INGREDIENTS 
THAT MATTER
2022 SUSTAINABILITY REPORT

Table of Contents
3
About This Report
4
Letter From Our 
Chief Executive Officer
6
About Green Plains
6
Our Business
7
Awards and Memberships
8
Our Principles and Values
9
Our Commitment to 
Sustainability
10
ESG and Climate Change Governance
12
Stakeholder Engagement and Key 
ESG Topics
13
Value Chain Transformation
14
A Culture of Innovation
21
ESG Highlights
27
Environmental
28
Climate Change and GHG Emissions
39
Energy Use and Efficiency
42
Water Management
45
Natural Capital and Land Stewardship
49
Waste, Circularity and Environmental 
Compliance
51
Social
52
Employee Health and Safety
56
Talent Acquisition, Engagement and DE&I
58
Training, Learning and Career 
Development
61
Customers
63
Suppliers
64
Communities
65
Governance
66
Board Composition and Structure
69
Ethics and Compliance
71
Reporting Frameworks
72
Global Reporting Initiative (GRI)
81
Biofuels Standard from the Sustainability 
Accounting Standards Board (SASB)
83
Task Force on Climate-Related Financial 
Disclosure (TCFD)
84
Alignment with United Nations 
Sustainable Development Goals
89
Other Information
89
Index of Defined Terms
91
Assurance Letter
94
Forward-Looking Statements
ABOUT
GREEN PLAINS
OUR COMMITMENT
TO SUSTAINABILITY
ENVIRONMENTAL
SOCIAL
GOVERNANCE
REPORTING
FRAMEWORKS
2
GREEN PLAINS INC.
2022 SUSTAINABILITY REPORT

ABOUT
GREEN PLAINS
OUR COMMITMENT
TO SUSTAINABILITY
ENVIRONMENTAL
SOCIAL
GOVERNANCE
REPORTING
FRAMEWORKS
3
GREEN PLAINS INC.
2022 SUSTAINABILITY REPORT
About This Report
This 2022 Sustainability Report is a testament to Green Plains' ongoing commitment to corporate 
citizenship and our strategic transformation. This report covers our environmental, social and 
governance (ESG) data and initiatives during calendar year 2022. We also share details on goals and 
initiatives that extend into 2023 and beyond.
The environmental data in this report, with the exception 
of the GHG emissions inventory, is limited to the 
biorefinery production segment of our operations, 
including our biorefining facilities. The GHG emissions 
inventory covers all relevant GHG emissions, from all 
relevant sources and subsidiaries. The boundary coverage 
for Scopes 1 and 2 emissions is 99.69%, and the boundary 
coverage for Scope 3 emissions is 100%.
The social and governance data in this report is 
enterprise-wide. Select data in this report has also 
received external limited assurance by a third party, Apex 
Companies, LLC. Please see page 91 for a copy of the 
assurance letter and complete listing of the metrics that 
received limited assurance.
Inquiries related to the report and its content 
should be directed to our sustainability team at 
sustainability@gpreinc.com. More information can 
also be found at gpreinc.com/sustainability.
Green Plains has reported the information cited in the 
GRI content index for the period January 1, 2022 through 
December 31, 2022 with reference to the 2021 Global 
Reporting Initiative (GRI) Standards. This report also 
references applicable United Nations Sustainable 
Development Goals (UN SDGs). We also disclose under 
the Biofuels Standard from the Sustainability Accounting 
Standards Board (SASB) and align with the Task Force 
on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) 
framework. See page 71 for our Reporting Frameworks.

Letter From Our Chief Executive Officer
ABOUT
GREEN PLAINS
OUR COMMITMENT
TO SUSTAINABILITY
ENVIRONMENTAL
SOCIAL
GOVERNANCE
REPORTING
FRAMEWORKS
4
GREEN PLAINS INC.
2022 SUSTAINABILITY REPORT
Green Plains has reached a pivotal point in our transformation, gaining momentum 
in 2022 with progress across all aspects of our evolution into a true biorefinery 
platform, creating sustainable ingredients that matter. We are expanding 
production of our novel ingredients, attracting new partners and entering new 
markets, all while lowering our carbon intensity. Our ingredients’ quality is higher 
than ever before, each one a low-carbon alternative to competitors already on the 
market and each one a crucial component of our broader vision that encompasses 
the four pillars of our transformation: Protein, Renewable Corn Oil, Sugar and 
Carbon. Within these pillars, we are focused on developing cleaner technologies, 
providing lower-carbon solutions to existing industries, reducing our own carbon 
intensity and enhancing our role in the circular economy.
In 2022, we started up our protein 
technology installations at three additional 
locations and now have a total of five 
operational — over half of our production 
capacity — with Ultra-High Protein 
capacity of 330,000 tons. We announced a 
partnership with North America’s premier 
aquaculture producer, Riverence Group, 
further validating the quality and efficacy 
of our product and platform. Our 
high-protein ingredients not only have a 
lower carbon intensity than available 
alternatives and are more nutritious, but 
they also help reduce the need to feed fish 
to fish, relieving pressure on aquatic 
ecosystems.
We broke ground on the first-of-its-kind 
commercial-scale Clean Sugar Technology™ 
facility at our biorefinery in Shenandoah, 
Iowa, and are already in discussions with 
potential co-location partners and 
customers. The dextrose molecules from 
this patented process, developed and 
owned by Fluid Quip Technologies, have a 
lower carbon intensity than alternatives 
traditionally produced at wet mills and have 
a wide range of applications, including 
bioplastics, biochemicals and synthetic 
biology. We believe we have only begun to 
unlock the potential for this ingredient to 
displace petroleum-based molecules and 
build a truly renewable supply chain to 
jump-start the fermentation revolution.
PRIORITIZING
SUSTAINABLE CHOICES
Our customers in aquaculture, 
pet food, dextrose and other 
verticals want assurance that our 
ingredients are renewable and 
have a lower CI than available 
alternatives.

Fluid Quip Technologies’ intellectual property has 
enabled us to achieve all-time record levels of 
renewable corn oil production. This inedible oil is 
a highly sought after feedstock for the production 
of biodiesel, renewable diesel and sustainable 
aviation fuel, due to its low carbon intensity. 
We’ve also teamed up with United Airlines and 
Tallgrass on a robust partnership to develop 
alcohol-to-jet sustainable aviation fuel with an 
exclusive license on Pacific Northwest National 
Laboratory’s ketone technology. This joint 
venture, Blue Blade Energy, is the first such 
partnership to include feedstock, off-take, 
technology and infrastructure entities. Without a 
doubt, innovative technology was a noteworthy 
theme for Green Plains in 2022, as it guided the 
significant progress we have achieved in 
our transformation.
We are partners in one of the largest carbon 
capture and sequestration projects in the world 
and are exploring additional opportunities to 
ensure that our path to carbon neutrality by 2050 
remains on track. We made these commitments 
before the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act, 
but this landmark legislation enhances the 
benefits of our carbon intensity reductions and 
opens the door to consideration of new 
technologies at our biorefineries as well as 
enhanced partnerships with our farmer customers 
to expand regenerative agriculture practices.
While decarbonization can stand on its own as a 
pillar of our transformation, it also underpins all 
other initiatives as the world shifts to more 
sustainable preferences for all things from fuels to 
food. Our customers in aquaculture, pet food, 
dextrose and other verticals want assurance that 
our ingredients are renewable and have a lower 
carbon intensity than available alternatives.
2022 brought notable improvements in our 
corporate governance as well. We added 
seasoned experts to our leadership team and 
reorganized to align with our evolving company, 
as our transformation into the biorefinery 
platform of the future achieves critical mass. Our 
Board of Directors and senior leadership team 
members are fully dedicated to our sustainability 
goals and are clear on their roles in ensuring that 
we achieve them.
Further aligning with stakeholder expectations, 
we enhanced our reporting to the Task Force on 
Climate-related Financial Disclosures to include 
scenario analysis and have secured approval of 
our near-term carbon reduction targets from the 
Science Based Targets initiative. Our stakeholders 
demand credibility and assurance that our goals 
are at the center of our operations, and we are 
putting in the work to demonstrate that our 
commitments are real.
Our ingredients are, by nature, renewable, and 
by producing more sustainable alternatives for 
our customers, we solidify our position as a 
thought leader at the intersection of agriculture, 
energy and technology. This vision guides 
decisions in our day-to-day operations, with all 
actions geared toward our overall strategy of 
providing the world with more environmentally 
friendly alternatives for feed, fuel and the 
emerging bioeconomy.
As you’ll see in the pages that follow, we have 
continued to build an actionable road map to our 
ambitious goals, executing on strategies along the 
way and continuously improving as best practices 
evolve. We hold ourselves to high standards, but 
perhaps more importantly, you hold us to high 
standards. And we will continue to deliver.
Todd Becker
PRESIDENT AND CEO
ABOUT
GREEN PLAINS
OUR COMMITMENT
TO SUSTAINABILITY
ENVIRONMENTAL
SOCIAL
GOVERNANCE
REPORTING
FRAMEWORKS
5
GREEN PLAINS INC.
2022 SUSTAINABILITY REPORT

About Green Plains
Our Business
ABOUT
GREEN PLAINS
OUR COMMITMENT
TO SUSTAINABILITY
ENVIRONMENTAL
SOCIAL
GOVERNANCE
REPORTING
FRAMEWORKS
6
GREEN PLAINS INC.
2022 SUSTAINABILITY REPORT
Green Plains Inc. (NASDAQ:GPRE) is an 
ag-tech innovator utilizing our experience in 
agribusiness and fermentation, along with our 
status as a leader in biorefining, to push 
technological advancement and innovation in 
our ingredient sectors. We produce 
low-carbon biofuels, renewable feedstocks for 
advanced biofuels, high-protein ingredients 
for animal diets, dextrose for use in 
bioplastics and biosynthetics, and high-purity 
alcohols. Every day we work to create more 
value from fewer resources, seize meaningful 
opportunities for our company and innovate 
ingredients to meet our customers’ needs, all 
while serving as stewards of the environment.
We are focused on producing lower-carbon alternatives 
to help reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the 
global supply chain and have a positive impact in the fight 
against climate change.
For more information, visit www.gpreinc.com.

GREEN PLAINS AT A GLANCE
48,267,162
metric tons of carbon 
reduction to date(1)
872,133,000
gallons of renewable 
biofuel sold in 2022
100%
of corn 
purchased from 
non-deforested, 
US-domestic 
sources(3)
958,000,000
gallons of renewable biofuel 
production capacity(2)
301,868,000
bushels of corn 
consumed in 2022
5
sustainable 
technology 
installations
281,730,000
pounds of renewable corn oil sold 
in 2022
2,280,000
tons of dry equivalent 
animal feed sold in 2022
Awards
Green Plains was among the Top 50 in the 2022 Real Leaders Eco Innovation Awards, a 
recognition of our achievements: reducing energy and water usage, lowering operating costs and 
reducing our carbon footprint. We were also named among America's Most Responsible 
Companies 2023 by Newsweek and Statista.
Memberships
1 
Estimated CO2 amount to have been kept out of the atmosphere due to Green Plains-produced low-carbon fuel between 2007 and 2022.
2 2022 10-K Production Capacity.
3 Based on compliance with RFS regulations (40 CFR § 80.1401), which requires the use of “renewable biomass” as an ethanol feedstock; by definition means that planted crops cannot 
come from deforested land. Additionally, we use U.S. corn and have not imported corn from international markets where deforestation might be prevalent.
ABOUT
GREEN PLAINS
OUR COMMITMENT
TO SUSTAINABILITY
ENVIRONMENTAL
SOCIAL
GOVERNANCE
REPORTING
FRAMEWORKS
7
GREEN PLAINS INC.
2022 SUSTAINABILITY REPORT
OUR TECHNOLOGY 
SUITE AND 
STRATEGIC 
PARTNERS ENABLE
the evolution and 
enhancement of 
our sustainable 
production 
capabilities. We 
continuously strive to 
find innovative ways to 
produce more from our 
existing renewable 
resources.

