About This Report | JBS USA | Sustainability Report

The goal of our 2020 Sustainability Report is to provide a transparent account of our sustainability management approach and performance. This report has been prepared in accordance with GRI Standards: Core option. This year’s report also includes disclosures from the Meat, Poultry and Dairy sector as outlined by the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB).

In 2015, JBS USA conducted a corporate materiality assessment, and this report is based on the most relevant sustainability issues that were identified in that analysis. The five areas we prioritized from that assessment are: Animal Welfare, Energy and Climate Change, Product Integrity, Team Member Health and Safety and Water. This report also focuses on additional material issues, including emissions, recycling, waste, human resources, the communities in which we operate and our relationships with our suppliers.

This JBS USA Sustainability Report is inclusive of all of our facilities in Australia, Canada, England, France, Mexico, the Netherlands, Northern Ireland, New Zealand, Puerto Rico and the United States. The report describes our activities and performance from our own operations and information on our supply chain whenever possible for the calendar year 2020. All subsidiaries and wholly-owned companies are included in the reporting scope.

We welcome your comments and feedback at sustainability@jbssa.com.

General Disclosures
Disclosures References and Responses
GRI 101: Foundation (2016)
GRI 102: General Disclosures (2016)
Organizational Profile
GRI 102-1 Name of the organization Who We Are > About Our Company
GRI 102-2 Activities, brands, products, and services Who We Are > About Our Company > Our Businesses
GRI 102-3 Location of headquarters Who We Are > About Our Company
GRI 102-4 Location of operations Who We Are > About Our Company
GRI 102-5 Ownership and legal form Who We Are > About Our Company > Our History
GRI 102-6 Markets served Who We Are > About Our Company
GRI 102-7 Scale of the organization Who We Are > About Our Company > Our Businesses
GRI 102-8 Information on employees and other workers Team Members 

Direct Response: In the U.S., compiled safety data includes company employees and any employees provided by temporary staffing agencies. 97% of JBS USA employees are full-time. 99.5% of Pilgrim’s US employees are full-time. In Australia, compiled safety data includes all people working on-site. 87% of JBS Australia employees are full-time. In Europe, compiled safety data includes all company employees and third-party agency staff. 80% of Pilgrim’s Europe employees are full-time. 100% of Pilgrim’s Mexico and JBS Canada employees are full-time. 

Omission
Part of Disclosure Omitted: Total number of employees by contract, by gender and region. And total number of employees by employment type, by gender.
Reason for Omission: Information unavailable
Explanation for Omission: The Company continues to improve data gathering capabilities. Information available on employee gender and geographic region can be found in the Team Members section of this report.

GRI 102-9 Supply chain Suppliers
GRI 102-10 Significant changes to the organization and its supply chain Direct Response: There have not been any significant changes.
GRI 102-11 Precautionary principle or approach Direct Response: Our risk-management approach is inclusive of the material issues identified by our stakeholders, compliance audits and our high-priority areas identified by our executive team.
GRI 102-12 External initiatives Who We Are > Collaboration for a Better Future
GRI 102-13 Membership of associations Who We Are > Collaboration for a Better Future
Strategy
GRI 102-14 Statement from senior decision-maker
GRI 102-15 Key impacts, risks, and opportunities
Ethics and Integrity
GRI 102-16 Values, principles, standards, and norms of behavior Who We Are > Our Culture
GRI 102-17 Mechanisms for advice and concerns about ethics
Governance
GRI 102-18 Governance structure
GRI 102-20 Executive-level responsibility for economic, environmental, and social topics Who We Are > Our Management Approach
GRI 102-21 Consulting stakeholders on economic, environmental, and social topics
GRI 102-22 Composition of the highest governance body and its committees

Direct Response: The JBS Independent Advisory Board is made up of four, male, non-executive board members. Each have served on the Board for four years and brought knowledge from diverse backgrounds in the private and public sectors.

