BelOrta: from energy audits to SBTi pioneer

Market and CO₂ Requirements Drive Strategic Sustainability

As Belgium’s largest cooperative fruit and vegetable auction – and a European market leader – BelOrta plays a key role in the food chain. With 1,350 active growers, the organisation accounts for almost 40% of all Belgian horticultural produce sold through the auction system. However, this prominent position also comes with increasing expectations.

The market is changing rapidly. Consumers increasingly expect sustainable products, and retailers are translating these expectations into strict requirements for their suppliers. A recent study shows that 70% of consumers take sustainability into account when making purchasing decisions. Moreover, retailers are under pressure to meet European climate targets and are therefore demanding concrete commitments from their partners regarding CO₂ reduction.

For BelOrta, the conclusion was clear: to remain a relevant and preferred partner within the retail landscape, sustainability had to be strategically embedded throughout its operations. A previous mandatory energy audit (EER), carried out by Encon, identified the company’s major energy consumers and provided the foundation for its transition. However, to move beyond individual optimisation projects, specialised expertise was required, particularly in the areas of carbon neutrality and the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi).

Comprehensive Carbon Strategy and SBTi Commitment

BelOrta once again partnered with Encon, this time to develop a comprehensive Carbon Strategy and guide the organisation towards an official SBTi commitment.

Our team delivered:

• A comprehensive Carbon Footprint assessment (Scopes 1, 2 and 3), providing full visibility into BelOrta’s emissions.
• A concrete and achievable emissions reduction roadmap tailored to the activities of a large-scale cold storage and logistics operation.
• Determination of the appropriate level of ambition in line with internationally recognised SBTi guidelines.
• Strategic communications support, enabling BelOrta to communicate transparently and credibly with retailers, growers and other stakeholders.

Together, we addressed a crucial question: Are we doing enough to contribute meaningfully to the fight against climate change? With SBTi as the scientific framework, BelOrta received a clear, credible and future-proof answer.

42% CO₂ Reduction and Significant Energy Savings

The new strategy resulted not only in a formal climate commitment but also in measurable improvements across BelOrta’s operations.

Ambitious SBTi Targets

BelOrta is committed to:

• Reducing Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 42% by 2030 compared to the 2020 baseline.
• Measuring, monitoring and significantly reducing Scope 3 emissions.
• Following a robust, scientifically validated decarbonisation pathway aligned with the expectations of retailers, consumers and other stakeholders.

Investment in Renewable Energy

Together with Encon, BelOrta invested in four solar parks, enabling the company to generate a substantial share of its electricity from renewable sources.

Large-Scale Energy Savings Through Smart Lighting

The energy audit revealed that lighting was one of the largest energy consumers across BelOrta’s industrial facilities. Encon therefore designed and implemented a fully optimised LED lighting solution tailored to the organisation’s logistics processes.

Results:

• 80% reduction in lighting-related energy consumption.
• 472,021 kg less CO₂ emitted annually — equivalent to the carbon absorption of approximately 20,000 trees.

Sustainability Across the Entire Supply Chain

BelOrta works exclusively with growers affiliated with the Federation of Belgian Horticultural Cooperatives and actively promotes sustainable production through the Responsibly Fresh programme. As a result, sustainability efforts extend far beyond the company’s own facilities and reach throughout the entire supply chain.

BelOrta demonstrates that even organisations with complex logistics operations and large-scale infrastructure can achieve rapid and measurable sustainability gains. Through its SBTi commitment, investments in renewable energy and rigorous efficiency measures, the company is taking a leading role in sustainable food production and setting a benchmark for a sector undergoing rapid transformation.