Ecosystem conversion and restoration
No evidence was found regarding Yara’s efforts to avoid ecosystem conversion, including deforestation, or promote restoration. The company has an opportunity to develop a strategy and publicly report on specific, time-bound targets.
GHG emissions
Yara discloses its target to reduce 11.1% absolute reduction in scope 3 emissions from the use of sold products by 2030. However, this indicator looks at targets across all categories of scope 3. The company discloses that it sold significantly less fertilizer with high nitrogen content, resulting in a 25% decrease of scope 3 GHG emissions. Further, it reports a reduction in GHG emissions against the previous year. As the target does not cover all scope 3 emissions, progress was not considered. Then, the company should set time-bound targets to reduce its scope 3 emissions and report progress against it. Additionally, all of company’s scope 1, 2 and 3 targets need to align with a 1.5-degree trajectory.
Impact and dependencies assessment
Yara is planning to utilize the SBTN and TNFD LEAP processes for biodiversity impact assessments in its value chain and has expressed its intention for comprehensive evaluations both upstream and downstream. Despite acknowledging minimal biodiversity impacts from mining, it has an opportunity to assess and disclose its impacts on nature, including biodiversity, within its own operations and upstream business relationships. Joining “make it mandatory” signals its commitment to nature-related dependencies, yet the company can further clarify its assessments related to nature dependencies in its operations.
Invasive species
Yara has not identified any activities that could lead to the introduction of invasive alien species in its own operations.
Key areas and species
While Yara has revealed the presence of endangered birds near tailings areas and the impact of mining on specific species, it could further disclose the full range of species in or adjacent to its own locations, complete with their conservation status according to national and international standards. There’s also room for detailing locations within its operations that are critical for biodiversity. On the supplier front, the company has yet to identify which of their locations are adjacent to biodiversity-important areas and what species populations exist near those supplier locations.
Resource exploitation and circularity performance
Yara has an opportunity to disclose its inputs according to an international standard, and to report quantitatively on its group-wide circularity performance. The company also has an opportunity to disclose a target to improve soil health in its production or sourcing practices and to report progress against it.
Solid and air pollution
Yara should work on reducing the production of hazardous substances and waste. It has an opportunity to set and disclose time-bound targets to reduce air pollutants across the most material parts of its value chain. The company could also report on the amount of plastic waste generated and proportions directed from or to disposal.
Water
Yara has an opportunity to further improve water withdrawal by setting a time-bound target and engaging with suppliers. It also has an opportunity to set time-bound targets to reduce water pollution metrics. The company does not disclose relevant information on rights to water in its operations or supply chains.