C
H
A
R
T
CUSTOMER CENTRIC
HUNGRY
ACCOUNTABILITY
RESPONSIBILITY
TRANSPARENCY
We make a difference in the 
world by providing quality 
ingredients to safely meet 
customer needs.
• Ingredient mindset
• Quality and safety focus
• Understand our impact
We are passionate, 
collaborative and seek 
achievement across all 
areas of our business.
• Competitive spirit
• Collaborative
• All-in mentality
We exercise sound 
judgment and self-discipline 
to drive impactful results.
• Self-discipline
• Sound judgment
• Impactful results
We serve our customers, 
communities, investors 
and families by striving for 
sustainability and diversity 
in all that we do.
• Leadership in ESG
• Diversity and inclusion
• Work / life balance
We respectfully challenge 
ourselves to achieve 
excellence, while focused on 
our clear mission to innovate 
and create sustainable 
ingredients that matter.
• Clear corporate mission
• Respectful candor
• Culture of innovation
ABOUT
GREEN PLAINS
OUR COMMITMENT
TO SUSTAINABILITY
ENVIRONMENTAL
SOCIAL
GOVERNANCE
REPORTING
FRAMEWORKS
8
GREEN PLAINS INC.
2022 SUSTAINABILITY REPORT
Our Principles and Values
Our five core principles help us CHART our course and provide 
a framework for evolving in a rapidly decarbonizing world.

page
10
ESG and 
Climate Change 
Governance
page
12
Stakeholder 
Engagement and Key 
ESG Topics
page
13
Value Chain 
Transformation
page
14
A Culture of 
Innovation
page
21
ESG Highlights
ABOUT
GREEN PLAINS
OUR COMMITMENT
TO SUSTAINABILITY
ENVIRONMENTAL
SOCIAL
GOVERNANCE
REPORTING
FRAMEWORKS
9
GREEN PLAINS INC.
2022 SUSTAINABILITY REPORT
Our Commitment 
to Sustainability
Sustainability is both a driver and an 
outcome of our ongoing transformation 
into a customer-centric producer of 
low-carbon ingredients.
Green Plains is committed to fully realizing this transformation. We are 
passionate about delivering on the rapidly expanding opportunities and 
crucial benefits of the emerging bioeconomy.
In concrete terms, this means that we continually innovate across our four 
pillars of Protein, Renewable Corn Oil, Sugar and Carbon. We are advancing 
and multiplying our renewable processes and coproducts to benefit a far-
reaching set of stakeholders — employees, farmers, customers, suppliers, 
shareholders, communities and our shared environment.
In parallel, we continue to evolve our social and governance infrastructures to 
enable the success of our ambitious initiatives. We work to continually 
evaluate and improve our practices in these areas to position Green Plains to 
meet the growing sustainability needs of a changing world.
SUSTAINABILITY OVERVIEW

ESG and Climate Change Governance
Board Oversight
The Green Plains Board monitors compliance with 
the company’s regulatory requirements and is 
dedicated to the oversight of ESG topics, 
including climate change, GHG emissions and 
employee safety. The Nominating and 
Governance Committee of the Board has primary 
oversight of our ESG initiatives, with the goal of 
integrating ESG strategy into our overall business 
strategy. The Board’s other committees 
provide support to the entire Senior Leadership 
Team (SLT) by overseeing certain key areas of 
impact.
Nominating and Governance 
Committee
Pursuant to its charter, the Nominating and 
Governance Committee oversees ESG topics, 
including the development, approval and 
updating of the Company’s ESG purpose, mission 
statements, strategies, policies and goals. It is 
responsible for monitoring progress of strategy 
and goals and reviewing climate-related topics on 
a quarterly basis. The committee is earnest 
about transparency and is responsible for 
oversight of ESG initiatives, including this 
Sustainability Report.
Audit Committee
The Audit Committee monitors compliance with 
the company's Code of Ethics and hotline 
reporting and reviews conflicts of interest and 
related-party transactions. The Audit Committee 
is also responsible for assessing risks related to 
cybersecurity and mitigating those exposures 
with policies and procedures.
Compensation Committee
The Compensation Committee determines 
remuneration policies with help from third-party 
compensation consultants. The committee holds 
our executives accountable for our ESG priorities 
by integrating performance measures that align 
with our goals. Since 2012, we have included a 
safety metric in our annual incentive award 
program and adopted a compensation recovery 
policy that goes beyond legal requirements and 
puts emphasis on ethics and compliance. Our 
2021 and 2022 compensation programs 
incorporated ESG performance criteria.
ABOUT
GREEN PLAINS
OUR COMMITMENT
TO SUSTAINABILITY
ENVIRONMENTAL
SOCIAL
GOVERNANCE
REPORTING
FRAMEWORKS
10
GREEN PLAINS INC.
2022 SUSTAINABILITY REPORT

Management Governance
Green Plains’ President and CEO is the most 
senior member of the SLT responsible for the 
company’s overall strategy and performance, 
including oversight of ESG topics such as climate-
related risks and opportunities. The SLT is 
composed of the President and CEO, Chief 
Financial Officer, Chief Transformation Officer, 
Chief Accounting Officer, Chief Legal & 
Administration Officer (CLAO), Chief Human 
Resources Officer, Executive Vice President of 
Investor Relations, Executive Vice President of 
Operations & Technology, Executive Vice 
President of Commercial Operations and 
Executive Vice President of Product Marketing & 
Innovation. The President and CEO is also a 
member of the Board, reporting to the Board on a 
regular basis. In recognition of the importance of 
collaboration and integration of ESG across the 
organization, our SLT is actively engaged with:
• Developing governance practices responsive to 
climate-related issues.
• Regularly reviewing the company's 
performance versus targets related to ESG 
goals such as GHG emissions, energy use, 
customer relationships, employee safety, 
customer safety and community outreach.
• Incorporating risk assessment and ESG strategy 
into financial and operational plans.
• Making recommendations to our Compensation 
Committee to link executive compensation to 
ESG performance.
• Implementing technical and operational 
changes that improve climate-related 
performance.
• Engaging with investors on climate-related 
issues.
• Participating in the company's climate-related 
disclosure practices.
The SLT is the highest management level 
responsible for climate-related issues, and the 
ESG Workgroup is responsible for the day-to-day 
identification and management of ESG topics and 
their impacts, risks and opportunities. This group 
consists of cross-functional subject matter 
experts at the associate, management and 
executive levels and is led by the ESG Program 
Manager and Senior Vice President (SVP), 
Sustainability, who coordinate with the Chief 
Legal & Administration Officer. The SLT and ESG 
Workgroup review and approve all policies and 
approaches developed by subject matter experts 
and track metrics relative to ESG goals over time 
to the fullest extent possible.
Our position as a leading biorefining company 
focused on transforming annually renewable 
crops into sustainable, value-added ingredients 
dictates our responsibility to ESG issues at all 
levels. By including representatives from all key 
areas and levels of the company, the ESG 
Workgroup ensures a coordinated, company-wide 
approach. The importance of ESG performance is 
well integrated across operations, legal, trade, 
finance, accounting, product sales, technology, 
EHSS, investor relations and human resources. 
The ESG Workgroup facilitates outreach between 
certain stakeholders and the Board, using various 
means to consult with stakeholders and 
subsequently reporting back through the CLAO to 
the Nominating and Governance Committee.
Members of the ESG Workgroup meet with the 
SLT quarterly to report on our environmental 
performance and status of initiatives and to 
discuss ESG-related strategy. The ESG 
Workgroup, through the ESG Program Manager
and SVP, Sustainability, reports directly to the 
CLAO, who meets quarterly with the Nominating 
and Governance Committee on all ESG matters, 
including climate-related risks and opportunities.
Our committee charters and corporate 
governance policies can be found on our website. 
We continuously monitor performance tracking 
related to ESG based on analysis from ESG rating 
agencies (including but not limited to 
Sustainalytics, MSCI™, ISS and S&P) as well as 
through stakeholder engagement processes, Q&A 
during quarterly earnings calls, annual shareholder 
meetings, feedback from our 24/7 ethics hotline 
and direct engagement with investors.
ABOUT
GREEN PLAINS
OUR COMMITMENT
TO SUSTAINABILITY
ENVIRONMENTAL
SOCIAL
GOVERNANCE
REPORTING
FRAMEWORKS
11
GREEN PLAINS INC.
2022 SUSTAINABILITY REPORT

Stakeholder Engagement and Key ESG Topics
We identify and assess our impacts based on a 
wide range of information, including active and 
ongoing stakeholder engagement, internal 
assessments, enterprise risk management 
systems, legal reviews, governmental agency and 
non-governmental organization reports, peer 
filings and industry reports. These actions help us 
prioritize disclosure, data collection, goal-setting 
and strategy development. Throughout this 
stakeholder-oriented, data-driven and forward-
looking approach to identify and assess our top 
environmental, social and governance impacts, we 
communicated directly with key internal and 
external stakeholders, leveraged ESG research 
and ratings, and vetted them against global 
frameworks and standards. Our ongoing 
stakeholder engagement process consists of a 
combination of formal materiality assessments, 
press releases, town halls, social media, 24/7 
ethics hotline, earnings calls and direct outreach, 
among other tactics. Our key stakeholder groups 
and methods of engagement are outlined in this 
graphic. On page 21, we highlight the key ESG 
topics that are the most important to our business 
success and key stakeholder groups. This enables 
us to prioritize crucial ESG areas based on their 
relevance to stakeholders and impact on business.
ABOUT
GREEN PLAINS
OUR COMMITMENT
TO SUSTAINABILITY
ENVIRONMENTAL
SOCIAL
GOVERNANCE
REPORTING
FRAMEWORKS
12
GREEN PLAINS INC.
2022 SUSTAINABILITY REPORT
Stakeholder Engagement
EMPLOYEES
• Town halls
• Company announcements
• Social media
• 24/7 ethics hotline
• Charitable events
• Weekly newsletter 
• Company intranet
• Press releases
CUSTOMERS, 
VENDORS, 
SUPPLIERS AND 
BUSINESS PARTNERS
• Press releases
• Social media
• 24/7 ethics hotline
• Customer appreciation days
LOCAL 
COMMUNITIES
• Press releases
• Company announcements
• Social media
• 24/7 ethics hotline
• Charitable events
• Direct outreach initiatives, 
partnerships and site tours
LENDERS
• Press releases
• Social media 
• Publicly accessible quarterly 
earnings conference calls
• Loan compliance and 
reporting
SHAREHOLDERS
• Annual shareholder 
meetings 
• Press releases
• Social media
• Publicly accessible quarterly 
earnings conference calls
• Direct outreach
• National investor events
GOVERNMENT 
AGENCIES
• Earnings releases
• Financial filings
• Regulatory reporting

Value Chain Transformation
ABOUT
GREEN PLAINS
OUR COMMITMENT
TO SUSTAINABILITY
ENVIRONMENTAL
SOCIAL
GOVERNANCE
REPORTING
FRAMEWORKS
13
GREEN PLAINS INC.
2022 SUSTAINABILITY REPORT
UNDER OUR 
GREEN PLAINS 2.0 
TRANSFORMATION, 
WE ARE: 
Executing across 
four strategic areas 
of growth — value-
added protein 
ingredients, 
renewable corn oil, 
clean sugar and 
carbon capture — to 
achieve our long–
term goals and lead 
the way to a low-
carbon future.