GRI 102-23 Chair of the highest governance body Direct Response: JBS USA does not have a chairman of the Independent Advisory Board.
GRI 102-25 Conflicts of interest Who We Are > Leadership and Governance > Corporate Governance and Compliance

Direct Response: Each Team Member, including members of Independent Advisory Board, must provide a disclosure to JBS identifying any and all potential conflicts of interest he or she may encounter. No Team Member should serve as a director of a forprofit corporation without disclosing the position to JBS’s Ethics Officer and obtaining approval to serve. JBS encourages Team Members to serve on the boards of not-for-profit organizations, if such service does not conflict with the Team Member’s commitment to JBS. For more information, visit the
JBS Code of Conduct and Ethics.

GRI 102-26 Role of highest governance body in setting purpose, values, and strategy Direct Response: The JBS USA CEO takes a direct role in the development, approval and updating of the organization’s purpose, value or mission statements, strategies, policies, and goals related to economic, environmental, and social topics. The Independent Advisory Board discusses management policies and procedures in addressing these topics.
GRI 102-27 Collective knowledge of highest governance body
GRI 102-31 Review of economic, environmental, and social topics
GRI 102-32 Highest governance body’s role in sustainability reporting Direct Response: Senior leadership at JBS USA reviews and approves the sustainability report to ensure all material topics are covered. The Independent Advisory Board is also provided a copy of the report.
GRI 102-33 Communicating critical concerns Who We Are > Our Approach
Stakeholder Engagement
GRI 102-40 List of stakeholder groups
GRI 102-41 Collective bargaining agreements Team Members > Our Management Approach
GRI 102-42 Identifying and selecting stakeholders Who We Are > Our Approach
GRI 102-43 Approach to stakeholder engagement
GRI 102-44 Key topics and concerns raised
Reporting Practice
GRI 102-45 Entities included in the consolidated financial statements
GRI 102-46 Defining report content and topic boundaries
GRI 102-47 List of material topics
GRI 102-48 Restatements of information Direct Response: There are no significant restatements. In some cases, data collection was improved and/or calculation errors were corrected for previous years.
GRI 102-49 Changes in reporting Direct Response: There are no significant changes in the reporting scope.
GRI 102-50 Reporting period About This Report
GRI 102-51 Date of most recent report Direct Response: The 2020 JBS USA Sustainability Report was published in June 2021.
GRI 102-52 Reporting cycle Direct Response: JBS USA reports annually on its sustainability performance.
GRI 102-53 Contact point for questions regarding the report About This Report
GRI 102-54 Claims of reporting in accordance with the GRI Standards About This Report
GRI 102-55 GRI content index About This Report
GRI 102-56 External assurance Direct Response: We did not seek external assurance for this report.
Material Topics
Economic References and Responses
Economic Performance
GRI 103: Management Approach 2016
GRI 103-1 Explanation of the material topic and its Boundary
GRI 103-2 The management approach and its components
GRI 103-3 Evaluation of the management approach
