Setting and Achieving Measurable Environmental Targets

Sustainability goals in Kora provide target management. Set measurable objectives across 15 environmental categories. Track progress from baseline through current values to target achievement. Monitor goal status with on-track/at-risk/behind indicators. Prioritise goals by urgency. Schedule measurements at defined frequencies. Document milestones and achievements. Goal-driven sustainability transforms aspirations into measurable progress. Support accountability, continuous improvement, and evidence-based decision-making through target tracking.

This section explains how sustainability goals are set. What goal categories are supported. How goal tracking drives environmental improvement.

What is a Sustainability Goal?

A sustainability goal is a measurable environmental target with defined baseline, target value, completion date, and progress tracking. Unlike vague commitments ("be more sustainable"), effective goals specify:

• What will be measured: Specific metric (carbon emissions, water consumption, renewable energy percentage)
• Starting point: Baseline value before improvement actions
• Target value: Desired achievement level
• Timeframe: Target completion date (1 year, 3 years, 5 years)
• Progress measurement: How and when progress is monitored

Goal components:

Sustainability Goal Structure:
  Name: "Reduce Carbon Emissions 15%"
  Category: Carbon Reduction
  Type: Reduction (decrease from baseline)

  Baseline Value: 487 tCO2eq (2023 annual emissions)
  Target Value: 414 tCO2eq (15% reduction)
  Current Value: 452 tCO2eq (7.2% reduction achieved)
  Unit: tonnes CO2 equivalent per year

  Start Date: 2024-01-01
  Target Date: 2026-12-31 (3-year goal)

  Progress Percentage: 35% (toward target)
  Status: On Track (35% progress in Year 1 of 3)
  Priority: High

  Measurement Frequency: Monthly carbon tracking
  Next Measurement: 2024-10-01

  Associated With: Farm-wide operations

Why sustainability goals matter:

• Measurability: Specific targets enable objective progress assessment
• Accountability: Documented goals create responsibility and focus
• Motivation: Visible progress builds momentum and team engagement
• Decision support: Goals prioritise resource allocation to highest-impact actions
• Communication: Measurable targets demonstrate commitment to stakeholders
• Continuous improvement: Goal-setting drives ongoing advancement

Goal Categories

Kora supports 15 sustainability goal categories covering major environmental aspects:

Carbon Reduction

Reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Carbon Reduction Goal:

Goal: "Reduce Farm Carbon Footprint 20% by 2027"
  Category: Carbon Reduction
  Type: Reduction

  Baseline (2023): 487 tCO2eq
  Target (2027): 390 tCO2eq (-20%)
  Current (2024): 452 tCO2eq (-7.2% to date)

  Progress: 18% toward goal (Year 1 of 4)
  Status: On Track (on pace for 19% reduction by target date)

  Reduction Actions:
    - Feed efficiency improvements (-8% enteric emissions)
    - Solar panel installation (-7% energy emissions)
    - Rotational grazing expansion (-4% through sequestration)
    - Transportation optimisation (-1% fuel emissions)

  Measurement: Monthly carbon footprint tracking with quarterly reviews

Energy Efficiency

Reducing energy consumption per unit of production.

Water Conservation

Reducing water consumption.

Waste Reduction

Decreasing landfill waste through reduction, reuse, recycling.

Biodiversity Protection

Increasing species diversity and habitat quality.

Soil Health

Improving soil quality and carbon storage.

Animal Welfare

Improving welfare scores.

Renewable Energy

Increasing renewable energy use.

Renewable Energy Goal:

Goal: "Achieve 50% Renewable Energy by 2026"
  Category: Renewable Energy
  Type: Percentage (renewable of total energy)

  Baseline (2023): 8% renewable (grid mix only)
  Target (2026): 50% renewable (+42 percentage points)
  Current (2024): 22% renewable (+14 points to date)

  Progress: 33% toward goal (Year 1 of 3)
  Status: On Track (solar expansion planned)

  Renewable Energy Sources:
    - Solar panels (current): 9,600 kWh/year (25% of electricity)
    - Grid renewable mix: 15% (regional grid composition)
    - Planned solar expansion: +15 kW capacity (2025)

  Investment: $18,000 solar expansion (6.2-year payback, 25-year lifespan)
  Measurement: Monthly energy monitoring (solar generation + grid consumption)

Sustainable Feed

Sourcing certified sustainable feed.