A Culture of Innovation
2022 was a year of innovation and technological milestones for Green Plains’ ongoing transformation. Notably, we opened our 
Innovation Center at Omaha, the third such center across our platform.
The Innovation Center at Omaha features a 
commercial-scale aquaculture feed mill, state-of-
the-art laboratory space for aquaculture and Fluid 
Quip Technologies (FQT), and further lab space 
for potential future university partnerships. The 
facility also serves as a showroom for our 
company’s transformation and technologies.
Alongside our existing Innovation Center at York, 
Nebraska and our Optimal Aqualab in 
Shenandoah, Iowa, the Innovation Center at 
Omaha rounds out our full suite of research, 
development and production capabilities.
The Innovation Center at York features a pilot 
fermentation train as well as a world-class 
analytical lab, allowing for rapid testing of process 
yields. Additionally, the Innovation Center has 
downstream separation equipment used for on-
site pilot development of FQT’s Clean Sugar 
Technology™ (CST™) and testing of process 
enhancements to the patented Maximized Stillage 
Co-Products™ (MSC™) protein recovery system.
At the Aqualab in Shenandoah, our Optimal team 
conducts feed trials on multiple species of fish, 
continuously improving the nutrient-rich, species-
specific formulations for the Optimal Fish Food 
and Optimal Aquafeed product lines.
ABOUT
GREEN PLAINS
OUR COMMITMENT
TO SUSTAINABILITY
ENVIRONMENTAL
SOCIAL
GOVERNANCE
REPORTING
FRAMEWORKS
14
GREEN PLAINS INC.
2022 SUSTAINABILITY REPORT
Being a leader in agricultural technology means investing in research and a devotion to identifying and scaling up the best available processes. These three 
innovation centers serve that crucial purpose for Green Plains.

2022 Technology Highlights: 
Breakthroughs in Sugar, 
Protein and Feedstock
Ag-tech innovation is the catalyst of 
transformation at Green Plains, and it 
played a significant role in expanding our 
lower-carbon ingredient portfolio in 2022. 
We are leveraging patented technologies 
developed by our majority-owned subsidiary FQT 
to unlock more value from each kernel of corn 
while simultaneously lowering the carbon 
intensity (CI) of our ingredients across our 
operations. 
In this section, we highlight key technological 
innovations implemented last year that have 
significantly expanded our ability to offer new, 
lower-carbon alternatives for our customer 
partners in rapidly expanding markets.
A New, Clean Sugar With 
Wide Applications
Developed by FQT, CST™ can be used in 
dry-milling facilities such as those operated by 
Green Plains to produce dextrose and glucose 
rather than ethanol as their primary products. It is 
at the core of the build-out of our biocampus 
model, which will contribute to and support the 
emerging biorevolution. 
We are leveraging CST™ to add the production of 
low-carbon dextrose and glucose—the benefits of 
which are significant—to our biotechnology 
portfolio. As when producing ethanol, the process 
of making clean sugar also creates high-value 
co-products such as renewable corn oil and 
high-protein feed ingredients. Further, CST™ 
provides industrial quantities of carbohydrate 
feedstock that can be used in manufacturing 
applications in the growing biochemical, 
renewable chemical and synthetic biology 
industries. CST™ dextrose also has a lower CI 
score than dextrose produced with traditional 
wet-milling processes.
Scaling Clean Sugar
In 2022, we achieved food-grade certification, 
FSSC 22000, at our pilot CST™ production facility 
at our Innovation Center in York, Nebraska. 
Stringent quality management and a continuous 
improvement approach resulted in certification of 
our glucose and dextrose syrups at this facility, 
where production is ongoing. 
Following this external validation, in the third 
quarter 2022, we broke ground on a first-of-its-
kind, full-scale CST™ production facility co-
located with our Shenandoah, Iowa, bio-campus. 
Initial outputs are estimated at 200 million 
pounds of dextrose/glucose annually, with the 
ability to scale up to 500 million pounds upon 
further investment. This new CST™ facility will 
utilize a portion of the current biorefinery corn 
grind as a feedstock to produce its sugar. It will 
also return all remaining components of the corn 
— proteins, fibers, oils, unused starches and 
sugars — to the biorefinery. 
Scheduled to become operational by the first 
quarter of 2024, the Shenandoah CST™ facility is 
expected to produce 95% dextrose-equivalent 
(DE) and mid-DE products for shipment via rail 
and truck or eventually directly to over-the-fence 
partners.
ABOUT
GREEN PLAINS
OUR COMMITMENT
TO SUSTAINABILITY
ENVIRONMENTAL
SOCIAL
GOVERNANCE
REPORTING
FRAMEWORKS
15
GREEN PLAINS INC.
2022 SUSTAINABILITY REPORT
2022 Breakthroughs
• Achieving food-grade certification at pilot 
CST™ facility
• Breaking ground on first-of-its-kind, 
commercial-scale CST™ facility
• Entering discussions with potential co-
location partners and customers
feedstock
Any renewable, biological material 
that can be used directly as a fuel or 
converted to another form or fuel or 
energy product.4
4
Recent Advances in Thermochemical 
Conversion of Biomass, 2015

From Biorefineries to Biocampuses:
Leading a Biorevolution
Renewable feedstock from the most abundant renewable carbon source available
OUR PRODUCTS CONTRIBUTE TO THE 
CIRCULAR ECONOMY:
Produced cleanly, without
harsh chemicals
Lower CI
than alternatives
Renewable
source of carbon
Providing Lower-Carbon 
Alternatives
Production of our new 95-DE and mid-DE 
products will expand opportunities for Green 
Plains and our customer partners across the food 
and beverage, synthetic biology and biochemical 
industries.
Due to their lower CI compared with competitors' 
offerings, CST™-produced ingredients can help 
companies reduce their carbon footprints and 
gain a competitive edge in today’s sustainability-
focused markets.
CST™-produced carbohydrate (renewable carbon) 
feedstocks can deliver considerably lower CI 
scores than conventional fossil-derived 
feedstocks, such as crude oil and coal. 
Additionally, Green Plains' dry milling process 
produces bio-based glucose and dextrose at a 
dramatically lower CI than other available 
technologies, such as wet milling.
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A recent internal report shows this CI reduction 
compared to a wet mill to be anywhere from 20% 
to 48%, due to the unique advantages of FQT’s 
patented technology, which allows a dry mill to 
skip an energy-intensive portion of the sugar 
production process found on the front end of a 
wet mill. There are several reasons for this. First, 
CST™ is fundamentally focused on the production 
of sugars (glucose and dextrose), whereas wet 
mill technology focuses on the starch. Second, it 
is inherently simpler to separate the sugars from 
the other coproducts such as fiber, protein and 
renewable corn oil. Third, this innovative 
approach leads to more efficient processes and 
less equipment and energy use. Taken together, 
the use of CST™ equates to lower electrical, 
chemical and water usage per unit of production. 
Additionally, because CST™ uses some of the 
same processes as a dry mill ethanol facility, we 
can see further benefits in the production of low-
CI sugar and low-CI ethanol.
CARBON INTENSITY
(KG CO2 E/MT DRY SUGAR)
641
1,050
Source: Recent internal report
SUPPLYING A BURGEONING MARKET
In North America, demand for bio-based glucose 
and dextrose derived from corn, one of the most 
abundant renewable carbon sources available, is 
high and expected to continue growing. Meeting 
this expanding demand will require new sources 
of glucose and dextrose, and Green Plains’ 
investment in CST™ strategically positions us to 
supply these markets.
The bio-based glucose and dextrose industry, 
including bioplastics, biochemicals, renewable 
chemicals and synthetic biology, is diverse and 
evolving quickly. According to the Biotechnology 
Innovation Organization, the global economic 
value of the biotechnology industry is estimated 
at $355 billion.5
Going forward, it is expected that large amounts 
of fermentable sugars will be required for next-
generation biopolymer, biochemical, biofuel and 
food products.6 Even if the world were to recycle 
100% of its products, there would still be a need 
for virgin materials to keep pace with overall 
economic growth.7 In addition, consumer 
preferences are increasing demand for 
responsibly produced ingredients and products.
Consumers expect products to be derived from 
renewable sources and manufactured in a safe 
and non-invasive manner. By incorporating and 
driving the use of CST™ in our operations, Green 
Plains is well suited to help meet this demand; our 
process extracts sugar from corn using simple 
enzymes and mechanical separation, avoiding 
harsh chemicals traditionally used at wet mills.
5
Biotechnology Innovation Organization. Renewable chemical 
platforms building the biobased economy. Ind. 
Biotechnol.14:109, 2018 
6
Singh V, Stone J, Roberts JP, et al. Industrial biotechnology 
shaping corn biorefineries of the future. Cereal Foods World 
2019;64(4) 
7
Expert View: Five ways biotech supports the transition to a 
more circular economy. Bio Market Insights Feb 14, 2019 by 
Christophe Schilling, CEO, Genomatica
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Dry Mill Clean Sugar
Wet Mill Sugar
Replacing widely used, non-renewable 
petroleum-based feedstocks with 
renewable carbon feedstocks, such as bio-
based glucose and dextrose derived from 
corn, can deliver far-reaching sustainability 
benefits.

BETTER PROTEINS, MORE
RENEWABLE CORN OIL, EVEN LESS CARBON
Green Plains is leveraging another of FQT’s 
patented tools, MSC™ technology, to achieve 
breakthroughs in higher-protein feed ingredients 
and valuable low-CI feedstock for the production 
of advanced biofuels such as renewable diesel 
and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).
In using the MSC™ system, we can achieve 50% or 
greater protein concentration, which combined 
with the high yeast component, is a valuable 
ingredient for pet, aquaculture, poultry, swine and 
dairy rations. This technology is crucial in our 
work to produce sustainable higher-protein feed 
ingredients, optimal starch utilization and more — 
all without expanding crop acreage. Additionally, 
the MSC™ system can increase the volume of 
renewable corn oil we are able to extract from the 
process by 50%. Renewable corn oil serves as a 
valuable feedstock for the production of 
advanced biofuels like renewable diesel and SAF.
In 2022, Green Plains completed the construction 
of three additional MSC™ installations: Central 
City, Nebraska; Mount Vernon, Indiana; and Obion, 
Tennessee. These join our Shenandoah, Iowa, and
Wood River, Nebraska, biorefineries already 
producing Ultra-High Protein. These five facilities 
account for more than half of our total 2023 
production capacity.
We also completed a Cradle-to-Gate Life Cycle 
Assessment of our Ultra-High Protein product, 
following the EU’s Product Environmental 
Footprint (PEF) methodology.8
The results of the assessment include a CI from 
the Climate Change impact category of PEF in 
kilograms of CO2e per metric ton of Ultra-High 
Protein and utilize an economic allocation to 
easily compare our results to other common feed 
ingredients included in the Global Feed Life-Cycle 
Institute (GFLI) database.
According to the PEF analysis, the CI of our Ultra-
High Protein is 1,340 kg CO2e/ton UHP, which 
compares very favorably to many common 
alternative feed ingredients on the market today. 
Our protein products also have many functional 
characteristics that several alternatives, such as 
pea protein, lack, in addition to having a smaller 
carbon footprint.
GFLI DATABASE SAMPLE (CRADLE-TO-GATE, ECONOMIC ALLOCATION IN USD)
LIFE CYCLE IMPACT ASSESSMENT
Product Name
Climate Change (Kg CO2 e/Ton Product)
Corn DDGS at U.S. ethanol plant
655
Fishmeal at Norwegian fishmeal and oil production plant
1,041
Corn gluten meal at global wet mill plant
1,125
Ultra-High Protein at U.S. ethanol plant
1,340
Pea protein-concentrate, at German plant
2,559
Soybean meal at Brazilian crushing plant
4,257
Soybean protein concentrate at Brazilian crushing plant
7,271
8
The LCA study is not a formal PEF assessment due to the absence of a suitable PEF Category Rule (CR) for our product.
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2022 Breakthroughs
• Used MSC™ systems to create higher-protein 
animal feed, including aquaculture 
applications
• Extracted 50% more renewable corn oil with 
operational MSC™ systems — an important 
low-CI feedstock for advanced biofuels such 
as renewable diesel and SAF
• Added three new MSC™ installations, for a 
total of five, with annual capacity of 330,000 
tons
• Achieved over 50% of total production 
capacity powered by MSC™ in 2023