GRI 201: Economic Performance 2016
GRI 201-1 Direct economic value generated and distributed
Procurement Practices
GRI 103: Management Approach 2016
GRI 103-1 Explanation of the material topic and its Boundary Suppliers
GRI 103-2 The management approach and its components
GRI 103-3 Evaluation of the management approach
GRI 204: Procurement Practices 2016
GRI 204-1 Proportion of spending on local suppliers
Anti-Corruption
GRI 103: Management Approach 2016
GRI 103-1 Explanation of the material topic and its Boundary
GRI 103-2 The management approach and its components
GRI 103-3 Evaluation of the management approach
GRI 205: Anti-Corruption 2016
GRI 205-2 Communication and training about anti-corruption policies and procedures
Environmental References and Responses
Energy
GRI 103: Management Approach 2016
GRI 103-1 Explanation of the material topic and its Boundary Environment > Energy and Emissions
GRI 103-2 The management approach and its components Environment > Energy and Emissions
GRI 103-3 Evaluation of the management approach
GRI 302: Energy 2016
GRI 302-1 Energy consumption within the organization Environment > Energy and Emissions
GRI 302-3 Energy intensity Environment > Energy and Emissions > 2020 Progress
GRI 302-4 Reduction of energy consumption Environment > Energy and Emissions > 2020 Progress
GRI 302-5 Reductions in energy requirements of products and services Environment > Energy and Emissions > 2020 Progress
Water and Effluents
GRI 103: Management Approach 2016
GRI 103-1 Explanation of the material topic and its Boundary Environment > Water
GRI 103-2 The management approach and its components Environment > Water
GRI 103-3 Evaluation of the management approach Environment > Water
GRI 303: Water and Effluents 2018
GRI 303-1 Interactions with water as a shared resource Environment > Water
GRI 303-2 Management of water discharge-related impacts Environment > Water
GRI 303-3 Water withdrawal Environment > Water
Emissions
GRI 103: Management Approach 2016
GRI 103-1 Explanation of the material topic and its Boundary Environment > Energy and Emissions
GRI 103-2 The management approach and its components Environment > Energy and Emissions
GRI 103-3 Evaluation of the management approach Environment > Energy and Emissions
GRI 305: Emissions 2016
GRI 305-1 Direct (Scope 1) GHG emissions Environment > Energy and Emissions > 2020 Progress
GRI 305-2 Energy indirect (Scope 2) GHG emissions Environment > Energy and Emissions > 2020 Progress
GRI 305-4 GHG emissions intensity Environment > Energy and Emissions > 2020 Progress
Effluents And Waste
GRI 103: Management Approach 2016
GRI 103-1 Explanation of the material topic and its Boundary Environment > Waste Reduction and Recycling 
GRI 103-2 The management approach and its components
GRI 103-3 Evaluation of the management approach
GRI 306: Effluents and Waste 2016
GRI 306-2 Waste by type and disposal method Environment > Waste Reduction and Recycling > 2020 Progress
Supplier Environmental Compliance
GRI 103: Management Approach 2016
GRI 103-1 Explanation of the material topic and its Boundary Suppliers 
GRI 103-2 The management approach and its components Suppliers > Our Commitment
GRI 103-3 Evaluation of the management approach Suppliers 
GRI 308: Supplier Environmental Assessment 2016
GRI 308-1 New suppliers that were screened using environmental criteria Suppliers 

