Dawn Meats awarded for sustainability
The award recognised the “key leadership role that Dawn Meats has played over many years in programs which advance the cause of ethical, environmental and economic sustainability in European beef production”, McDonald’s said.
Dawn produces more than 400 million beef burgers a year for McDonald’s with product destined for markets in Ireland, the UK and continental Europe.
This Global award is a first for McDonald’s and is the second occasion where Dawn Meats’ sustainability credentials have been recognised by the McDonald’s global leadership team.
The award was presented to Dawn Meats chief executive Niall Browne, group commercial director Richard Clinton and food safety and quality director Brian Hyland by McDonald’s corporate executive vice president Francesca DeBiase and vice president Keith Kenny.
Take collaborative action
Scale for Good is part of McDonald’s strategy to leverage its global reach with millions of customers, employees, franchisees, suppliers and other partners to take collaborative action on current social and environmental challenges.
McDonald’s was the first restaurant company in the world to address global climate change by setting a science-based target to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
To reach this target, McDonald’s will partner with franchisees and suppliers to reduce greenhouse gas emissions related to McDonald’s restaurants and offices by 36% by 2030.
Additionally, McDonald’s has committed to a 31% reduction in emissions intensity (per metric ton of food and packaging) across its supply chain by 2030 from 2015 levels.
Browne said: “We are delighted and honoured to accept this award on behalf of all the team at Dawn Meats.
‘Using our scale for good’
“As a business we have recognised for some time that doing the right thing and using our scale for good will build a more robust business for the future, for the benefit of our employees, customers and farmers.
“Our CSR strategy is aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, and in McDonald’s we have a true partner who is equally committed to furthering the achievement of these Goals. We look forward to continuing our progress in the coming years.”
Keith Kenny, vice president of sustainability at McDonald’s, added: “Improving the sustainability of how beef is produced for McDonald's is a key part of our Scale for Good strategy.
“Dawn Meats champions sustainable beef production, both through their actions and ambitions within their own supply chain and in their industry leadership, working with external bodies to define and develop sustainable farming techniques.”
Last year Dawn Meats' retail packing plant in South Wales secured ISO 50001 certification for its efficiencies in energy-use policy.