A CLEANER, HIGHER-QUALITY 
PROTEIN
Green Plains’ protein products are plant-based, 
with key components of both corn and yeast. 
While other plant-based proteins rely on harsh 
chemicals and solvents to extract their product, 
Green Plains uses clean mechanical separation of 
fiber, fat and protein to produce consistent and 
nutritious Ultra-High Protein products. Corn has 
traditionally been considered an energy crop due 
to its starch content. However, by employing 
fermentation in conjunction with MSC™ 
technology, we are transforming corn into a 
versatile dual-purpose energy and protein 
resource. 
A BETTER NUTRITIONAL PROFILE
Our MSC™ systems have achieved a baseline 50% 
crude protein with an optimum balance of inputs 
and yields. We have conducted further trials to 
achieve higher protein concentrations, with a 
proven path to commercial-scale concentrations 
above 60%.
Additionally, through exclusive technology 
partnerships, we are leveraging a suite of 
biotechnology enhancements to achieve further 
improvements to the nutrition profile of our Ultra-
High Protein. These improvements aim to provide 
feed formulators with the option to partially 
replace an even wider range of animal and plant-
based proteins in an effort to increase their feed 
quality and reduce overall costs.
However, this is not just a protein quantity story. 
It's also about greater digestibility and 
nutritional value.
A key parameter for nutritional evaluation is 
digestibility, also known as the amount of 
nutrients absorbed by the animal being fed. FQT’s 
and Green Plains’ nutrition researchers have 
evaluated our protein products’ digestibility in 
several animal groups, including swine, poultry 
and fish. These studies have demonstrated that 
our amino acid digestibility is high (>87%) and 
consistent.9 
Furthermore, Green Plains’ Innovation Center at 
York lab team demonstrated our products' high 
quantity of small peptides, which support its 
consistently high digestibility values. MSC™ 
technology’s unique separation and final drying 
process ensures that there is minimal protein 
quality degradation when the product is dried. 
The protein ingredient industry has been facing 
the perennial challenge of properly drying its 
product without causing heat damage and loss of 
digestibility. The gentle, non-contact drying used 
in the MSC™ system across the Green Plains 
production platform ensures consistent protein 
integrity.
Another important nutrition consideration is the 
amino acid distribution of a protein. Nutritionists 
typically evaluate the levels of amino acids in 
proteins, such as lysine, methionine, valine and 
tryptophan, among others. Various research 
studies led by FQT, Green Plains and independent 
research institutes have confirmed the significant 
presence of these desirable amino acids in our 
products as well as our products' excellent 
digestibility coefficients.
Finally, as nutritionists balance the needs of 
animals, they must consider the energy that feeds 
provide. A recent study concluded that the 
energy value of Green Plains' protein products is 
significantly higher than that of other common 
plant-based proteins.10
A YEAST GENERATOR
The MSC™ process recovers much of the spent 
yeast, a valuable ingredient in animal nutrition 
that is generated in the fermentation process.
The ethanol industry is a net producer of spent 
yeast, through the production of distillers grains 
and Ultra-High Protein, which is used to make 
animal feed. While the amount of yeast added to 
fermentation is measured and known, there is also 
an approximate 40-fold generation of yeast 
during the fermentation process. This yeast co-
product of our Ultra-High Protein production 
helps reduce the carbon footprint of our feed  
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9
Source: Study conducted by Dr. Carl Parsons, University of Illinois
10 Nutritional value of ethanol coproduct evaluated for poultry, Bill Dudley-Cash, Feedstuffs Vol. 89, No. 11, November 6, 2017.

operations, needing no additional arable land for its 
generation and by extension promoting biodiversity. 
The yeast component self-propagates in a closed-
loop fermentation system within the relatively small 
footprint of a modern-day biorefinery. 
Approximately 24% of the dry matter of our high-
protein product is spent brewer’s yeast.
Further, yeast has been studied extensively in 
animal nutrition and is known to be a high-
quality protein source with further immuno-
stimulatory properties. 
Studies have shown that the use of yeast in animal 
diets results in high growth, feed intake and feed 
efficiency rates, with positive effects on robustness 
and health in fish.11,12 Similarly, yeast cell wall 
components and intracellular contents have been 
shown to have a valuable influence on health and 
immune competence. A recent study found that 
yeast as a protein source has a favorable amino acid 
profile, preferable taste and positive health effects.13 
Experiments with yeast in diets for salmon 
concluded that yeast supports high-growth 
performance and improves fish health.14 Another 
study on the effect of yeast on gut health in Atlantic 
salmon found that yeast reduced inflammation in 
the gut, strengthened the gut barrier function and 
increased protection against pathogens.15
A SUPERIOR SCALABLE SOLUTION
The global feed industry relies on consistent sources 
of ingredients to manufacture approximately 
1.36 billion tons of compound feed.16 
A novel protein must be available year-round 
depending on the animal species, demonstrate 
consistency in its nutritional parameters and come 
in sufficient volumes to support the complex, large-
scale logistics and production infrastructure of the 
feed industry. Volume, regulatory compliance and 
resilience in the supply chain are hurdles that other 
novel protein technologies, such as insect protein 
and single-cell proteins, are having 
difficulty clearing. 
Using MSC™ technology, we are developing and 
commercializing a new protein alternative that can 
meet these criteria while also contributing to the 
circular economy — a major breakthrough in the 
global feed sector. We have a unique opportunity to 
produce a 50%+ plant-based protein at scale using 
our dry milling ethanol processes.
A CIRCULAR ECONOMY STANDOUT
MSC™ is making it possible for Green Plains to 
create high-quality animal feed ingredients from 
material that human beings would not consume 
rather than from additional valuable land or 
marine resources.
Because they are coproducts of existing biofuel 
operations, Green Plains' Ultra-High Protein 
products exemplify the dynamics of a circular 
economy, in which the reuse and regeneration of 
materials or products eases impacts on limited 
natural resources. These high-value alternative 
protein products have considerable environmental 
benefits. A recent study revealed that the 
replacement of 10% of a common vegetable protein 
with MSC™ proteins is associated with a 19% and 
14% reduction in CO2 emissions associated with 
poultry and salmon production, respectively.17 Feed 
accounts for the largest overall environmental 
impact of Atlantic salmon farming in all measured 
categories except eutrophication.18
POTENTIAL FOR AQUACULTURE 
MARKETS
Aquaculture is one of the fastest-growing industries 
in the world. 
Green Plains has a unique opportunity to become a 
key supplier of high-quality, plant-based aquafeed 
for land-based recirculating aquaculture systems 
(RASs), which normally feed fish to fish.
Our Ultra-High Protein product is currently being 
tested in our aquafeed formulations and could 
potentially reduce demand for fishmeal in fish feed 
formulations, which in turn would help reduce the 
overfishing of the oceans.
We believe the inclusion of our Ultra-High Protein 
product in aquafeed formulations could positively 
impact the fish in/fish out (FIFO) ratio of aquafeed, 
where FIFO is a measure of kilograms of whole wild 
fish for fishmeal production per every 1 kilogram of 
farmed fish production.
11
Overland & Skrede 2016, Yeast derived from lignocellulosic 
biomass as a sustainable feed resource for use in aquaculture, J. 
Sci. of Food & Agriculture
12 Hauptman, B.S. et al. 2014; Aquaculture 432:7-14
13 Overland & Skrede 2017, Review, J. Sci. of Foods & Agriculture
14 Overland et al., 2013, Aquaculture, Sahlmann & Djordjevic et al., 
2019; Aquaculture, Hansen et al., 2019, Aquaculture, Reveco & 
Hofosaeter et al., PlosOne In press
15 Grammes et al., 2013 Plos One; Reveco & Hofosaeter et al., Plos 
One In press; Hansen et al., 2019, Aquaculture; Sahlmann, 
Djordevic et al., 2019 Aquaculture
16 Alltech Agri-Food Outlook 2022
17 Burton et al., 2021, Use of an Ethanol Bio-Refinery Product as a 
Soy Bean Alternative in Diets for Fast-Growing Meat Production 
Species: A Circular Economy Approach, MDPI
18 Sherry, J. and J Koester Life cycle assessment of aquaculture 
council certified Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar). Sustainability 
12:6079
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2022 SUSTAINABILITY REPORT
Environmental
• Climate Change & 
GHG Emissions
• Energy Use and Efficiency
• Water Management
• Biodiversity and Land 
Stewardship
• Waste, Circularity and 
Environmental Compliance
Social
• Employee Health and 
Safety
• Talent Acquisition, 
Engagement and DE&I
• Customers, Suppliers and 
Communities
ESG Highlights
Each year, our ESG reporting focuses on areas of greatest importance to 
both our business success and our key stakeholders.  
Goal-setting, measurement, disclosure and continual progress are integral to our 
ESG efforts. In the tables that follow, we share an overview of the goals we set for 
2022 for each of our Key ESG Topics, the progress made toward those targets in 
2022 and some related goals that we have set for 2023 and beyond.
Governance
• Board Composition 
and Structure
• Ethics and Compliance

