WASHINGTON — The Meat Institute announced on Feb. 2 that it would offer up to 100 of America’s leading meat companies the opportunity to participate in Supplier Leadership on Climate Transition (Supplier LOCT).

The trade organization said the initiative follows a $65,000 investment to kickstart the partnership.

“Achieving our ambitious Protein PACT targets requires long-term commitment plus short-term practical action, including to fill technical gaps and build capabilities,” said Julie Anna Potts, president and chief executive officer of the Meat Institute. “That’s why the Meat Institute is honored to partner with Supplier LOCT and excited to facilitate this critical education opportunity that will help meat companies measure emissions and set emissions targets.”

Supplier LOCT is a collaborative program that was founded in 2021 to increase science-based greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction targets across supply chains. The Meat Institute’s investment supports its target for 100% of members to set science-based emissions reduction targets by 2030, subsidizing Supplier LOCT participation for up to 100 Meat Institute members in 2024.

“Accelerating climate action requires collective action, and meat companies can play a critical leadership role in driving emissions reductions,” said Nicole DelSasso, director of Supplier LOCT. “Supplier LOCT welcomes this partnership as an opportunity to continue scaling up collaborative approaches to durable climate solutions.”

The Meat Institute pointed out that one of its members, OSI, is a participant in Supplier LOCT. OSI explained the importance of the program.

“Partnership throughout our supply chains and across the industry is essential to achieving global climate goals,” OSI said. “Supplier LOCT provides access to practical resources and actionable tools that enable OSI and our supply chain partners to accelerate and amplify our actions.”

Interested Meat Institute members must register no later than March 15. 

The organization said that registration is capped at the first 100 registered companies, with each company able to have five staff members participate in the program.

McDonald’s Corp. and Post Holdings Inc. joined Supplier LOCT in September 2023.