Direct Response: All new and existing JBS USA Suppliers are held to the Supplier Code of Conduct, which covers a number of criteria including environmental issues.

Social References and Responses
Employment
GRI 103: Management Approach 2016
GRI 103-1 Explanation of the material topic and its Boundary Team Members
GRI 103-2 The management approach and its components
GRI 103-3 Evaluation of the management approach Team Members > Building a Diverse and Dedicated Workforce
GRI 401: Employment 2016
GRI 401-1 New employee hires and employee turnover Omission
Parts of Disclosure Omitted: New employee hires and employee turnover by category.
Reason for Omission: Confidentiality constraints
Explanation for Omission: Reasons for limiting disclosure include, but are not limited to, competitive advantage for the company.
GRI 401-2 Benefits provided to full-time employees that are not provided to temporary or part-time employees
Occupational Health and Safety
GRI 103: Management Approach 2016
GRI 103-1 Explanation of the material topic and its Boundary
GRI 103-2 The management approach and its components
GRI 103-3 Evaluation of the management approach
GRI 403: Occupational Health and Safety 2018
GRI 403-1 Occupational health and safety management system Team Members > Team Member Health and Safety
GRI 403-2 Hazard identification, risk assessment, and incident investigation Team Members > Team Member Health and Safety
GRI 403-3 Occupational health services Team Members > Team Member Health and Safety
GRI 403-4 Worker participation, consultation, and communication on occupational health and safety Team Members > Team Member Health and Safety
GRI 403-5 Worker training on occupational health and safety Team Members > Team Member Health and Safety
GRI 403-6 Promotion of worker health
GRI 403-7 Prevention and mitigation of occupational health and safety impacts directly linked by business relationships Team Members > Team Member Health and Safety
GRI 403-9 Work-related injuries Team Members > Team Member Health and Safety
Diversity and Equal Opportunity
GRI 103: Management Approach 2016
GRI 103-1 Explanation of the material topic and its Boundary Team Members > Building a Diverse and Dedicated Workforce
GRI 103-2 The management approach and its components Team Members > Building a Diverse and Dedicated Workforce
GRI 103-3 Evaluation of the management approach Team Members > Building a Diverse and Dedicated Workforce
GRI 405: Diversity and Equal Opportunity 2016
GRI 405-1 Diversity of governance bodies and employees
Non-Discrimination
GRI 103: Management Approach 2016
GRI 103-1 Explanation of the material topic and its Boundary Team Members > Building a Diverse and Dedicated Workforce
GRI 103-2 The management approach and its components Team Members > Building a Diverse and Dedicated Workforce
GRI 103-3 Evaluation of the management approach Team Members > Building a Diverse and Dedicated Workforce
GRI 406: Non-Discrimination 2016
GRI 406-1 Incidents of discrimination and corrective actions taken

Omission
Part of Disclosure Omitted: Total number of incidents of discrimination during the reporting period.
Reason for Omission: Confidentiality constraints
Explanation for Omission: In 2020, 1,974 Ethics Line reports were filed, investigated and closed, with appropriate personnel or other administrative action taken when warranted. In order to protect the confidentially of those who filed reports, the Company will not disclose the number of alleged incidents in any category.

Freedom of Association and Collective Bargaining
GRI 103: Management Approach 2016
GRI 103-1 Explanation of the material topic and its Boundary
GRI 103-2 The management approach and its components
GRI 103-3 Evaluation of the management approach
GRI 407: Freedom of Association and Collective Bargaining 2016
GRI 407-1 Operations and suppliers in which the right to freedom of association and collective bargaining may be at risk
Child Labor
GRI 103: Management Approach 2016
GRI 103-1 Explanation of the material topic and its Boundary Team Members > Our Management Approach
GRI 103-2 The management approach and its components Team Members > Our Management Approach
GRI 103-3 Evaluation of the management approach Team Members > Our Management Approach
GRI 408: Child Labor 2016
GRI 408-1 Operations and suppliers at significant risk for incidents of child labor
Forced or Compulsory Labor
GRI 103: Management Approach 2016
GRI 103-1 Explanation of the material topic and its Boundary Team Members > Our Management Approach
GRI 103-2 The management approach and its components Team Members > Our Management Approach
GRI 103-3 Evaluation of the management approach Team Members > Our Management Approach
GRI 409: Forced or Compulsory Labor 2016
GRI 409-1 Operations and suppliers at significant risk for incidents of forced or compulsory labor
Human Rights Assessment
GRI 103: Management Approach 2016
GRI 103-1 Explanation of the material topic and its Boundary
GRI 103-2 The management approach and its components
GRI 103-3 Evaluation of the management approach
GRI 412: Human Rights Assessment 2016
GRI 412-3 Significant investment agreements and contracts that include human rights clauses or that underwent human rights screening Suppliers
Supplier Social Assessment
GRI 103: Management Approach 2016
GRI 103-1 Explanation of the material topic and its Boundary Suppliers
GRI 103-2 The management approach and its components
GRI 103-3 Evaluation of the management approach Suppliers
GRI 414: Supplier Social Assessment 2016
GRI 414-1 New suppliers that were screened using social criteria Suppliers

Direct Response: All new and existing JBS USA Suppliers are held to the Supplier Code of Conduct, which covers a number of criteria including social issues.