Environmental
KEY
ESG TOPICS
GOAL
Where We Are
(Progress in 2022)
Where We Are Going
(2023 and Beyond)
Climate Change & 
GHG Emissions
•
Short-term target to reduce 
our operational GHG 
emissions intensity 16.5% by 
2026 compared to a 2020 
baseline
•
Medium-term target 
validated by SBTi to reduce 
Scopes 1 and 2 emissions 
37.8% and Scope 3 emissions 
22.5% by 2030 compared to 
a 2021 baseline
•
Long-term carbon neutrality 
goal of 100% reduction in 
operational GHG emissions 
from 2018 baseline by 2050
•
Reduce other air permit 
deviations 60% by 2025 
compared to 2020 baseline
1.87%
reduction in operational GHG emissions intensity in 2022 
over our 2020 baseline, keeping us ON TRACK to achieve our 
2026 target
12% increase in Scopes 1 and 2 and 22% increase in 
Scope 3 GHG emissions since 2021, which NEEDS IMPROVEMENT 
to achieve our 2030 SBTi targets
•
Currently developing carbon reduction strategy 
following the carbon management hierarchy 
model: Avoid, Reduce, Replace
•
Began engineering and construction on several 
projects with expected emissions reduction, with 
plans to expand to additional biorefineries
26%*
reduction in operational GHG emissions (thousand metric tons of 
CO2e) in 2022 from 2018 baseline, keeping us ON TRACK to 
achieve our 2050 target
89%
reduction in air permit deviations in 2022 from 2020 baseline, 
ACHIEVING our 2025 target
Energy Use and 
Efficiency
•
Clean energy: Contribute to 
the production of low-CI 
renewable diesel via a 50% 
increase in average 
renewable corn oil yield by 
2025 over 2020 baseline
•
Goal to reduce natural gas 
intensity (MMBtu/Raw 
Material MT) 2% per year 
through 2026
Realized average renewable corn oil yield of 0.93 pounds/bushel 
in 2022, a 20% increase over 2020, keeping us ON TRACK 
to achieve our 2025 target
•
Planned evaporation system upgrades at our 
Central City, NE and Shenandoah, IA biorefineries, 
expected to reduce natural gas fuel consumption 
by approximately 10% at each
•
Began engineering work on our first on-site 
electricity production project, a steam let-down 
turbine at our Shenandoah biorefinery
1.86%
reduction in natural gas intensity (MMBtu/Raw Material MT) in 
2022 vs. 2021 baseline, FALLING SHORT of our 2026 target
Completed evaporation system upgrades at our Obion, TN 
biorefinery, expected to reduce natural gas fuel consumption by 
approximately 10% at that biorefinery
* 
Reductions a result of energy efficiency projects and asset divestments
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KEY
ESG TOPICS
GOAL
Where We Are
(Progress in 2022)
Where We Are Going
(2023 and Beyond)
Water 
Management
•
 NEW  GOAL: Reduce water 
intensity 10% by 2025 over 
2021 baseline
3.01%
reduction in water intensity (Thousand Cubic Meters/Raw 
Material MT) in 2022 vs. 2021 baseline, keeping us ON TRACK to 
achieve our target
Successfully installed a controlled backwash system at our Otter 
Tail biorefinery that returns water previously being discharged  
back into the process, increasing water efficiency
•
Implementing efficiency and process 
improvements to reduce water use, such as 
eliminating water additions to yeast props
•
Incorporating improvement ideas to reduce 
water usage (land application, wastewater 
pond projects and PEMS/CEMS system installs 
on scrubbers) into strategic plan
Biodiversity and 
Land Stewardship
•
 NEW  GOAL: 100% 
sustainably sourced primary 
feedstock by 2030*
We source 100% of feedstock from farmers, grain elevators 
and cooperatives in the U.S., with over 90% originating 
from local farmland surrounding our biorefineries 
Finalized a multiyear farm carbon strategy/grain origination road 
map by the end of 2022
Defined "sustainably sourced" feedstock in the context of our 
farm carbon strategy
•
Beginning our phased approach to achieving 
our sustainable sourcing goal
Waste, 
Circularity and 
Environmental 
Compliance
•
Goal to enhance our 
corporate recycling program 
at our Omaha, NE 
headquarters in 2022
•
 NEW  GOAL: Zero waste to 
landfill by 2030
Finalized our corporate recycling program plan with planned 
initiation of phase I in 2023
Completed tracking and consolidation of non-hazardous waste 
data at all of our biorefineries for 2022
•
Developing active waste management plan in 
support of our zero waste goal
* 
Green Plains considers feedstock to be sustainably sourced when one or more of the following sustainable farming practices was implemented for the production of the feedstock, including but not limited to split application of 
nitrogen fertilizer, 4R nitrogen management (right time, right place, right form and right rate), use of cover crops, conservation tillage practices (low till/no till), use of manure as fertilizer, etc.
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2022 SUSTAINABILITY REPORT

Social
KEY
ESG TOPICS
GOAL
Where We Are
(Progress in 2022)
Where We Are Going
(2023 and Beyond)
Employee Health 
and Safety
•
Reduce OSHA TRIR by 35% 
by 2025 compared to 
2020 baseline
•
Implement Cardinal Rules of 
Environment, Health, Safety 
and Security (EHSS)
46%
decrease in OSHA TRIR in 2022 vs. 2020, ACHIEVING our 
2025 target
Safety metric included in executive compensation plan since 
2012 and Cardinal Rules implemented in 2020
Occupational Health & Safety Policy published in 
September 2021
•
6S implementation across our platform, STOP 
Work Program, formalized shift change 
communication worksheets, standardize PPE 
and JSA card locations
•
Integrate all EHSS training with new LMS launch 
and reimagine safety training for 2023 to be 
more interactive and inclusive
Talent Acquisition, 
Engagement
and DE&I
•
Enhance the data quality and 
reliability of our candidate 
pool diversity metrics, to 
allow us to better measure 
and refine our recruiting 
action plans
In 2022, we enhanced our employee referral program and 
structured our new employee orientation and associated 
trainings
•
In 2023, the new careers page on our website is 
going live, structured interviewing and 
selection training and implementation is set to 
occur, and traineeship programs are being 
established at select colleges and universities
•
Enhance goals and plans on talent 
management, leadership training, and diversity, 
equity and inclusion
•
Develop diverse recruiting pools and outreach 
throughout our communities and student group 
organizations. Examples are Society of Women 
Engineers, Rise Up Program and others
Our 2022 internship program contributed to our talent needs as 
four interns in the program joined us as full-time employees
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2022 SUSTAINABILITY REPORT

KEY
ESG TOPICS
GOAL
Where We Are
(Progress in 2022)
Where We Are Going
(2023 and Beyond)
Customers, 
Suppliers and 
Communities
•
Increase donations and 
sponsorships by 10%-20% 
from 2021 to 2022
•
Invest in 10 employee-led 
new priorities for donations 
in 2022 (in addition to 
existing priorities)
•
Dedicate 2,000 hours of 
volunteering company-wide 
in 2022
•
Implement Quality 
Management System (QMS) 
and corresponding quality 
procedures at all facilities 
equipped with MSC™ 
technology coming online 
in 2023
•
No findings on FDA audit for 
FSMA program in 2023
•
Quality Deviation Report 
(QDR) training for all 
employees working at MSC™-
equipped facilities coming 
online in 2023
•
Establishment of KPI to track 
% of shipped products 
meeting specification
•
Maintain 50% bulk (rail and 
barge) shipping goal (in 
2023) instead of truck to 
positively impact our CI 
scores and Scope 3 
emissions
Donated $274,338 in 2022, ACHIEVING our 
2022 target
Our people volunteered 4,004 hours in 2022, ACHIEVING our 
stated target of 2,000 hours
ACHIEVED implementation of QMS at MSC™ facilities, no 
negative findings on U.S. FDA FSMA compliance audits and QDR 
training complete for all operational MSC facilities in 2022. 
Maintaining as ongoing goal for facilities coming online in 2023
Infused over $1.6 billion into local communities near 
our biorefineries via grain purchases in 2022, including over 
$822 million in direct purchases from area farmers
74%
of biorefinery volume shipped by bulk transport (rail or barge) in 
2022, ACHIEVING goal of 50%
Met with all of our top outside carriers to discuss and 
collaborate on sustainability goals, alignments and 
backhaul program
•
Continue to engage with employee 
stakeholders to uncover new priorities for 
donations in 2023 and implement system for 
tracking and incentivizing employee volunteer 
hours
•
Continue to implement Product Quality and 
Food Safety Manual and implement QDR 
training across all new MSC™ facilities in 2023
•
Continue internal audit program in 2023 to 
maintain no negative findings on future FDA 
audits and build the database to pull all testing 
(feed tags, COA, etc.) for product 
specifications to establish limits and identify 
out-of-specification products, keeping us on 
track to accomplish our goal of creating a key 
performance indicator (KPI) for tracking 
percentage of products meeting specification
•
Execute backhaul program with third-party 
carriers in 2023 to decrease deadheading 
(hauling from terminals to our biorefineries 
with an empty trailer) to reduce Scope 3 
emissions
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2022 SUSTAINABILITY REPORT

Governance
KEY
ESG TOPICS
GOAL
Where We Are
(Progress in 2022)
Where We Are Going
(2023 and Beyond)
Board
Composition and 
Structure
•
Goal to reduce Board size to 
eight members by 2023 
Annual Meeting
Proposal to declassify Board voted on at our 2022 Annual 
Meeting of Shareholders and passed, resulting in start of 
multiyear declassification process
ACHIEVED reduction to eight members with retirement of 
Board Chairman Wayne Hoovestol
•
At each Annual Meeting of Shareholders from 
2023 to 2025, director elections will be for one-
year terms, thus resulting in a completely 
declassified Board by 2025
Ethics and 
Compliance
•
By 2022, 100% of Green 
Plains employees will be 
trained on Code of Ethics, 
Anti-Corruption and Human 
and Labor Rights policies
100% of Green Plains employees received Ethics and Anti-
Corruption Training and Human and Labor Rights Training 
through the Company's newly launched Learning Management 
System (LMS), with required completion dates of December 30, 
2022, ACHIEVING our target.
Enhanced Vendor Screening program in 2022, screening an 
additional 2,666 foreign and domestic suppliers against 
880 different watches, sanctions and most-wanted lists, 
including key human rights list
•
Incorporate training for all employees on Code 
of Ethics, Anti-Corruption and Human and Labor 
Rights into company-wide launch of the new LMS 
in 2022, keeping us on track to accomplish our 
2022 goal of 100% of employees trained
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page
28
Climate Change
and GHG Emissions
page
39
Energy Use and
Efficiency
page
42
Water Management
page
45
Natural Capital 
and Land 
Stewardship
page
49
Waste, 
Circularity and 
Environmental  
Compliance
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Environmental
Creating the biorefinery platform of the 
future is synonymous with expanding 
environmental stewardship.
OUR KEY TOPICS

As an ag-tech innovator and a producer of 
low-͏carbon fuels and ingredients, we are 
well ͏positioned to serve as part of the solution to 
climate change. At the same time, we continually 
analyze and manage the potential risks that 
climate change poses to our business 
and communities. 
In 2022, we continued to reduce the carbon 
footprint of our own operations, strengthened our 
climate risk analysis and management, and began 
an unprecedented collaboration to develop SAF.
Operational Emissions 
Our products are created from annually 
renewable crops, primarily corn, with a 
low-͏carbon footprint. However, our biorefineries 
emit biogenic CO2 through the process of 
fermentation, and additional CO2 from the 
combustion of natural gas to run our boilers 
and dryers.
The majority of our operating emissions are 
released by the ethanol fermentation process and 
are classified as biogenic emissions. Most of the 
remaining emissions are from natural gas 
combustion (Scope 1) for steam generation and 
drying of distillers grains as well as indirect 
(Scope 2) emissions associated with electricity 
consumption. A very small amount of GHG 
emissions from gasoline, diesel and liquified 
petroleum gas (LPG) fuel combustion occurs 
on-͏site related to our mobile equipment and 
generators, and are included in our 
Scope 1 emissions. 
We’ve set ambitious GHG reduction goals, with a 
path to carbon-neutral operations by 2050. As 
shown in the following tables, we are monitoring 
our progress with KPIs related to short-, medium- 
and long-term targets. We are excited to share 
that we have received validation of our near-term 
2030 targets from the Science Based Targets 
initiative (SBTi), with the Scope 1 and 2 target 
ambition in alignment with a 1.5°C trajectory. This 
achievement demonstrates our commitment to 
credibility and accountability related to our 
impact on climate change.
Short-Term Target: Performance Tied to Our 
Sustainability-Linked Credit Facility
2026 GOAL:
16.5% reduction in operational GHG emissions 
intensity (vs. 2020)
MT CO2e/Raw Material MT
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2022 PROGRESS: 
Reduced operational GHG emissions 
intensity by 1.87% (vs. 2020)
Green Plains is driving innovation 
to further protect and benefit 
the environment.
In this section of our report, we present 
actions taken and milestones achieved 
in 2022 across our key environmental 
topics. Notable achievements include 
leveraging innovative technologies and 
partnerships to further decarbonize our 
proteins, oils, and sugars, with 
substantial implications for emission 
reductions. We also met or exceeded 
targets in energy efficiency, water 
management and sustainable sourcing 
last year. 
Our targeted investments in carbon 
reduction are also creating their own 
next-level opportunities for 
environmental wins. Green Plains is 
partnering to develop a sustainable 
form of aviation fuel that, if brought to 
scale, would be a game-changer for 
global emissions. And we expect that 
our lowered CI levels will make us 
eligible for clean-energy incentives 
created and expanded with passage of 
the Inflation Reduction Act. 
Climate Change and GHG Emissions
Global climate change continues to be the focus of considerable attention, with widespread 
concern about the impacts of human activity, especially the emission of greenhouse gases 
such as carbon dioxide and methane, which are known to trap heat in the Earth's atmosphere. 
Performance
Target
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
2025
2026
0
0.2
0.4
0.6