Packaging

Reducing packaging waste.

Transportation

Reducing transportation emissions.

Compliance

Meeting regulatory requirements.

Community Engagement

Sustainability education and outreach.

Resource Efficiency

Improving overall resource productivity.

Goal Types

Goals are classified by improvement direction:

Reduction Goals: Decrease negative impacts (carbon emissions, water use, waste) Increase Goals: Grow positive factors (biodiversity, renewable energy, soil health) Achieve Goals: Reach specific targets (certification, compliance, capacity) Maintain Goals: Sustain high performance (welfare scores, compliance rates) Percentage Goals: Achieve ratio targets (renewable percentage, diversion rates) Binary Goals: Yes/no achievements (certification obtained, compliance maintained)

Progress Tracking and Status

Goal Status Indicators:

On Track: Progress aligned with timeframe At Risk: Progress slower than needed but recoverable Behind: Significant shortfall, unlikely to achieve without major changes Completed: Target achieved Exceeded: Target surpassed

Example status indicators:

On Track Example: Carbon Reduction Goal
  Target: 20% reduction in 4 years (5% reduction/year)
  Year 1 Progress: 7.2% reduction
  Status: On Track (ahead of 5% annual target)
  Interpretation: Excellent progress, likely to achieve or exceed goal

At Risk Example: Water Conservation Goal
  Target: 30% reduction in 2 years (15% reduction/year)
  Year 1 Progress: 8% reduction
  Status: At Risk (below 15% target but achievable with acceleration)
  Action Required: Intensify conservation efforts, additional measures needed

Completed Example: Waste Diversion Goal
  Target: 95% waste diversion by 2024
  Current: 96% waste diversion
  Status: Completed (target exceeded)
  Next Steps: Maintain performance, consider stretch goal (98% diversion)

Priority Levels

Critical Priority: Regulatory compliance, imminent deadlines, high-risk issues High Priority: Significant environmental impact, certifications, major opportunities Medium Priority: Important improvements, moderate impact, standard timelines Low Priority: Nice-to-have enhancements, long timelines, minor impacts

Measurement Frequencies

Daily Tracking: Real-time monitoring (energy, water metres for automated goals) Weekly Tracking: Frequent checks (waste generation, fuel consumption) Monthly Tracking: Regular review (carbon footprint, energy efficiency) Quarterly Tracking: Seasonal assessment (biodiversity, soil moisture, welfare scores) Annually Tracking: Long-cycle metrics (soil testing, comprehensive assessments) Custom Tracking: Event-driven (certifications, project completions)

Milestones and Checkpoints

Goal Milestone Structure:

Carbon Reduction Goal Milestones:
  Goal: Reduce emissions 20% by 2027 (487 tCO2eq → 390 tCO2eq)

  Milestones:
    Milestone 1 (Year 1 - 2024): 5% reduction → 462 tCO2eq
      Achieved: 452 tCO2eq (7.2% reduction)
      Status: ✓ Exceeded milestone

    Milestone 2 (Year 2 - 2025): 10% reduction → 438 tCO2eq
      Target: Additional 14 tCO2eq reduction needed
      Actions: Solar expansion complete, feed efficiency phase 2

    Milestone 3 (Year 3 - 2026): 15% reduction → 414 tCO2eq
      Target: Additional 24 tCO2eq reduction beyond Year 2
      Actions: Rotational grazing full expansion

    Milestone 4 (Year 4 - 2027): 20% reduction → 390 tCO2eq (FINAL TARGET)
      Target: Additional 24 tCO2eq reduction
      Actions: Transportation optimisation, continuous improvement

  Milestone Review: Quarterly progress checks against annual targets
  Adjustment: If behind, accelerate actions; if ahead, consider stretch target