Climate

Climate change is an urgent challenge. At Cargill, we’re cutting agriculture’s climate impact and building solutions for a more sustainable future. Here’s what you need to know.

What is climate change?

Climate change means long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns, mostly driven by people burning fossil fuels like coal, oil, and gas. It’s not just warmer temperatures — it’s also rising seas, stronger storms, and changes that throw food production and ecosystems off balance.

At Cargill, we see the change as one of the biggest challenges of our time. We’re committed to cutting agriculture’s climate impact, starting with our own operations.

How does climate change affect agriculture and food production?

Climate change doesn’t just change the weather — it threatens the way we grow food.

Climate change looks like:

Droughts
Floods
Extreme heat
Shifting growing seasons that put crops, livestock, and farmers at risk

At Cargill, we’re helping build climate resilience by advancing regenerative agriculture, investing in climate-smart supply chains, and supporting programs like BeefUp Sustainability.

What are the main causes of climate change?

The climate crisis is mainly caused by greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide (CO₂) and methane, which trap heat in the atmosphere. The biggest drivers are burning fossil fuels, cutting down forests, and industrial farming.

At Cargill, we’re starting by tackling our own footprint — investing $100 million in efficiency and sustainability projects and reducing our Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 15.8% since 2017, beating our 10% reduction goal.

What is the difference between climate change mitigation and adaptation?

Mitigation and adaptation are two sides of the same coin:

Mitigation	Adaptation
Cutting emissions to slow climate change (ex: decarbonization, renewable energy, carbon sequestration)	Adjusting to climate impacts (ex: drought-resistant crops, improved water management)

At Cargill, we’re committed to both. We’re pushing decarbonization inside our operations and helping farmers adapt through regenerative practices with RegenConnect™.

What is regenerative agriculture, and how does it help combat climate change?

Regenerative agriculture focuses on building healthier soils, boosting biodiversity, and capturing carbon naturally from the atmosphere — a process called carbon sequestration.

Cargill’s RegenConnect™ program connects farmers with opportunities to earn by improving soil health and cutting emissions. So far, we’ve supported regenerative practices across more than 1.1 million acres in North America, with a goal of reaching 10 million acres by 2030.

How is climate change impacting global food security?

The climate crisis is making it harder to grow enough food. Rising temperatures, shifting rainfall, and extreme weather events threaten crops and livestock, driving up prices and creating food shortages.

At Cargill, we’re investing in resilience across the food system. Initiatives like our SeaFurther Sustainability aim to lower the carbon footprint of beef and seafood, ensuring reliable, climate-smart food supplies for the future.

What actions can individuals and businesses take to address climate change?

Everyone has a role to play. Individuals can:

Choose sustainably sourced food
Reduce food waste
Conserve energy
Support regenerative farming

Businesses can:

Set science-based emissions targets
Invest in energy efficiency and decarbonization
Build resilient, sustainable supply chains
Partner for collective action

At Cargill, we’re working with farmers, ranchers, customers, and NGOs to scale impact, drive carbon reductions, and build a food system that’s better for people and the planet.

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