Medium-Term Targets: Validated 
by the Science Based Targets 
initiative (SBTi)
2030 GOAL:
Green Plains Inc. commits to reduce absolute scope 1 and scope 2 GHG 
emissions 37.8% by 2030 from a 2021 base year* Green Plains Inc. also 
commits to reduce absolute scope 3 GHG emissions 22.5% within the same 
timeframe.*
Thousand Metric Tons CO2e
Scope 1 & 2 Performance
Scope 3 Performance
Scope 1 & 2 Target
Scope 3 Target
2021
2022
2023
2024
2025
2026
2027
2028
2029
2030
—
500
1,000
1,500
2,000
2,500
3,000
* The target boundary includes land-related emissions and removals from bioenergy feedstocks
Long-Term Target: Carbon-Neutral Operations
2050 GOAL:
100% reduction in operational GHG emissions (Scopes 1, 2 and biogenic) (vs. 
2018)**
**Not validated by the Science Based Targets initiative
PATH TO CARBON-NEUTRAL OPERATIONS 
BY 2050
(Scopes 1, 2 and Biogenic)
Thousand Metric Tons CO2e
Total operating
emissions (actual)
Total operating emissions 
(project based expectations)†
lll Total operating 
emissions (target)
2018
2022
2026
2030
2034
2038
2042
2046
2050
0
1,000
2,000
3,000
4,000
5,000
6,000
† 
2022-2032 Project Based Expectations estimates based on various carbon and energy efficiency 
related projects and initiatives
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2022 PROGRESS: 
Reduced operational GHG emissions by 26% since 2018
2022 PROGRESS: 
12% increase in Scopes 1 and 2 and 22% increase in Scope 3 GHG 
emissions since 2021

Green Plains recognizes that our business is 
not immune to potential physical or 
transitional impacts related to climate change. 
This global issue is likely to affect almost every 
aspect of our company, including potential 
impacts on the health and wellness of our 
employees, implications for how our facilities 
operate, sourcing of our raw materials and 
impacts on our customers’ use of our products. 
In 2022, we took a number of steps to further 
strengthen our climate risk strategy and 
management in the areas of governance, risk 
analysis and planning, and opportunity 
assessment and planning.
Enhanced ESG Governance
To decrease our exposure and build our resilience 
to climate change, we’ve enhanced our ESG 
governance, including a cross-functional ESG 
Workgroup comprising subject matter experts to 
systematically identify and assess our climate-
related risks and opportunities. The ESG 
Workgroup met regularly in 2022, and members 
participated in a tabletop exercise and group 
discussion to further enhance our existing 
identification and assessment of climate-related 
risks and opportunities. Participants in the 
exercise considered the potential size and scope 
of identified risks, whether the identified risks and 
opportunities fall under short-, medium- or long-
term time horizons, and whether the identified 
risks and opportunities could have a material 
financial impact on the organization. 
Consideration was also given to how the 
identified risks and opportunities could affect our 
business strategy and financial planning and how 
resilient our strategy is, considering different 
climate-related scenarios. We’ve set ambitious 
GHG reduction goals with a path to carbon-
neutral operations by 2050. 
We monitor our progress with KPIs that have 
short-, medium- and long-͏term goals. 
Information about our ESG governance is set out 
in “ESG and Climate Change Governance” on 
page 10 of this report.
Climate Change Strategy: 
Scenario Analysis
We enhanced our climate change strategy in 
2022 to include scenario analysis. Specifically, 
we chose two primary scenarios under which 
to consider our climate-related risks and 
opportunities: a 2° Celsius scenario and a 
Business-as-Usual scenario. 
The 2°C scenario we selected aligns with the 
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change 
(IPCC) Representative Concentration Pathway 
(RCP) 2.6.  
The Business-as-Usual scenario we selected 
aligns with the IPCC RCP 8.5. These IPCC 
scenarios are considered physical scenarios 
that describe the patterns of physical impacts 
attributable to climate change. We also 
considered how each scenario would align with 
the International Energy Agency (IEA) World 
Energy Outlook (WEO) transition scenarios 
meant to describe scenario pathways that 
deliver a given limit to warming. The 2°C 
scenario we selected aligns with the IEA WEO 
450ppm Scenario, and the Business-as-Usual 
scenario we selected aligns with the IEA WEO 
Current Policies Scenario.
Our chosen 2°C scenario assumes that aggressive 
mitigation efforts are made to combat climate 
change, global emissions are halved by 2050 and 
global average temperature rise is not likely to 
exceed 2°C above pre-industrial levels. Businesses 
are primarily impacted by transition risks under 
this scenario, and the physical impacts 
are constrained but not completely avoided. 
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Climate Risk and 
Opportunity Management

Many separate efforts to reduce CO2 emissions 
from the energy sector occur between now and 
2040, including stronger deployment of 
technologies that are currently available at 
commercial scale today, the building of significant 
additional nuclear capacity and rapid deployment 
of carbon capture and storage (CCS). Additional 
key drivers and signposts that would need to 
occur include strong efficiency-related policy 
action, increased renewable energy generation, 
implementation of carbon pricing mechanisms, 
rapid deployment of electric vehicles (EVs) 
charged with renewable electricity, and increased 
use of bioenergy where biofuels make up 17% of 
worldwide transportation fuel demand.
Our chosen Business-as-Usual scenario assumes 
that emissions continue rising at current rates 
and global average temperature rise likely 
exceeds 4°C above pre-industrial levels. 
Business is impacted most by physical risks as 
opposed to transition risks. More heat waves, 
changes in rainfall patterns and monsoon 
systems occur, Arctic summer sea ice almost 
disappears, and sea levels rise by one half to one 
meter. It is a future in which governments fail to 
follow through on policy proposals that have yet 
to be backed by legislation or other means of 
implementation and do not introduce any other 
policies that affect the energy sector. Additional 
key drivers and signposts that would occur 
include more unusually hot and fewer unusually 
cold days almost everywhere, increased ocean 
warming, dry areas becoming drier, wet areas 
becoming wetter and a decrease in glacier 
volumes. 
Identified Risks
We have identified inherent climate-related risks 
with the potential to substantively affect our 
financials or broader business strategy. As the 
world moves toward a lower-carbon future, 
Green Plains acknowledges the possible risks 
associated with climate change, and we 
continually incorporate this understanding into 
our overall business strategy and planning.
Green Plains considers two types of 
climate-͏related risks: physical and transitional. 
We regularly review and evaluate topics that 
have the potential to present physical risks 
under a Business-as-Usual scenario and actively 
develop methods to mitigate those risks. 
Climate change has been shown to 
increasingly-cause more extreme weather 
conditions such as intense hurricanes, 
thunderstorms, tornadoes and winter storms, as 
well as increased volatility in seasonal 
temperatures. In partnership with our property 
insurer, we focus on these physical climate 
risks, and we are actively working to identify 
and respond to high-exposure areas. Our 
property insurer offers premium credit to its 
insurance customers for their efforts to address 
these risks through projects aimed at improving 
climate resilience such as structural 
improvements to increase snow-load capacity 
and wind resistance. Extreme weather 
conditions, droughts, unpredictable or later-
than-usual last freeze/frost, and associated 
crop damage and negative impacts on yields 
may adversely affect the availability, quality 
and price of the annually renewable agricultural 
commodities we rely on to supply our 
biorefineries, as well as our operations 
and operating results. We also recognize that 
developments in drought-tolerant seed might not 
keep pace with these rapid changes. We may 
also see increased frequency of flood events 
similar to what occurred in our geographic area 
in 2019, which caused supply chain interruptions. 
This could also result in remapped floodplains, 
putting our assets in newly created flood zones 
and resulting in increased insurance premiums. 
Our Emergency Response Plans for all our 
operational sites detail the procedures for 
emergency scenarios, including adverse weather 
events. Rising mean temperatures and longer 
and more frequent summer heat waves would 
also make it more challenging to maintain the 
temperature of our refining process, resulting in 
the need to run supplementary summertime 
chillers longer or upgrade their capacities. Such 
adjustments would add to operating costs and 
could increase our emissions.
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We also consider the potential risks associated 
with rapidly transitioning to a low-carbon 
economy under a 2°C scenario and pay close 
attention to relevant policy, legal, technology and 
market changes. We regularly engage with 
stakeholders, policymakers, regulators and our 
industry partners on climate change issues and 
how they might affect our business.
First, compliance with evolving environmental 
laws and regulations, particularly those related to 
climate change, could be costly. Enhanced 
emissions-reporting obligations and mandates on 
and regulation of existing products and services 
could result in increased operating costs, higher 
compliance costs and increased insurance 
premiums. Climate change legislation in the U.S. 
and abroad is likely to receive increased focus for 
the foreseeable future, with numerous past and 
future proposals made at the international, 
national, regional and state levels of government 
to reduce GHG emissions. Compliance with future 
laws or regulations to decrease GHG emissions 
may have an adverse impact on our operations, 
cash flows and financial position.
Second, our biorefineries are subject to extensive 
environmental regulations. Our ability to maintain 
the required regulatory permits or manage 
changes in environmental regulations is essential 
to successfully operating our biorefineries. 
Governing state agencies could impose costly 
conditions or restrictions that are detrimental to 
our profitability and may have a materially-
adverse effect on our business. Costs to transition 
to lower-emissions process technology related to 
our decarbonization strategy is an important risk 
we consider that has the potential to result in 
increased research and development (R&D) 
expenditures related to new and alternative 
technologies in addition to capital investments in 
technology development. Possible unsuccessful 
investment in new technologies poses further risk. 
Uncertainty in market signals that result in abrupt 
and unexpected shifts in energy costs could have 
an adverse impact on our operations. 
Our industry is particularly susceptible to large 
and unexpected spikes in fossil natural gas prices. 
For example, $13 natural gas contributed to a 
series of widespread bankruptcies in the ethanol 
industry in 2008.
Also, transitioning to a low-carbon economy 
could result in increased cost of raw materials, 
such as corn, enzymes and yeast. Fluctuating 
input prices could increase our overall production 
costs. Many of our biorefineries are capable of 
processing a variety of primary feedstocks 
beyond corn, including sorghum/milo and sugar 
beets. In fact, two of our biorefineries have 
regulatory-approved pathways to process sugar 
beets into ethanol. We also have plans to secure 
regulatory approval to process sorghum/milo into 
ethanol at a select number of facilities where 
there is adequate local sourcing available. While 
we believe this risk to be of relatively low-
probability, this feedstock versatility is just one 
way in which we seek to manage the various risks 
facing our business.
Further, our industry faces some level of scrutiny 
as it relates to debates around food vs. fuel and 
land use change/conversion. Please see page 45 
for our analysis and position on these topics. This 
stigmatization could potentially result in reduced 
revenue from decreased production capacity 
(e.g., reduced/uncertain renewable volume 
obligations under the Renewable Fuel Standard 
(RFS), delayed planning approvals or delayed air 
permitting for expansion projects or new 
construction). Increased stakeholder concern or 
negative stakeholder feedback related to the 
perceived impact that our business has on climate 
change or food prices could result in a reduction 
in capital availability. Banks, lenders and other 
providers of capital may be more hesitant to 
invest in our business.
This discussion of our identified climate risks 
incorporates risks disclosed in the Risk Factors 
section of Green Plains Inc.’s Form 10-K SEC filing.
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Identified Opportunities
We believe that low-carbon biofuel will continue 
to play a critical role in decarbonizing the 
economy, creating well-paying STEM jobs and 
reinforcing our domestic energy security. Green 
Plains is in a unique position to help address the 
most significant ESG risk of climate change, as we 
are in the business of producing low-carbon 
ingredients and fuels that displace traditional 
fossil fuel-based alternatives.
Use of our products helps Green Plains' customers 
comply with the RFS, a law enacted by the U.S. 
Congress in 2005 and expanded in 2007, with 
goals to reduce surface transportation GHG 
emissions, expand the nation’s renewable fuels 
sector, decrease our reliance on imported fossil 
fuels and encourage ethanol production for use as 
a gasoline oxygenate to replace MTBE, which had 
been banned in multiple states.19
From 2007 through 2022, the renewable 
biofuels we produced have reduced GHG 
emissions by more than 48.3 million metric tons 
(MMT) of carbon dioxide equivalents, the 
equivalent of taking 10.4 million passenger 
vehicles off the road for one year.20
As an additional environmental benefit, ethanol, 
the most cost-effective octane enhancer available, 
also displaces some of the toxic elements of 
gasoline — aromatics such as xylene, toluene and 
benzene — thereby reducing particulate matter 
that negatively impacts air quality in addition to 
reducing GHG emissions.
While most of our opportunities exist in a 2°C 
scenario, we also recognize there may be some 
unexpected opportunities in a Business-as-Usual 
world. Rising mean temperatures could create the 
right circumstances for an increase in domestic 
double cropping, as is currently common in Brazil. 
This increase in the supply of crop feedstocks 
could positively impact availability and put 
downward pressure on corn prices.
Looking forward, we also believe that the 
transition opportunities available to Green Plains 
under a 2°C scenario cannot be overstated.
We believe the passage of the Inflation Reduction 
Act, and in particular the creation of the Clean 
Fuel Production Credit (CFPC) under section 45Z, 
presents an enormous opportunity for low-carbon 
liquid fuel producers like us. The CFPC would 
allow a biofuel producer to earn $0.02 per gallon 
for every CI point below 50kgCO2e/MMBtu up to 
$1.00 per gallon. Our biorefinery platform has the 
capacity to produce nearly 1 billion gallons of 
renewable biofuels annually. The basis for the CI 
calculation under this program is the most recent 
Argonne Greenhouse Gases, Regulated Emissions 
and Energy Use in Transportation (GREET) model 
as measured in kilograms of CO2e per million 
British Thermal Units. The current estimated 
Argonne GREET CI scores of our facilities are 
found in the accompanying table, and align with 
the most up-to-date studies analyzing the CI of 
corn ethanol. According to one such study,
U.S. ethanol has a 46% lower GHG profile on 
average than petroleum-based gasoline.21
ARGONNE GREET CI SCORES
KG CO2E/MMBTU
Mount Vernon
Madison
Fairmont
Atkinson
Shenandoah
Obion
Wood River
Superior
Otter Tail
Central City
*   York not listed as it primarily produces non-transportation 
ethanol. 
19
https://www.epa.gov/renewable-fuel-standard-program 
20 https://www.epa.gov/energy/greenhouse-gas-equivalencies-calculator 
21
https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1748-9326/abde08/pdf
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69
66
65
63
60
59
59
56
54
51

