MISSISSAUGA, Ontario – Maple Leaf Foods is the first meat company in a group of 50 major global companies to publish an open letter urging greater collaboration in the fight against climate change. The World Economic Forum Alliance of Climate Action CEOs are collaborating to help meet the Paris Climate Agreement goals.

Since launching its sustainability strategy in 2014, Maple Leaf Foods has reduced its total energy intensity by 19 percent and greenhouse gas emissions intensity by 18 percent, according to the company. Maple Leaf has a goal to reduce its environmental footprint by 50 percent by 2025.

“Climate change is the single greatest challenge facing our world and Maple Leaf is committed to operating within the bounds of environmental limits and providing consumers with more sustainable food choices,” said Michael H. McCain, president and CEO of Maple Leaf Foods. “Real change also needs real political leadership, and we stand beside these other global companies to push for action that achieves the goals of the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement.”

The letter was published prior to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) climate conference, Dec. 2-14 in Katowice, Poland. During the conference government representatives will meet to discuss progress toward meeting the Paris Climate Agreement goals.

The full letter and more information on the World Economic Forum’s Alliance of Climate Action CEOs can be found at www.weforum.org.