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Bord Bia

Origin Green Charters

The Origin Green charters ensure the credibility of claims that Irish food and drink is sustainably produced through accreditation and third-party verification.

Origin Green Charters

To become a member of Origin Green, manufacturers, retailers, or foodservice companies must sign up for their relevant charter. This requirement does not apply to farmers, as their membership process is supported by independent farm audits and Bord Bia's Sustainability and Quality Assurance Schemes. The Origin Green charter commits Ireland's food, drink, and horticulture industry to directly and robustly engage with the challenges of sustainable production. This includes reducing energy inputs, minimising carbon footprints, and lessening environmental impact. All Origin Green sustainability plans are independently reviewed and monitored annually for progress against the set targets.

  • Origin Green Foodservice Charter and Credits System

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  • Sustainability Charter - Food & Drink Manufacturers

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  • Origin Green Retail Charter and Credits System

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Manufacturer's Charter

As part of the commitment to this charter, food and drink manufacturers must agree to implement clear objectives across three key areas:

  • Raw material sourcing Raw material sourcing is a central component of the Origin Green Manufacturer’s Charter, reflecting its emphasis on responsible procurement and supply chain resilience. Companies are required to develop sustainability targets that focus first on securing certified raw materials, as this is considered the highest risk area within supply chains. As members mature, they may progress to supplier certification targets and eventually to collaborative sustainability initiatives with suppliers, following the Raw Materials & Suppliers Target Hierarchy.
  • Environment Environmental performance is a core requirement of the manufacturer charter, as it demonstrates a company’s commitment to reducing its operational impact. Manufacturers must set clear, measurable targets within key operational areas, energy, emissions, waste, and water, and report progress annually.
  • Social sustainability Social sustainability is a vital part of the Origin Green programme, recognising the manufacturer’s role in creating positive impacts for employees, communities, and consumers. Companies must set targets within areas such as employee wellbeing, diversity, equity, and inclusion, community engagement, and product health and nutrition.

Retail and Foodservice Charter

As part of the commitment to this charter, retail and foodservice companies must agree to clear objectives across four key areas:

  • Sustainable sourcing Sustainable sourcing forms a foundational pillar of the Origin Green Retail and Foodservice Charters, reflecting the programme’s commitment to responsible procurement across the food, drink, and horticulture sectors. Companies are required to develop time-bound commitments that strengthen the sustainability of their supply chains, including sourcing from suppliers certified to recognised sustainability standards such as the Bord Bia Sustainability and Quality Assurance Schemes or from Origin Green verified member companies.
  • Environment Environmental targets represent a crucial area of focus, as they address the core impacts a company has on the planet through its day to day activities. Within the Retail and Foodservice Charters, members are required to set measurable targets that may include emissions reduction, waste prevention (including mandatory food waste targets), improvements in water efficiency, or actions to enhance biodiversity.
  • Social Sustainability Social sustainability is a key component of sustainability planning under both charters, emphasising the responsibility companies hold towards their employees, suppliers, and wider communities. Members can develop targets in important areas such as employee wellbeing, diversity, equity, and inclusion, health and nutrition, and community engagement.

Credits System

To support the continued evolution of Origin Green and to strengthen the impact of sustainability planning across the programme, the Origin Green Credits System provides a clear and consistent method for assessing members’ annual performance.

Under this system, all Origin Green members are placed into one of five membership tiers based on their annual revenue. Each tier has defined minimum target requirements, ranging from four targets for smaller companies to eight for the largest companies. These targets form the basis of the annual verification process, with performance scored by independent verifiers using a structured credit-based methodology.

Performance against each sustainability target is assessed annually, with credits awarded according to the level of progress demonstrated. Mandatory targets for each tier must achieve at least a satisfactory score in order for a company to retain membership. The overall scoring system enhances transparency by clearly outlining how targets are evaluated, how credits are awarded, and the criteria required to maintain membership and qualify for initiatives such as Gold Membership.

Gold Membership

Gold Membership recognises Origin Green companies that demonstrate exceptional performance in delivering on their sustainability plans. Each year, members that achieve a predetermined, higher level of progress across their sustainability targets are awarded Gold Membership status.

This designation highlights those companies that consistently show leadership, ambition, and verified impact within the Origin Green programme. Every member has the opportunity to achieve Gold status by meeting the required performance thresholds for their respective tier.

Gold Membership is designed to empower companies to deepen their focus on meaningful implementation of sustainability targets. It also provides enhanced communications opportunities, allowing members to showcase the positive actions and measurable results they deliver through Origin Green.

Become a Member

Origin Green works in partnership with over 61,000 farmers and more than 350 leading Irish food and drink companies to both demonstrate and continuously enhance the sustainability of the food they produce, meeting the evolving expectations of global customers and consumers. Becoming an Origin Green member equips your organisation with the tools, frameworks and support needed to produce food and drink sustainably — today and into the future.

Join today