Doing our part for our employees, our communities and our environment.
Sustainability is ingrained in our culture and guides us in all of our decision making. Our biorefinery operations are focused on measures to conserve energy and water, support our communities and make products that are truly sustainable to reduce our carbon footprint year after year. We proactively identify areas for improvement and are dedicated to positively impacting our employees, customers and the environment.
View our 2023 Sustainability Report
View our 2022 Sustainability Report
Air Quality
At least 95% of key pollutant emissions captured.
Water Management
Zero process contact water discharge at all of our 11 biorefineries.
Emissions
46% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions per gallon of biofuel compared to a gallon of traditional gasoline. (USDA). Established goals of 50% GHG reduction by 2030 and carbon neutrality from operations by 2050.
Feedstock Impacts
100% sourced locally from American farmers.
Legal & Regulatory
Strong history of compliance.
Safety
Proven track record of safety and success.
11 Billion
gallons of low-carbon biofuel produced
44.7 MMT
of reduced CO2 emission
46%
lower GHG profile than gasoline
70%
or greater future reduction in GHG emissions
Our Strategic Approach for Tomorrow
Green Plains is a founding partner in a Carbon Capture and Sequestration (CCS) project in collaboration with Summit Carbon Solutions (SCS), a subsidiary of Summit Agricultural Group. This innovative venture puts our sustainable ingredients on a path toward achieving carbon neutrality and helps address the urgent global need for decarbonization.
Carbon Capture and Sequestration Details
In addition to CCS, Green Plains is exploring several other strategies to reduce our carbon intensity, including synthetic methane production, direct injection, combined-heat-and-power applications, renewable energy generation, and more.
Measuring Our Global Impact
Our strategy revolves around the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi):
- The GRI and SASB frameworks guide our Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) integration process to identify risks and opportunities and determine how these factors contribute to sustainable long-term shareholder value.
- The UN SDGs allow Green Plains to better understand and align our business impact on stakeholders, communities, the environment and the world.
- Green Plains has secured validation of near-term 2030 targets from the Science Based Targets initiative in alignment with a 1.5°C trajectory, the most ambitious designation currently available.
Meets growing global demand for plant-based protein in a sustainable way.
Ensures inclusive and equitable quality education and promotes lifelong learning opportunities for all.
Engages in robust efforts to clean water and efficiently manage water resources across 11 biorefineries.
Provides consumers with less expensive, renewable biofuel alternatives to regular gasoline.
Plays a significant role in agricultural economic activity in the U.S. Midwest, including purchasing corn locally and directly from American farmers.
Drives innovative biorefinery process and product development.
Meets the world's growing food and dietary protein demands with high-protein and plant-based feeds.
Reduces particulate matter emissions and carbon footprint of liquid fuel vehicles.
Develops innovative aquaculture diets to reduce overfishing of our oceans.
Reduces need to further deforest land for agricultural purposes by using locally sourced corn.
Promotes a fair and just society via enhanced ethics and compliance procedures and oversight and community outreach and consultation.
Engages with strategic partners to deploy advanced agricultural technology and achieve sustainability goals.
Our Commitment to Community
Since our founding, Green Plains has been committed to the people and communities we serve. We understand each community where we operate is directly impacted by our actions, and believe it is our responsibility to be an excellent corporate citizen through sponsorships, charitable donations and volunteerism.
Green Plains is a global leader in leveraging innovative technologies to make essential ingredients the world needs.
Learn more about Green Plains