Foods Firm Cuts Carbon Emissions By 5%, Targets Net Zero by 2060

Rite Foods Limited has announced measurable progress across its environmental, social and governance (ESG) commitments, disclosing that it reduced its greenhouse gas emissions by five per cent in 2025 while increasing spending on community development programmes by 50 per cent to N581.92 million.

Presenting the company’s 2025 Sustainability Report, company officials said the beverage manufacturer also achieved a 23 per cent reduction in carbon intensity and reaffirmed its commitment to attaining net-zero carbon emissions by 2060.

The report was presented by Head of Corporate Affairs and Sustainability at Rite Foods Limited, Ekuma Eze who disclosed that the company was set to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2060 by controlling waste from supply chains emissions.

According to the report, the company’s total greenhouse gas emissions declined by five per cent year-on-year, while carbon intensity, measured in grams of carbon dioxide emitted per litre of beverage produced fell by 23 per cent.

Recognising water as a finite resource, the company said it reduced water consumption across its operations by 15 per cent between 2024 and 2025 through continuous monitoring and improved operational efficiency.

Energy efficiency also improved during the period under review, with energy consumption declining by seven per cent. The company said it reduced its energy-use ratio from 0.44 megajoules per litre of beverage in 2024 to 0.41 megajoules per litre in 2025.

On waste management, Rite Foods reported a 27 per cent reduction in solid waste generation, lowering waste intensity from 10.6 grams per litre of beverage produced in 2024 to 7.71 grams in 2025.

The company also intensified efforts to tackle plastic pollution through recycling initiatives and industry partnerships.

Under its “Rite on the Beach” project, implemented in partnership with Hope Beach Club, more than 42 tonnes of plastic waste were recovered from coastal communities across Lagos in 2025.

In addition, its collaboration with the Food and Beverage Recycling Alliance (FBRA) contributed to the recovery of over 800 tonnes of plastic waste from the environment, with Rite Foods accounting for 558.2 tonnes.

Recovered plastics were converted into school bags distributed to more than 2,000 pupils across nine schools in Lagos State.

On the social impact front, the company said it spent N581.92 million on various corporate social investment programmes in 2025, representing a 50 per cent increase over the previous year.

The investments covered education, healthcare, women empowerment and community development initiatives.

Among the projects highlighted was a community learning centre that provides education and free meals to more than 400 pupils daily.

The company also distributed free drinking water to essential workers during World Water Day activities and supported the construction and equipping of a trauma centre at Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital through its chairman’s foundation, a project valued at over N2 billion.

Rite Foods said it continued to invest heavily in workforce development, recording a 76 per cent increase in employee training and capacity-building programmes in 2025.

Employment of residents from host communities also increased by 4.1 per cent, while the company’s total workforce grew by 6.1 per cent during the year.

The company noted that it launched a graduate trainee programme involving 20 young Nigerians to strengthen its future leadership pipeline.

Beyond direct employment, Rite Foods said its operations support thousands of jobs across its distribution, retail and supplier network, creating significant indirect employment opportunities throughout its value chain.

On governance, the company said it maintained a strong focus on integrity, regulatory compliance and enterprise risk management.

According to management, its board of directors continues to strengthen internal controls and oversight mechanisms to minimise fraud risks, ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations, and protect the company’s reputation.

The company said robust governance remains essential to sustaining its environmental and social achievemens while ensuring long-term business resilience.