Carbon Reduction 
Strategy
Our carbon reduction strategy is based on the 
carbon management hierarchy model: Avoid, 
Reduce, Replace.
Over the past 15 years, we have used existing low-
carbon fuel markets that incentivize the use of 
low-carbon biofuels like California’s Low Carbon 
Fuel Standard (LCFS) program and other state 
programs, as the basis for identifying our energy 
transition opportunities, with a focus on analyzing 
existing technologies where possible and 
assessing new technologies to reduce our 
emissions and improve carbon efficiency.
With the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act 
and the creation of the CFPC, our carbon 
reduction and energy transition strategy now has 
an additional federal layer that allows for a 
consistent framework to evaluate the technical 
feasibility and, most importantly, the economic 
viability of energy transition investments. With 
eight of our biorefineries already on the Summit 
Carbon Solutions (SCS) carbon sequestration 
pipeline project, which is expected to capture 
approximately 1.9 million metric tons of CO2 from 
our facilities, the same amount that would be 
sequestered by 2.3 million acres of U.S. forests in 
a year,22 the CI of our biofuel is expected to drop 
25-30 points. This is why capturing and 
sequestering our biogenic CO2 is our No. 1 priority 
and represents a major step in our 
decarbonization strategy. It is important to note 
that none of this captured CO2 will be used for 
enhanced oil recovery. We are also exploring 
opportunities to capture and utilize or sequester 
CO2 at our biorefineries that are not on the SCS 
pipeline.
In order to further reduce the CI of our biofuels 
and other products/ingredients, however, we will 
need to invest in additional technology. We are 
evaluating technologies such as combined heat 
and power (CHP) co-generation systems, 
anaerobic digesters and gasification systems to 
produce biogas and renewable natural gas (RNG), 
photovoltaic solar, wind turbines and other co-
generation technologies like steam let-down 
turbines. In fact, we have already begun 
engineering and/or construction on several 
projects that are expected to result in emissions 
reductions. The CST™ installation at our 
Shenandoah biorefinery is expected to reduce our 
biogenic emissions. We are also driving a steam 
let-down turbine co-generation project at our 
Shenandoah biorefinery targeting our Scope 2 
emissions, as well as evaporation system 
upgrades at our Obion biorefinery that are 
expected to reduce Scope 1 emissions from 
natural gas combustion.
Our decarbonization strategy is based on the 
unique operational circumstances and technical 
specifications of each of our biorefineries.
Each of our facilities has unique characteristics 
that will require a varying combination of low-
carbon technologies. For example, while one 
facility may be suitable for wind turbines and 
photovoltaic solar due to land availability and 
wind speeds, another may lack Federal Aviation 
Administration clearance due to a nearby airport, 
and the available land may not be suitable due to 
wetlands or other protected habitat. Any sites not 
suitable for traditional low-carbon technology 
may have to rely more heavily on CHP systems 
and other co-generation opportunities. 
Additionally, the viability of biogas and RNG 
production via anaerobic digestion and 
gasification will depend on sourcing feedstock of 
sufficient quality and regularity. Examples of how 
different technologies impact the CI of our biofuel 
under the GREET model are shown on the 
following page. Each location’s waterfall will be 
unique, with the end goal remaining the same: 
carbon-neutral or carbon-negative liquid biofuels. 
Whether it is converted into SAF or used in 
legacy internal combustion surface-transportation 
vehicles, there is a bright future ahead for biofuels 
that can achieve carbon neutrality.
22 https://www.epa.gov/energy/greenhouse-gas-equivalencies-calculator
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BREAKDOWN OF 60 CI ETHANOL AND CARBON REDUCTION STRATEGY
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Blue Blade Energy: 
Tomorrow's 
Aviation Fuel
All roads lead to SAF.
Decarbonization of the aviation industry is one of 
the most promising opportunities for biofuel 
producers like Green Plains. New alcohol-to-jet 
(ATJ) pathways will be necessary to achieve the 
U.S. government's ambitious volume targets for 
SAF. The "SAF Grand Challenge" calls for 3 billion 
gallons of SAF by 2030, and 35 billion gallons by 
2050, up from the approximately 5 million gallons 
the country produces today. A goal that 
aggressive will require feedstock in large volumes, 
and the U.S. ethanol industry already produces 15 
billion gallons of alcohol per year.
In September 2022, Green Plains announced a 
partnership with Tallgrass to develop a Pacific 
Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) SAF 
technology with a new, robust and efficient 
catalyst that converts ethanol to a ketone with a 
carbon-oxygen bond, which is more energy 
efficient to break for conversion to the final jet 
fuel. Because the ethanol to ketone conversion is 
a single-step process, we believe the PNNL 
technology can be a game-changer in efficiently 
converting low-carbon alcohol to a drop-in SAF.
In January 2023, we announced that United 
Airlines had joined the project, creating a joint 
venture (JV) with Green Plains and Tallgrass — 
Blue Blade Energy — to develop the catalyst and, 
depending on successful optimization, construct 
pilot and then full-scale production facilities. We 
expect that Green Plains will contribute ethanol 
feedstock, as well as production and 
technological expertise. The JV is a first-of-its 
kind business strategy in the SAF space, 
capitalizing on the four key components of 
feedstock, technology, infrastructure and 
demand. Tallgrass and Green Plains envisioned a 
structure with a demand partner that would not 
only use the fuel, but also invest in the technology 
development.
This JV is the culmination of our transformation 
into a sustainable ingredient producer, marking 
significant progress in all our pillars of Protein, 
Renewable Corn Oil, Sugar and Carbon. ATJ 
pathways utilizing decarbonized ethanol as 
feedstock represent exciting opportunities for 
Green Plains and our shareholders, as well as for 
an evolving ethanol industry.
Tracking Climate 
Performance
To align our climate strategy and risk 
management process with our assessment of 
climate-related risks and opportunities, we began 
by tracking and publishing various relevant 
metrics and KPIs in our annual Sustainability 
Report. From those metrics, we developed short-, 
medium- and long-term goals and targets. Our 
ESG Workgroup evaluates, monitors and 
establishes targets by working with goal owners 
who develop specific plans, budgets and timelines 
to achieve individual goals. These are then 
reviewed and approved by the SLT and the 
Board’s Nominating and Governance Committee.
We report on several key areas of impact, metrics 
and targets associated with climate-related risks 
and opportunities, including GHG emissions, 
energy use, water use and land stewardship. The 
primary metric associated with our climate-
related risks and opportunities is our absolute 
GHG emissions and the procedures and methods 
to collect data critical for calculating these 
emissions. Additional metrics associated with our 
climate change strategy include operational GHG 
emissions intensity at the organizational level as 
measured in metric tons of CO2e per metric ton of 
raw material feedstock, as well as the CI of our 
biofuel as measured in kilograms of CO2e per 
MMBtu. Through the tracking of these metrics, we 
can closely monitor our environmental impact and 
adjust our approach as needed. We continue to 
analyze our overall environmental performance 
across our company and identify areas for 
improvement. We have robust processes in place 
and continue to implement improvements to 
better understand and minimize our 
environmental impact.
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GREEN PLAINS PERFORMANCE DATA
UNIT OF MEASUREMENT
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
Direct GHG Emissions (Scope 1)
Thousand Metric Tons (MT) CO2e
1,252
1,098
1,179
1,316
1,688
Carbon Dioxide (CO2)
Thousand MT
1,251
1,096
1,178
1,315
1,686
Methane (CH4)
Thousand MT CO2e
 
0.596  
0.519  
0.557  
0.620  
0.795 
Nitrous Oxide (N2O)
Thousand MT CO2e
 
0.779  
0.631  
0.677  
0.739  
0.947 
Indirect GHG Emissions (Scope 2)
Thousand MT CO2e
357
338
348
527
655
CO2
Thousand MT
355
336
345
524
652
CH4
Thousand MT CO2e
 
