Yum China Submits Near-Term Science-Based GHG Emissions Reduction Targets for Validation

Yum China Holdings, Inc. (the “Company” or “Yum China”,NYSE: YUMC and HKEX: 9987) today issued its fifth annual sustainability report. Yum China’s 2021 Sustainability Report highlights the Company’s commitment to sustainability and provides an overview of progress made in 2021 towards its sustainability goals.

Yum China formally submitted the near-term science-based greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets to the Science Based Target Initiative (SBTi) for validation on 8^th June, 2022. The specific targets, in line with criteria and recommendations of SBTi, are expected to be announced before the end of 2022 following official approval from SBTi. The targets will provide a clearly defined pathway for Yum China to reach net-zero value chain GHG emissions by 2050.  

See related article: Country Garden Releases 2021 Sustainability Report

“As we continue to navigate the challenges brought by COVID-19, we remain steadfast in our long-term commitment to sustainability and sustainable growth,” said Joey Wat, CEO of Yum China. “We will continue to collaborate with stakeholders across the value chain to transform and find innovative solutions for sustainable growth. I am confident that together we will continue to make meaningful progress towards a more sustainable future.” 

Focusing on areas where the Company’s expertise and scale can have the most meaningful impact, Yum China’s 2021 Sustainability Report shares progress across three strategic pillars: Food, Environment and People. Highlights include:

• Committed to providing customers with delicious, safe, nutritious, and high-quality food, the Company further enhanced food safety management through an industry-leading intelligent and digitalized supply chain management system.
• Reaffirmed its commitment to nutritional improvements through product innovation. Through the application of multiple cooking methods, and recipe changes with less salt, sugar, and oil, the Company realized remarkable achievements in its product offerings.
• Committed to reducing the adverse environmental impacts from its entire value chain, the Company developed a decarbonization strategy and roadmap supported by science-based emissions reduction targets that have been submitted to SBTi for validation. Additionally, the Company continued efforts to enhance transparency by disclosing climate action progress through CDP and committing to TCFD reporting in the near-term.
• Committed to the “People First” philosophy, the Company released the Yum China Human Rights Policy and Occupational Health and Safety Policy, reiterating its commitments to create a “Fair, Care, and Pride” workplace.
• Continued to prioritize the health and safety of employees and further upgraded medical insurance coverage for its eligible Restaurant General Managers (“RGMs”), restaurant management teams and supervisors. These enhanced benefits are expected to cover around 100,000 frontline employees and their family members.
• Committed to promoting sustainable rural development through supporting nutrition improvement and enhancing STEM education. The Company’s flagship One Yuan Donation program has supported the health and growth of children in remote rural areas for 14 years with nutritious meals. In 2021, the program developed a Charity E-Shop to engage millions of Yum China’s customers and popularize the concept of “Everyone does good.”

Yum China’s sustainability efforts continue to receive high-profile external recognition:

• Scored industry best in the 2021 DJSI CSA for the second consecutive year and listed in both 2021 DJSI World Index and DJSI Emerging Market Index.
• Received an ‘A’ rating in the latest MSCI ESG rating for 2021.
• Included in Bloomberg’s 2022 Gender-Equality Index for the fourth consecutive year.
• Certified as a Top Employer China by the Top Employers Institute for the fourth consecutive year in 2022, and the only restaurant company among the top 20 employers.

Read the full 2021 Sustainability Report here.

Source:PRNewswire