Farming always comes with some level of GHG emissions. We do everything we can to minimize them where possible, such as:
Our reduction measures don’t stop here. The further optimization of our current reduction measures and the search for new reduction measures is a continuous process.
The remaining GHG emissions we offset through high quality credits from Climate Impact Partners. With these credits we’ve supported the following projects:
– Gyapa Cookstoves project in Ghana (Project ID 407, Protocol GS TPDDTEC v 2., Registry name: Gold Standard, Project type: avoidance/emission reduction). This project generates carbon credits by avoiding emissions from fuel use and deforestation in Ghana.
– Circle Gas Smart Meters in Kenya (Project ID 11330/11331, Protocol GS TPDDTEC v 2, Registry name: Gold Standard, Project type: avoidance/emission reduction). This project generates carbon credits by avoiding emissions from traditionally unsustainable fuels such as wood, charcoal, and kerosene.
Both projects are Gold Standard-certified – an international carbon standard endorsed by the International Carbon Reduction and Offset Alliance (ICROA) standards.
As a result of these emission reductions and through the purchase of carbon credits we are CarbonNeutral® product (not including use), in accordance with The CarbonNeutral Protocol.
We calculate our GHG emissions produced from cradle to first customer. This includes everything from feed production, farm operations to chick raising and egg packaging and transport to the Kroger distribution centers. Our carbon footprint does not include storage and distribution of the egg after it has arrived at the Kroger distribution centers, nor use of the eggs by consumers. Our impact report is verified according to the ISO 14040/14044 standards by an independent third party (Blonk, a Mérieux NutriSciences Company). We calculate our GHG emissions in compliance with The Carbon Neutral Protocol from Climate Impact Partners.
By using up-cycled feed, and replacing part of our on-farm energy use with our own solar electricity, the overall carbon footprint of the Kipster eggs is about 23% lower compared to using a conventional feed and only grey energy.* We are continuously working to further reduce our GHG emissions. For example, by searching for more sustainable feed ingredients and optimizing our barn’s energy efficiency.
*Based on the LCA results of our first completed flock round, a conventional feed consisting of roughly 65% high quality grains, 15% soybean meal, 10% upcycled ingrediënts and 10% other additives and a regional standard grey energy mix.
1. Chicken feed
Chicken feed is responsible for around 70% of the carbon footprint of an egg. Fertilizers, pesticides and ploughing of land all create GHG emissions. The cultivation, harvesting, transportation and processing of feed crops consume fossil fuels. Our feed has a footprint of about 29% less than conventional feed.* By using up-cycled feed we bypass using agricultural land as much as possible.
*Based on the LCA results of our first completed flock round and a conventional feed consisting of roughly 65% high quality grains, 15% soybean meal, 10% by-products of crop production and processing and 10% other additives.
2. Solar power
The roofs of our farms are covered with solar panels. In 2023, these panels provided 58% of our on-farm energy used. For the other 42% we bought a grey energy mix from the grid. Ultimately, we want to be able to make full use of green energy here, just like in the Netherlands.
3. Chicken litter
Manure is responsible for about 8% of our carbon footprint.* The manure is dried and stored at the farm. Farmers can then use it to fertilize their lands. We take the greenhouse gas emissions during storage into account.
*Based on the LCA results of our first completed flock round.
The carbon footprint of the Kipster eggs produced during our first completed flock round: :
(This includes solar energy sent to the grid: 282 tons of CO2 equivalents)
(including associated male pullets, spent hens and manure)
Please see the Kipster Impact Report 2023 for more information about the breakdown of the carbon footprint for the Kipster eggs.
