In December 2022, Dole plc committed to set science-based targets.

 

Climate Action

Although fresh produce is one of the foods with the lowest environmental impact*, Dole plc, as one of the largest global fresh produce growers and distributors recognizes the risks that climate change presents to our environment and livelihoods. Dole plc has therefore committed to science based goals aligned with a 1.5°C scenario. Those goals have been calculated and submitted to the Science Based Target Initiative (SBTi) for validation. A first climate risk assessment has been completed and released in our CDP report.**

Goal

  • 50% of Dole suppliers by volume to set a science-based target (SBT) by 2030

* Source: Barilla Center For Food & Nutrition, Double Pyramid (2016)

** Our CDP report is available on CDP’s website

Dole banana plantation
Dole Employee checking water

Water Stewardship

On our journey to improve water management, we have initiated a detailed water risk assessment of our operations currently and supply chain. We have used the WWF Water Risk Filter tool to identify scarcity risks and flooding risks. In addition, we are focusing on improving our practices and certifying farms to advanced water management standards like Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS) among others.

Goal

  • In high-risk areas for water scarcity, reduce usage by 10% overall on all Dole owned farms by 2030
  • Expand number of owned farms and third-party farms certified to Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS) by 50% by 2030 (2022 baseline)
  • Establish capacity building programs to promote optimized water stewardship practices with 70% of 3rd party suppliers in high water risk areas by 2025

 

Sustainable Farming Practices

In order to achieve our climate targets related to farming activities, Dole plc is implementing a range of practices. Regenerative farming practices sequestrate carbon in the soil, improve soil health and biota and reduce GHG emissions. Some of those practices have been in use for some time and delivered significant positive results while others are emerging.

 

Young banana trees Dole

Regenerative practice

Dole has its own in-house soil research experts and has pioneered many of those practices for our industry. Our farming knowledge has been developed by operating in conventional agriculture for generations and in organic agriculture for over 25 years. This effort continues by relentlessly researching plant nutrition and soil health to further reduce synthetic fertilization. Here is a list of our main regenerative farm practices.

  • Minimum tillage
    #1: Minimum Tillage

    In pineapple production, depending on weather conditions, we work to avoid tillage between certain production cycles. In banana production we minimize soil disturbance by using mini-mechanical excavators to avoid soil compaction around the banana plants instead of regular deeper tillage. Banana farming typically involves minimum tillage, as they are continuously farmed for 15 years or more before requiring land preparation.

  • Soil Coverage in dole banana plantation
    #2: Soil Coverage

    The implementation of a vegetative cover or cover crops is key to soil health. Soil coverage is applied in several perennial crops and generates multiple other sustainability benefits. It is important to keep the soil covered as much as possible to contain erosion, improve water infiltration and limit water evaporation.

  • Crop residue dole farm
    #3: Incorporation of Crop Residue

    Incorporating crop residue has been a key success in regenerative agriculture. Since 2008, Dole's practice of adding pineapple crop residues to the soil, along with using microorganisms, has increased soil organic matter and reduced synthetic fertilization by up to 30%. Banana farms contribute 380 tons of fresh matter annually to the soil on average, equating to 37 tons per hectare of dry matter. The use of mini mechanical excavators also aids in incorporating organic matter into the soil.

  • Liquid organic fertilization Dole
    #4: Liquid Organic Fertilization

    In banana and pineapple production, discarded crop residues are collected and reused in a mixture with other raw materials and microorganisms to create an organic liquid fertilizer. These organic liquids are applied to new planting or established production areas.

Bio diversity dole farms

Biodiversity Protection

Dole currently maintains large ecosystems within its farms for a total of 3,000 hectares which play an important role at multiple levels. They are key to carbon sequestration but also to the protection of biodiversity. Cultivated area and ecosystems are closely intertwined in the production areas and the connectivity between the various ecosystems is therefore crucial for the fauna to thrive. Pollination is also essential to many of our crops. Biodiversity is already entrenched into several of the third party certifications our farms and growers farms carry like Rainforest Alliance or Fair Trade. Based on that knowledge, we initiated various partnerships and projects to advance our knowledge and improve our conservation effort.

Goal

  • Set 10 biodiversity protection initiatives across the company

 

Studies

Our Fresh Fruit division has recently completed two studies of biodiversity monitoring and biological control identification. 

  • Banana Farm Biodiversity Study-Aguan Valley, Honduras
  • Biodiversity Monitoring Study
    • Biological controls study conducted in the banana growing regions around Guayaquil, Ecuador with 125 different species identified.

 

Waste Management & Packaging Innovation

Making packaging recyclable or compostable remains our short-term goal. 

We have initiated a project to identify and reduce waste in our banana supply chain in partnership with WWF USA.

In Latin America, the volume of packaging consists of cardboard boxes which are fully recyclable representing 225,100 metric tons. We are currently extending our analysis to all other sources of packaging.

Goal

  • Reduce food waste in harvesting and processing systems by 50% by 2030
  • Make 100% Dole packaging across divisions either recyclable or compostable by 2025
Dole farm employee packing boxes