Responsible footprint

Within the priority Responsible Footprint, we focus on 4 subareas:

 

1. Energy Consumption and CO2 Emissions

Since 2019, Royal Greenland has replaced four ocean-going trawlers and one more is on the way in 2023 and 2025. The new vessels are designed according to new principles. As a consequence, over time a reduction is expected in the total energy consumption per tonne of end-product.  

Royal Greenland’s land-based production takes place at 37 plants in Greenland, 9 in Canada and 3 in Germany, with varying energy consumption and different energy sources.  

Risks and opportunities 

The greatest risk on using large amounts of fossil-fuel based energy  is the emission of CO2 to the atmosphere, thereby increasing global warming. The risk which rising temperatures present for Arctic towns and settlements is the melting of fresh water from the ice cap to the sea, so that the local salt conditions might change, entailing higher water levels.  

We have the opportunity to contribute to preventing a continued increase in global warming and its impacts, seen locally and worldwide. This is a difficult task, but we can see opportunities in joining forces to tackle climate change, through improvement and reduction projects, as well as cooperation with energy supply companies that are working to achieve sustainable, climate-neutral energy forms. 

Fisheries and the subsequent value chain depend on energy for engines and machines. Hydroelectric power is available in several of the countries in which we operate, but we still rely heavily on fossil fuel supplies. 

2. Maximum Utilisation of Resources 

Since fish in the oceans is a limited resource, we need to make the best possible use of the fish once it has been caught.

Utilising side-streams presents the challenge that the residual raw materials differ considerably from the products traditionally produced. Often a special technology or a lot of manual work is required to utilise the last-remaining quantities, so that disposal may be the only option left.  

When a fish is filleted, the head, skin and carcass will be left, while shells in large quantities will be left when shellfish such as prawn and crab are peeled. Innovative solutions, investments, co-operation with external partners and better resource allocation will make it possible to increase resource utilisation. 

Goals 

• Increase utilisation in the Group's onshore facilities to minimum 75%.
• Develop new products with a positive financial returns
• Reduce discharge of shells and dumping of fish remains

3. Paper, Carboard & Plastic 

Finished products need to be packaged in order to be transported hygienically and efficiently and to preserve their shelf life. However, the type of packaging used is not irrelevant.

In the EU, Extended Producers Responsibility will be phased in by 2025, with taxes on all packaging, depending on the recyclability, colour and weight of the packaging.

In towns and settlements, leftover packaging, fishing nets and fishing boxes can be seen, just as lost or worn-out fishing gear left in the water can result in 'ghost fishing'.

Royal Greenland wishes to increase recycling and sees opportunities in the systematic review and conversion of all packaging and other materials for which more sustainable solutions can be used. 

Goals 

• Minimum 85% of Royal Greenland's plastic packaging is recyclable
• All cardboard and paper is FCS certified, or equivalent
• Recycling of fish boxes

Result 2023:

• of Royal Greenland's plastic packaging is recyclable
• All cardboard and paper is FCS certified, or equivalent
• Fish boxes can be recycled

4. Water Consumption 

At Royal Greenland's production units, fresh water may originate from surface water, groundwater or sea water. Fresh water, whatever the origin, is delivered from local utility companies.  

On reviewing the water resources in the 37 towns and settlements in Greenland where Royal Greenland has facilities, the supplier Nukissiorfiit (Greenland’s Energy Supply) found that 21 locations had ample water supplies, and eight locations had reasonable water supplies, while another eight locations had poor water supplies.  

We can see opportunities in cleaning seawater up to microbiological drinking water quality. Our tests have yielded good results, but unfortunately no permits have as yet been granted for its use, other than for whole fish. 

Goals

• Maintain a stable water supply

Results 2023:

• Water supplies have been challenged in some communities in northern Greenland