Going above and beyond: ASC Awards Tassal for their industry leading emissions reduction targets validated by SBTi

Tassal becomes the first Australian aquaculture producer to have emissions reduction targets validated by Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi).

“Tassal has demonstrated a commitment to climate action and sustainability that goes beyond ASC’s core certification requirements. Their science-based emissions targets and long-term investment in decarbonisation reflect the kind of forward-thinking leadership we aim to recognise with the ‘Above and Beyond’ award. At ASC, our mission is continuous improvement and Tassal’s efforts set a leading example for Aquaculture in Australia.” – Aquaculture Stewardship Council

In recognition of this milestone, Tassal received the ‘ASC Above and Beyond’ award at the 2025 Australian Sustainable Seafood Awards. Selected by an independent panel of judges, this award recognises Tassal’s commitment to sustainability and operational improvement initiatives beyond the scope of ASC certification. We sat down with Gemma Gwilliams, Tassal’s ESG Manager, to discuss the producer’s latest achievement.

ASC- What is the Science Based Target’s Initiative (SBTi)?

Gemma- The SBTi  is a globally recognised program that helps companies set clear, science-aligned goals to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. These targets are based on the latest climate science and are aligned with pathways intended to keep global warming to 1.5°C or less, consistent with the objectives of the Paris Agreement.

This is critical because the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has cautioned that allowing global temperatures to rise by 1.5°C could lead to severe and widespread environmental consequences. By aligning our emissions strategy with SBTi, we’re not only taking responsibility for our environmental footprint, we’re also contributing to a global effort to safeguard the planet for future generations.

ASC- How is Tassal future proofing their operations considering these climate change concerns?

Gemma- Climate change presents real and growing risks to aquaculture, and we’re taking proactive steps to address them. Our approach is guided by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and outlined in our  Responsible Business Roadmap. This roadmap details how we aim to produce sustainable seafood that minimises our environmental impact.

We’re not only working to reduce our own emissions, we’re also collaborating with suppliers and partners to help them do the same. In 2024, we set ambitious, science-based emissions reduction targets across our operations.

“ We have made a commitment to tackling climate change by setting science-based targets to cut greenhouse gas emissions.” Gemma Gwilliams

ASC- Why was it important to have these targets validated?

Gemma- It was a significant milestone in our sustainability journey to have our emissions reduction targets validated by the Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi); the gold standard for setting and monitoring corporate climate targets. This step exceeds our regulatory and certification requirements related to energy and emissions.

By setting SBTs, we’re not only advancing our own sustainability journey, but we’re also setting a new benchmark for the aquaculture industry. To our knowledge, Tassal is the first Australian aquaculture producer  to make this globally recognised commitment. This helps drive the entire sector towards more responsible and sustainable practices, contributing to the overall health of marine ecosystems and the global fight against climate change.

ASC- What are some of the ways Tassal is reducing its scope 1 , 2 and 3 emissions?

Gemma – Tassal’s validated science-based targets are built around five core commitments, each designed to drive meaningful emissions reductions and support a more sustainable aquaculture industry:

1. Scope 1 & 2 Emissions Reduction
   Cutting direct emissions from operations (Scope 1) and indirect emissions from purchased electricity (Scope 2) through energy efficiency, electrification, and renewable energy adoption.
2. Scope 3 Emissions Reduction
   Addressing emissions across the value chain including purchased goods and services, transport, and waste by working closely with suppliers and partners.
3. FLAG (Forest, Land, and Agriculture) Emissions
   Tackling emissions from land-use change and agricultural inputs, particularly in feed sourcing, to ensure responsible land stewardship.
4. Supplier Engagement
   Collaborating with key suppliers to encourage and support their own emissions reduction targets, amplifying impact across the supply chain.
5. Deforestation-Free Commitment
   Ensuring that Tassal’s operations and supply chains are free from deforestation, protecting biodiversity and supporting global climate goals.

ASC – What role does Certification play and why is it important for Tassal?

Gemma – Achieving certifications is a core element of our assurance program, it provides us with the opportunity for global bench marking and supports our commitment for ongoing improvement. Through third party audits we are provided with independent verification of our practices and identification of opportunities for improvement.

Tassal are proud to be Australia’s only Atlantic salmon and black tiger prawn farmer currently certified by the ASC. This certification covers:

• Our 8 salmon farming leases in the South and South East of Tasmania
• Our prawn farming operation in Proserpine, Queensland

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“Certification can help us build trust with our customers, partners, and the broader community. It’s a foundation for accountability and reinforces our commitment to responsible and transparent aquaculture.”
— Gemma Gwilliams

 

ASC Addressing Climate Change through innovation

ASC is committed to tackling climate-related challenges holistically, ensuring aquaculture operates within safe boundaries for both local ecosystems and the global environment. Central to this effort is our Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Calculator, a key innovation designed for feed mills and producers to estimate carbon footprints with aquaculture-specific considerations. Built on data from the Global Feed LCA Institute (GFLI), the tool evaluates emissions across the life cycle—covering production, processing, transport of feed ingredients, and on-farm energy use—helping the industry set reduction targets and identify actionable steps toward sustainability.

About the ASC Greenhouse Emissions Calculator

With the requirements in the ASC Feed Standard and ASC Farm Standard, ASC provides a complete and systematic approach in determining GHG emissions data. Through the free to use ASC GHG calculator tool, better, consistent and transparent reporting is facilitated across the supply chain – streamlining approaches to GHG in the farmed seafood industry and helping set targets for improvements.

The scope, data sources and calculations used reflect methodological guidance provided by the ASC Energy Use and Greenhouse Gas Emissions Technical Working Group of life cycle assessment experts and stakeholder representatives.

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