the release. “As our climate is changing, we are focused on identifying the related risks, adapting to the effects on our operations and minimizing our own impacts. We also recognize and relish the special role we can play in improving people’s lives and the contribution Dole can make to promoting good health and wellbeing.”

The report also lays the foundation for the promotion of regenerative farming practices across Dole’s own operations as well as on associated farms, which will support the business’ ambitious climate goals, the release said.

The release said highlights of the sustainability report include Dole plc’s:

• First global carbon footprint collection including measuring and managing Scope 1, Scope 2 and Scope 3 emissions, resulting in a reduction of 4% in Scope 1 and 2 emissions (2021 over 2020).
• Investment in Renewal Energy with two 2.8-megawatt wind turbines in Dole Fresh Vegetables in Soledad, Calif., and installed new solar panel system at Belfast, Ireland, site with a capacity of 120 kWp.
• Recognition by American-Costa Rican Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) of Dole affiliate, Standard Fruit Company de Costa Rica S.A., for their innovative project "De la Mano con Dole." The project positively impacts the social development of employees and their families using the Business Multidimensional Poverty Index (bMPI) methodology which measures poverty beyond only per capita income — to include access to health, education, housing, work, social protection and 16 other key indicators.