Lieken GmbH

As part of the second Corporate Carbon Footprint (CCF) survey project, Lieken GmbH was faced with a new challenge: the consideration of so-called FLAG (Forest, Land, and Agriculture) emissions. These emissions are primarily caused by the use of agricultural raw materials required for the production of baked goods. As one of the leading companies in the baked goods industry, Lieken relies heavily on agricultural products, so FLAG emissions have a significant impact on the company’s overall emissions balance.

Accurately recording these emissions was a challenging task. It was necessary to collect activity data from various sources that had not previously been in focus, such as information on land use, forestry and specific agricultural practices.

To overcome these challenges, Lieken GmbH relied on the experience and expertise of DFGE, which provided the company with intensive support in data collection. Together, a structured approach was developed to collect all the relevant data required to calculate the FLAG emissions. It was particularly important to collect detailed information on the raw materials purchased, especially their countries of origin and local agricultural practices. Geographical origin plays a crucial role in quantifying emissions, as factors such as land use changes or the use of fertilizers vary from country to country.

DFGE provided clear guidance on data collection and helped Lieken to identify and close data gaps. This included not only standard information on raw material purchasing, but also additional data on specific FLAG-related aspects that were necessary for a complete calculation.

The first-time inclusion of SBTi FLAG emissions in Lieken’s corporate carbon footprint provided valuable insights into the extent to which agricultural processes in the supply chain contribute to the company’s environmental footprint. The detailed data on the land use changes caused by the cultivation of raw materials was particularly revealing. These emissions account for a significant proportion of the company’s total greenhouse gas emissions, as the change from forest to agricultural land causes particularly high CO₂ emissions. Thanks to the detailed survey, Lieken has now been able to precisely track these emissions and integrate them into its sustainability strategy.

The insights gained help Lieken to make its supply chain even more sustainable. The company is now in a position to identify emission-intensive raw materials and suppliers and develop targeted measures to reduce emissions. This includes, for example, selecting raw materials from regions where there is less land use change or giving preference to sustainable and certified products. These measures not only contribute to reducing the corporate carbon footprint, but also strengthen Lieken’s position in an increasingly sustainability-oriented market.

In addition, the results of the FLAG emissions calculation are a valuable basis for communication with stakeholders. They enable a transparent presentation of Lieken’s efforts to minimize the environmental impact of its production processes. With this precise data, the company can clearly demonstrate both internally and externally what steps it is taking to achieve its sustainability goals.