Animal Welfare
GRI 103: Management Approach 2016
GRI 103-1 Explanation of the material topic and its Boundary Animal Care
GRI 103-2 The management approach and its components
GRI 103-3 Evaluation of the management approach
GRI G4: Animal Welfare
G4-FP9  Percentage and total of animals raised and/or processed, by species and breed type
G4-FP10  Policies and practices, by species and breed type, relate to physical alterations and the use of anesthetics Animal Care > Health and Nutrition > Veterinary Care
G4-FP12  Policies and practices on antibiotic, anti-inflammatory, hormone and/or growth promotion treatments, by species and breed type
Customer Health and Safety
GRI 103: Management Approach 2016
GRI 103-1 Explanation of the material topic and its Boundary Customers and Consumers
GRI 103-2 The management approach and its components Customers and Consumers > Food Safety and Quality > Our Management Approach

Direct Response: In cases where product is stored for sale at a later date, it is held in approved on- or off-site cold storage facilities in accordance with our food safety and quality programs and labeled ready for sale. Our goal is to dispose of as little product as possible. As appropriate, we will investigate options for food donations or reuse in pet food production streams before we implement disposal of product. Of course, in the rare occurrence there is a food safety concern with the product, disposal will occur to ensure consumer safety.

GRI 103-3 Evaluation of the management approach Customers and Consumers
GRI 416: Customer Health and Safety 2016
GRI 416-1 Assessment of the health and safety impacts of product and service categories
Marketing and Labeling
GRI 103: Management Approach 2016
GRI 103-1 Explanation of the material topic and its Boundary
GRI 103-2 The management approach and its components
GRI 103-3 Evaluation of the management approach
GRI 417: Marketing and Labeling 2016
GRI 417-1 Requirements for product and service information and labeling

Direct Response: In cases where product is stored for sale at a later date, it is held in approved on- or off-site cold storage facilities in accordance with our food safety and quality programs and labeled ready for sale.

