1. Sustainability strategy and model
1.1 Sustainability strategy
Continuing the Emmi Group’s tradition, sustainability is an integral part of its business model and one of the five core elements of the Group’s strategy. The Emmi Group strives to generate long-term, profitable growth and added value for all its stakeholder groups.
1.2 The Emmi sustainability model
The Emmi Group seeks to run its business in a resource-efficient, environmentally friendly and socially responsible manner in line with its sustainability model. To achieve its ambitious sustainability goals in the five topics that underpin its sustainability strategy, sustainability is integrated into the core business processes throughout the Group. By means of the measures taken to implement its sustainability strategy, the Emmi Group supports the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and contributes to addressing global challenges such as climate change and fair growth.
The five topics in the Emmi sustainability model
Developing employees
The skills and knowledge of its employees are integral to the Emmi Group. In an environment characterised by social change and rapid technological advancements, the Emmi Group seeks to ensure its employees are able to meet the current and future demands of their work. This is why the aim is for all employees to have a development plan in place by 2027 and to pursue professional development on an ongoing basis. In addition, half of all vacancies are to be filled by internal candidates by 2027. As a company, the Emmi Group wants to secure its requirements for specialist staff and managers while bolstering the employability of its workforce.
Sustainable dairy
Regional, natural and nutritious – milk is a key element of a sustainable nutrition system and healthy diet. The Emmi Group aims to be known as a company that makes products from sustainable dairy – in all the markets in which it operates. To achieve this goal, all milk suppliers must exceed average local standards by 2027. The Emmi Group assesses this using a science-based catalogue of criteria. In its domestic market in Switzerland, Emmi is committed to the ongoing development of the Sustainable Swiss Milk industry standard, which has been mandatory since 2024 – a standard that Emmi has played a key role in shaping and establishing as the norm.
Reducing emissions
In 2025, the following new science-based and short-term emission reduction targets set by the Emmi Group were validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi): The goal is to reduce absolute greenhouse gas emissions (Scope 1 and 2) and absolute greenhouse gas emissions (Scope 3) outside forest, land and agriculture (non-FLAG) by 46.2% by 2031 compared with the base year of 2023. The Scope 1 and 2 targets also include land-based emissions and the extraction of bioenergy feedstocks. Absolute FLAG greenhouse gas emissions (Scope 3) are to be reduced by 33.3% by 2031 compared with the base year of 2023. These targets have been formulated in accordance with the Greenhouse Gas Protocol along with the Paris Agreement and the 1.5°C pathway. As of yet, there are no long-term, validated targets to be reached by 2050 that are required by SBTi as part of the net-zero commitment. Despite this, achieving net zero by 2050 remains the Emmi Group’s long-term vision. In addition, the Emmi Group has committed, by the end of 2025, to procure only raw materials that have been obtained without deforestation for relevant raw materials at risk of deforestation (No-Deforestation Commitment). In addition, the Emmi Group commits to ensure from the start of application of the EUDR that all raw materials specified in the law are sourced from supply chains that have been deforestation-free since 31 December 2020.
Reducing waste
The Emmi Group is committed to advancing the circular economy by 2027. At its own facilities, it plans to cut waste and food waste in half (compared to 2017) and ensure that any remaining waste is no longer disposed of in landfill. Packaging should be 100% recyclable and consist of at least 30% recycled material.
Reducing water use
The Emmi Group is committed to reducing the fresh water consumption of its facilities in risk areas by 50% by 2027 (compared to 2019). In the remaining countries, the Group aims to reduce consumption by 15% (compared to 2019).
1.3 Sustainability governance model
The Board of Directors is responsible for the sustainable development of the Emmi Group; for example, with regard to the sustainability strategy and reporting. The Board of Directors has delegated implementation to the CEO and Group Executive Management. They have set up a Sustainability Steering Committee for further implementation. The committee acts as a decision-making and approval body, taking into account costs, efficiency and local conditions, and regularly reviews progress and achievement of the relevant goals. It comprises the Chief Supply Chain Officer (CSCO), Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO), Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Chief Marketing Officer (CMO), Executive Vice President Switzerland, Executive Vice President America, Executive Vice President Europe, Head Corporate Communications and Head Group Sustainability.
The global sustainability team develops, implements and monitors the sustainability strategy. It provides leadership and offers guidance and support throughout the Group. The team designs all related internal and external communication to ensure transparency and the proper flow of information. Knowledge transfer and networking with internal and external stakeholders play a key role in creating synergies and sharing best practices. Through coaching, advice and networking, companies within Emmi are empowered to define measures and achieve their goals.
