Preserving the planet

How "Serving the Earth" will transform our Group

09.07.21

Copy the URL

Copié vers le presse-papier

Author

Jean-Philippe Puig

CEO of Avril SCA

It all started with our employees questioning us. In 2017, they asked us about our business model and our vision for the future. “What does it mean to work at Avril?” No company director can ignore such a question, simple though it may be. It is our role, I would even say our responsibility, to respond to this legitimate search for meaning. Because all of us, regardless of our profession, position, age or gender, have the same need to know why we are getting up in the morning.

This Group, which was created by agriculturalists with a vision in the early 1980s, has never questioned its usefulness to the world. It seems so obvious, so intrinsic to what it is and does, as it has been at the heart of its mission for nearly 40 years: to feed people and animals and to protect the planet.

But the world has changed. And now more than ever, companies have a role to play in responding to the current challenges, which go beyond national borders. The climate emergency and demographic growth, due to the pressure it puts on our planet’s resources, are the two main challenges of our constantly developing world. Solutions will be found only by working together. And it is our responsibility, our duty to contribute to that and to support this movement.

So we have chosen to reaffirm the power to act inherent in our original mission, through our purpose. Because at Avril, in the 19 countries where we operate, we take action every day to Serve the Earth.

“Serving the Earth” is our purpose, our reason for acting, and it compels us. That’s why it’s being accompanied and concretely embodied by six priorities for action, to which our Group is already committed on a daily basis.

Taking action for agriculture that respects the planet

Because we believe in a form of agriculture that feeds people while respecting the planet, we are committed to being the link with producers that allows for dialogue and builds solutions, for healthy food and fair pay for farmers' work.

Taking action to protect natural resources and biodiversity

Because we will continue to import agricultural raw materials that cannot be produced locally and come from countries at risk of deforestation or conversion of endangered ecosystems, we are committed to ensuring that 100% of our palm and soya supplies come from sustainable agriculture by 2030.

Taking action to develop local sectors

Because we care about keeping our regions dynamic, we are committed to speeding up the development of the local supply chains in all our fields of activity, from 2025 for 100% of our edible oils when the raw materials exist locally.

Taking action for our investments' impact

Because we want to have a positive impact on the regions and the environment, we are committed to ensuring that by 2030, 100% of our investments, whether industrial or financial, are based on economic, environmental and social criteria.

Taking action for the Climate

Because we support the United Nations' objective of limiting global warming to 2°C, which is part of the Paris Agreements, we are committed to reducing all our direct and indirect greenhouse gas emissions by 30% by 2030.

Taking action for a collective and inclusive project

Because we believe in the strength of the collective, which is the origin of our model and our governance, we are committed to maintaining a constant and challenging dialogue with all our stakeholders.

These commitments are a source of inspiration for our employees, because they give meaning to our action. Firmly focused on the world around us, they will help us make decisions, compel us to do or stop doing certain things, and teach us how to do things in other ways, differently, so we can take up the challenge of this ambition collectively.

This is a crucial step in the Group’s history and it starts today. It will transform Avril profoundly, shake things up, challenge us, change our viewpoints and open up new horizons for us, in line with our ambition.

Because to be the leader in plant-based solutions for the food, agricultural and environmental transitions is Serving the Earth.