Table 1. Sustainability Disclosure Topics & Accounting Metrics
Topic Accounting Metric Category Unit of Measure Code Response
Greenhouse Gas Emissions Gross global Scope 1 emissions Quantitative Metric tons (t)
CO₂-e
FB-MP-110a.1 Environment > Energy and Emissions
Discussion of long-term and short-term strategy or plan to manage Scope 1 emissions, emissions reduction targets, and an analysis of performance against those targets Discussion and Analysis n/a FB-MP-110a.2 Environment > Energy and Emissions
Energy Management (1) Total energy consumed, (2) percentage grid electricity, (3) percentage renewable Quantitative Gigajoules (GJ),
Percentage (%)
FB-MP-130a.1
Water Management (1) Total water withdrawn, (2) total water consumed, percentage of each in regions with High or Extremely High Baseline Water Stress Quantitative Thousand cubic
meters (m³),
Percentage (%)
FB-MP-140a.1 Environment > Water
Description of water management risks and discussion of strategies and practices to mitigate those risks Discussion and Analysis n/a FB-MP-140a.2 Environment > Water
Number of incidents of non-compliance with water quality permits, standards, and regulations Quantitative Number FB-MP-140a.3 Facilities are required to operate in accordance with all regionally-applicable water quality permits, standards, and regulations. Incidents of non-compliance, which occur across the industry, range in seriousness and are addressed swiftly.
Land Use & Ecology Impacts Amount of animal litter and manure
generated, percentage managed according to
a nutrient management plan
Quantitative Metric tons (t),
Percentage (%)
FB-MP-160a.1
  • Suppliers
  • Through our Supplier Code of Conduct, all vendors must comply with all applicable environmental laws and regulations in the jurisdiction where the Vendor operates. Vendors should use best efforts to meet industry best practices and standards and responsibly manage the environmental impact of their operations.
Percentage of pasture and grazing land managed to Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) conservation plan criteria Quantitative Metric tons (t),
Percentage (%)
FB-MP-160a.2
  • Suppliers
  • Our suppliers are required to operate with respect to the environment and in accordance with various conservation plans as outlined by their local, state and federal regulations.
Animal protein production from concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) Quantitative Metric tons (t),
Percentage (%)
FB-MP-160a.3
  • Suppliers
  • JBS USA is unable to provide a quantitative value related to the livestock and outside meat we procure that may be raised in CAFO production systems.
Food Safety Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) audit (1) non-conformance rate and (2) associated corrective action rate for (a) major and (b) minor non-conformances Quantitative Rate FB-MP-250a.1 Customers and Consumers > Food Safety and Quality
Percentage of supplier facilities certified to a Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) food safety certification program Quantitative Percentage (%) FB-MP-250a.2 Information on supplier engagement criteria and operations is available in the Suppliers section of this report.
(1) Number of recalls issued and (2) total weight of products recalled Quantitative Number, Metric
tons (t)
FB-MP-250a.3 Customers and Consumers > Food Safety and Quality
Discussion of markets that ban imports of the entity’s products Discussion and Analysis n/a FB-MP-250a.4 JBS USA complies fully with any restrictions, bans or suspended imports of its products. The Company does not currently have any products that fall into the category due to SPS measures.
Antibiotic Use in Animal Production Percentage of animal production that received (1) medically important antibiotics and (2) not medically important antibiotics, by animal type Quantitative Percentage (%)
by weight
FB-MP-260a.1
  • Animal Care > Health and Nutrition
  • JBS USA practices the principles of judicious use regarding antibiotics but we are not prepared to disclose information from across our full supply chain beyond what is included in the Animal Care section of this report.
Workforce Health & Safety (1) Total recordable incident rate (TRIR) and (2)
fatality rate
Quantitative Rate FB-MP-320a.1
Description of efforts to assess, monitor, and mitigate acute and chronic respiratory health conditions Discussion and Analysis n/a FB-MP-320a.2
Animal Care & Welfare Percentage of pork produced without the use
of gestation crates
Quantitative Percentage (%)
by weight
FB-MP-410a.1
  • Animal Care > Housing
  • Our facilities meet or exceed industry guidelines to make sure that our animals are comfortable and safeguarded from extreme weather events and predators.
Percentage of cage-free shell egg sales Quantitative Percentage (%) FB-MP-410a.2 We do not sell eggs.
Percentage of production certified to a third-party animal welfare standard Quantitative Percentage (%)
by weight
FB-MP-410a.3
Environmental & Social Impacts of Animal Supply Chain Percentage of livestock from suppliers implementing the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) conservation plan criteria or the equivalent Quantitative Percentage (%)
by weight
FB-MP-430a.1
  • Suppliers
  • Our suppliers are required to operate with respect to the environment and in accordance with various conservation plans as outlined by their local, state and federal regulations.
Percentage of supplier and contract production facilities verified to meet animal welfare standards Quantitative Percentage (%) FB-MP-430a.2
Animal & Feed Sourcing Percentage of animal feed sourced from regions with High or Extremely High Baseline Water Stress Quantitative Percentage (%)
by weight
FB-MP-440a.1 Animal Care > Health and Nutrition > Nutrition
Percentage of contracts with producers located in regions with High or Extremely High Baseline Water Stress Quantitative Percentage (%)
by contract value
FB-MP-440a.2 Environment > Water
Discussion of strategy to manage opportunities and risks to feed sourcing and livestock supply presented by climate change Discussion and Analysis n/a FB-MP-440a.3

Table 2. Activity Metrics
Accounting Metric Category Unit of Measure Code Response
Number of processing and manufacturing facilities Quantitative Number FB-MP-000.A Who We Are > Facilities and Locations
Animal protein production, by category; percentage outsourced Quantitative Various, Percentages (%) FB-MP-000.B Who We Are > About Our Company