Working closely with the heads of sustainability of the individual divisions and the contact persons in the Group functions (HR, marketing, communications, procurement, etc.), the sustainability team continuously evaluates developments and adjusts its approach if necessary. The key components of these efforts are to ensure data quality, the impact of current and future projects, and adherence to the schedule and the capital and operating expenditures. The sustainability team strives to gain a clear understanding of the gaps within the established targets, taking into account the scope, location, type and time frames. Priorities are set on this basis, whether at division level or for specific projects.
Emmi sustainability governance model
Corporate Governance of the Emmi Group
1.4 Corporate culture and business ethics
Code of Conduct for Employees
The company values and guidelines for action are set out in the Code of Conduct for Employees. In addition to compliance with laws and guidelines, this includes a clear commitment to occupational health and safety, environmental action, fair working conditions, equality and integrity. The Code of Conduct also emphasises the fair treatment of all stakeholders, respect for human rights in accordance with the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, and the defined quality of its products. The Code of Conduct applies to all employees of the Emmi Group worldwide and supplements and specifies the applicable general employment conditions in the form of ethical and company-specific principles of conduct.
At the operational level, the Code of Conduct is substantiated by internal directives that apply throughout the Group – for example, with regard to quality management and food safety, the safety of people and infrastructure, the environment and sustainability, and, in Switzerland, the handling of raw materials from critical countries of origin.
Supplier Code of Conduct
To anchor its corporate culture and business ethics in the supply chain, the Emmi Group formulated a Supplier Code of Conduct in 2022. This includes the expectations regarding business ethics, people and work, health, safety and the environment, product quality, and the governance and management systems of suppliers.
In the area of environmental protection, suppliers are required to comply with all local environmental and safety requirements and to ensure continuous improvement.
In the section “People and labour”, the Code stipulates that every supplier that works with the Emmi Group must comply with fundamental rights and recognise and support internationally applicable labour standards. The Code states that suppliers undertake to actively counteract discrimination, unequal treatment, harassment and any inappropriate or unreasonable impairment of work performance, whether based on nationality, race, disability or gender, including gender identity or sexual, religious or political orientation, as well as ethnic or social origin. With regard to the observance of human rights, the Code contains provisions on the prevention of forced and child labour, respect for the freedom of assembly and compliance with fair working conditions.
Respect for human rights
The Emmi Group recognises the global relevance of and compliance with human rights and considers their protection to be fundamental for responsible business conduct. This is enshrined in the two codes of conduct for employees and suppliers (see above). The Emmi Group is committed to ensuring neither it nor any of its supply chain partners are involved in slavery or human trafficking. The Emmi Group documents this commitment in its UK Modern Slavery Act Statement, which outlines measures to prevent modern slavery and human trafficking in the Group’s own business activities and throughout the supply chain. To meet this commitment, the Emmi Group cooperates with more than 20 labels with the aim of promoting social, ethical and environmental standards along the value chain on a long-term basis. The Emmi Group requires (sub-)suppliers to accept and comply with the Code of Conduct (see section 3.9 Responsible sourcing). Furthermore, clearly defined rules and processes within the Emmi Group ensure a fair and ethical working environment for all employees (see section 3.11 Responsible business conduct).
1.5 Memberships of associations and interest groups
The Emmi Group is aware that long-term success depends on sustainable growth, collective action, broad coalitions and strong partnerships. The company pursues dialogue with numerous stakeholder groups and collaborates with other innovative companies, organisations and partners.
Emmi Group’s main memberships:
- Milk industry organisation (BO Milch), Switzerland: board member
- Commission on Agricultural and Economic Policy of the Federation of Swiss Food Industries, Switzerland (fial): board member
- Interest Group for the Swiss Agricultural Sector (IGAS), Switzerland: board member
- Association of the Swiss Dairy Industry (VMI), Switzerland: board member
- KlimaStaR Milk, Switzerland: member of the governing body
- Promarca, Switzerland: board member
- Swiss Cheese Marketing, Switzerland (SCM): board member
- RecyPac, Switzerland: board member
- National Association of the Food Industry, France (ANIA): board member
- Association of Bakery Companies, France (FEB): board member
The company is a member of other associations and interest groups both in Switzerland and abroad.