Hewitt Advances Sustainability Performance Across People, Environment and Supply Chain in 2024
Hewitt has released its 2024 Sustainability Report, highlighting the progress made across its operations, workforce and supply chain as the business continues its journey towards becoming the world’s most sustainable meat producer.
Guided by its purpose of feeding the world with a system that lasts forever, Hewitt continued investing in initiatives that support people, strengthen environmental stewardship and improve transparency across its integrated supply chain.
Investing in People – Employee Retention Improved by 30%
People remained at the centre of Hewitt’s sustainability strategy throughout 2024.
The business continued investing in leadership development, workforce capability and employee engagement initiatives, contributing to a significant improvement in employee retention. Employee turnover reduced from 59.4 per cent in 2023 to 41.4 per cent in 2024, reflecting stronger workforce stability across the organisation.
Hewitt also continued to foster a diverse and inclusive workplace while supporting regional communities through local employment, procurement and community partnerships.
Reducing Environmental Impact – More Than 10,000 Tonnes of Emissions Removed
Hewitt continued to strengthen its environmental performance through ongoing investment in emissions monitoring, climate resilience and regenerative farming practices.
During 2024, Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions reduced from 210,186 tonnes CO₂-e to 200,133 tonnes CO₂-e, representing a reduction of more than 10,000 tonnes year-on-year.
The business also recorded a 13 per cent reduction in beef production emissions intensity through operational improvements and more efficient on-farm management practices.
Protecting Biodiversity at Scale – Ecological Surveys Conducted Across 2 Million Hectares
A major milestone during 2024 was the continuation of Hewitt’s Food for the Future program in partnership with Meat & Livestock Australia.
Working alongside Bush Heritage Australia, Hewitt completed extensive ecological surveys across its properties, identifying vulnerable, endangered and critically endangered species and establishing a stronger baseline understanding of biodiversity across more than two million hectares of managed grazing land.
The program also advanced emissions baselining, natural asset mapping and supply chain collaboration initiatives designed to support future sustainability outcomes.
Strengthening Product Integrity – More Than 85% of the Australian Supply Chain Certified Organic
Hewitt’s commitment to responsible production continued to strengthen throughout 2024, with significant growth in certified suppliers across its livestock supply chain.
Several suppliers adopted additional certifications, including Regenerative Organic Certified (ROC), increasing the proportion of certified suppliers across the network and further strengthening traceability, animal welfare and environmental outcomes.
Today, more than 85 per cent of Hewitt’s Australian supply chain is certified organic, supporting the production of premium protein products trusted by customers around the world.
Building the Foundations for Long-Term Sustainability
As custodians of more than two million hectares of grazing land across Queensland, New South Wales and the Northern Territory, Hewitt recognises the important role agriculture plays in both feeding growing populations and protecting natural ecosystems.
The 2024 Sustainability Report reflects a year of building stronger data, improving transparency and embedding sustainability more deeply into everyday operations.
As the business continues to grow across Australia, Asia and the Americas, Hewitt remains committed to creating sustainable foods and delivering positive outcomes for people, animals, the environment and future generations.
