Bardsley processing

Bardsley England has teamed up with energy regeneration firm Engie to achieve its target of delivering carbon-negative fruit.

According to Bardsley, the new partnership will help it to transition to net-zero across all its UK fruit-producing operations and support its move to become a carbon-negative business.

Bardsley England packs around 37,000 tonnes of fruit throughout the year, while producing up to 23,000t per annum from its 24 sites and 820ha of land across the Kent countryside.

The contract will see the two organisations work closely together on a roadmap of projects to first identify all emissions - direct, indirect and through the supply chain (Scopes 1, 2 & 3) associated with cultivation, harvest, land management, storage, packaging, processing, transportation and waste disposal.

Engie will review business operations, and provide a roadmap for becoming not just a net-zero company, but by minimising emissions and maximising sequestration, a negative carbon supplier of high-quality produce.

Managing director Ben Bardsley said: “Our ultimate objective is to reach a point where our produce is not just carbon-zero, but carbon-negative. This is a long-term strategy that requires meticulous attention to detail at every level and we are confident that Engie is the right partner for this mission.”

Matt Dracup, energy services director at Engie UK, added: “This is an ambitious programme, particularly in addressing the full “Cradle to Gate” emissions, and we are both proud and excited to be playing a key role in it. We are looking forward to supporting Bardsley England in their journey ahead.”