0.928  
0.893  
0.910  
0.215  
0.267 
N2O
Thousand MT CO2e
 
1.608  
1.536  
1.567  
2.599  
3.230 
Biogenic GHG Emissions (CO2 from 
Fermentation)
Thousand MT
2,441
2,101
2,225
2,444
3,100
Total Operational GHG Emissions (Scope 1, 2 and 
Biogenic)
Thousand MT CO2e
4,050
3,537
3,752
4,287
5,443
Operational Emissions Intensity
MT of CO2e/Raw Material MT
 
0.528  
0.536  
0.538  
0.566  
0.569 
Indirect GHG Emissions (Scope 3)
Thousand MT CO2e
 
2,849  
2,342  
—  
—  
— 
Category 1
Thousand MT CO2e
 
2,128  
1,751  
—  
—  
— 
Category 2
Thousand MT CO2e
 
47.6  
45.4  
—  
—  
— 
Category 3
Thousand MT CO2e
 
463  
345  
—  
—  
— 
Category 4
Thousand MT CO2e
 
52.0  
44.8  
—  
—  
— 
Category 7
Thousand MT CO2e
 
2.35  
2.39  
—  
—  
— 
Category 9
Thousand MT CO2e
 
78.2  
87.2  
—  
—  
— 
Category 11
Thousand MT CO2e
 
77.3  
66.5  
—  
—  
— 
* 
Scope 1 emissions reflect publicly reported data submitted to regulatory agencies as part of the annual air emission inventory reporting. Emission factors are derived through stack testing or through the use 
of commonly accepted emissions factors. The Scope 2 emissions we are currently reporting is purchased electricity. They are calculated using utility billing statements and the EPA GHG Emissions 
Calculator. We use a grid/location-based method of converting purchased electricity into GHG emissions. Scope 3 emissions are reported for category 1 (purchased goods and services), category 2 (capital 
goods), category 3 (fuel & energy related activities not included in Scopes 1 or 2), category 4 (upstream transportation and distribution, category 7 (employee commuting), category 9 (downstream 
transportation and distribution) and category 11 (use of sold products).
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NON-GHG EMISSIONS
2025 GOAL:
Reduce air permit deviations by 60% (vs. 2020)
Biorefineries produce some level of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), 
hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) and particulate matter (PM) in the production 
of ingredients. To reduce these emissions from our operations, we employ 
thermal oxidizer (TO) and regenerative thermal oxidizer (RTO) emissions 
systems to remove up to 98% of the VOCs, HAPs and PM caused by the 
manufacturing process. For example, we upgraded the environmental controls 
for the dryers at our Mount Vernon, Indiana, biorefinery in early 2022 to reduce 
VOCs, HAPs and PM. These upgrades also lowered the biorefinery’s natural gas 
consumption, thereby reducing Scope 1 GHG emissions (MT CO2e) at the 
facility as well.
ENTERPRISE-WIDE AIR EMISSIONS (EXCLUDES GHGs)*
GREEN PLAINS 
PERFORMANCE DATA
UNIT OF MEASUREMENT
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
Sulfur Dioxide (SO2)
Thousand Metric Tons
 0.089  0.087  0.098  0.099  0.122 
Nitrogen Oxides 
(NOX)
Thousand Metric Tons
 0.551  0.482  0.551  0.634  0.826 
VOC Emissions
Thousand Metric Tons
 0.696  0.649  0.563  0.583  0.746 
Carbon Monoxide 
Emissions
Thousand Metric Tons
 0.375  0.341  0.354  0.377  0.489 
Particulate Matter 
Emissions
Thousand Metric Tons
 0.371  0.329  0.379  0.397  0.452 
Air Quality Permits, 
Standards and 
Regulations
Incidents of Non-
Compliance
 
161  
959  1,532  
—  
— 
* 
Investments in emissions control systems exceed local environmental regulations.
RISK MITIGATION APPROACH
OPERATIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS
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2022 SUSTAINABILITY REPORT
2022 EARLY ACHIEVEMENT:
Air permit deviations reduced by 89.49% (vs. 2020)
100%
of biorefineries equipped with:
Leak Detection and Repair 
(LDAR) programs
Mechanical Integrity Program
Continuously monitored critical 
emissions control systems 
(scrubbers, oxidizers)
100%
of biorefineries equipped 
with:
Scheduled and 
unscheduled emission 
inspections by State and 
Federal environmental 
agencies
100%
of emissions control 
systems subject to: 
Daily, monthly and 
annual inspection 
and testing
99%
of ethanol and other 
organic vapors 
removed by  
scrubbers on process 
vent streams
95%
reduction of 
emissions by use of 
low NOx burner
98%
reduction of organic 
emissions from dried 
distillers grains dryer 
exhaust by use of 
Thermal Oxidizers
95%
reduction of PM by 
use of dust control 
systems

Green Plains is actively targeting and 
achieving new energy efficiencies 
across our operations and value chain.
Efforts in 2022 focused on setting new efficiency 
targets, contributing to increased production of 
renewable fuel, supporting reductions in CI and 
working with our transportation partners to 
optimize energy use.
Energy, in the form of purchased electricity and 
the combustion of natural gas fuel, is required to 
convert our feedstock into biofuels, feed and 
ingredients. That requirement won't change, but 
how and where we source energy and how 
efficiently we manage it can. We currently source 
grid electricity and fossil natural gas. While the 
share of renewables on the grid is constantly 
improving and natural gas is one of the least 
carbon-intense fossil fuels, we understand there is 
more that we can do.
In 2022, we continued to reduce our energy use 
and increase energy efficiency across our 
platform.
2026 GOAL:
2% reduction per year of our natural gas 
intensity (MMBtu/Raw Material MT)
Energy use and efficiency are key 
components of our carbon reduction 
strategy.
A variety of clean energy-generation technologies 
are incorporated into the plan, including 
combined heat and power systems, co-
generation, wind turbines, and photovoltaic solar. 
We have made steady reductions in both 
operational electricity and fuel consumption since 
2018. We are also planning or engineering a 
number of energy efficiency projects, including 
drier exhaust energy reclamation and evaporator 
system upgrades. In addition, we regularly 
incorporate energy efficiency projects into our 
annual capital expenditures plan such as boiler 
and economizer upgrades, centrifuge power 
packs and variable frequency drives.
CONSUMPTION REDUCTION SINCE 2018
Off-site electricity 
consumption 
(thousand megawatt 
hours) reduced by 
21.50% 
On-site natural gas fuel 
consumption (MMBtu) 
reduced by 23.83%
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2022 SUSTAINABILITY REPORT
2022 PROGRESS:
Reduced natural gas intensity by 1.86% (vs. 2021)
GREEN PLAINS 
PERFORMANCE DATA
UNIT OF MEASUREMENT
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
Electricity Use
Thousand Megawatt Hours
726
650
661
735
924
Energy Intensity
Kilowatt Hours (KWh) / Raw Material MT
94.635
98.438
94.846
97.038
96.585
Natural Gas
Million British Thermal Unit (MMBtu)
23,517,446 20,622,819 22,158,963 24,778,741 30,874,334
Natural Gas Intensity
MMBtu / Raw Material MT
3.067
3.125
3.179
3.271
3.226
Energy Use and Efficiency
Natural Gas
Intensity
Decrease
1.86%
decrease by the end of 
2022 over 2021 baseline

Clean Energy From 
Renewable Corn Oil
We are a critical player in the production of clean 
fuels, in addition to creating low-carbon 
feedstocks for advanced biofuel production. One 
of our main goals is to contribute in a bigger way 
to the production of low-CI fuels, such as 
renewable diesel and SAF through increased 
renewable corn oil yields.
2025 GOAL:
50% increase in average renewable corn oil 
yield (vs. 2020)
2025 GOAL:
Achieve average renewable corn oil yield of 1.2 
pounds per bushel
Renewable corn oil has a lower CI than most 
available feedstocks,23 and because it is not 
suitable for human consumption, it is considered a 
“waste oil” under the RFS and LCFS programs. 
The renewable corn oil produced at our 
biorefineries is an ideal low-CI feedstock for 
renewable diesel, biodiesel and SAF, and we have 
already increased our renewable corn oil yields 
since 2020, on track to achieve our 2025 targets. 
This effort is a prime example of how we 
continually work on extracting additional value 
from every kernel of corn we procure, creating 
more value for farmers and our stakeholders, 
while also supplying fuels that reduce GHG 
emissions.
23 https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1748-9326/
abde08
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2022 SUSTAINABILITY REPORT
2022 PROGRESS:
Increased average renewable corn oil yield by 
20.19% (vs. 2020)
2022 PROGRESS:
Achieved average renewable corn oil yield of 
0.93 pounds per bushel
Source: Company analysis of California Air 
Resources Board's pathways
AVERAGE CI PATHWAYS FOR BIODIESEL 
AND RENEWABLE DIESEL FEEDSTOCK
55
54
32
30
20
Soybean Oil
Canola Oil
Tallow, Fats
Renewable Corn Oil
Used Cooking Oil

Product Transportation 
and Infrastructure
While the nature of our business lends itself to 
majority bulk transport with its smaller carbon 
footprint, Green Plains is partnering to optimize 
efficiencies in the local trucking services we also 
employ.
According to the Association of American 
Railroads, moving freight by rail rather than trucks 
reduces GHG emissions by up to 75%.24
Today, Green Plains moves the majority of our 
biorefinery output via rail or barge. We met our 
2022 goal of maintaining at least 50% in bulk 
transport last year in order to keep our CI scores 
low, achieving 74%.
2022 GOAL:
Maintain at least 50% bulk transport
The balance of our freight moves by truck. Our 
primary strategic initiative for this key area of 
impact is to execute a volunteer backhaul 
program with our third-party carriers in 2023 to 
decrease deadheading.
2022 GOAL:
Meet with all of our top outside carriers to align 
on backhaul program by year end
2023 GOAL:
Execute a volunteer backhaul program with 
third-party carriers to decrease deadheading
In such a program, third-party carriers would 
voluntarily share what percentage of shipments 
originating out of our plants and terminals are 
backhauls. Deadheading is any trip from our 
product’s destination, usually our terminals, back 
to our biorefineries with an empty trailer. 
Traveling with an empty trailer significantly 
increases the GHG emission intensity of the trip 
(MT CO2e per ton-mile). Studies show that 
decreasing deadheading can reduce Scope 3 
emissions between 3% and 20%.25
In 2022, our immediate objective was to directly 
engage with third-party carriers and trucking 
companies to discuss and collaborate on 
sustainability goals, alignments and the backhaul 
program, with a goal of meeting with all of our 
top outside carriers by the end of the year. Having 
met this goal in 2022, we are in the process of 
implementing the backhaul program this year.
Our established network of biofuel storage 
facilities, at or near our 11 biorefineries, also helps 
us manage our transportation footprint.
These facilities allow fuel and other value-added 
products to be easily loaded into railcars and 
tanker trucks. Each location features fuel storage 
tanks and access to major rail lines for 
transportation. By utilizing rail transportation 
assets, we are further reducing the need to truck 
biofuel long distances. Through our controlling 
stake in Green Plains Partners, a master limited 
partnership, we oversee a leased railcar fleet with 
an aggregate capacity of 85 million gallons 
dedicated to transporting end products. Green 
Plains Partners’ wholly owned subsidiary, 
BlendStar LLC, and its network of rail-accessible 
fuel terminals, with a combined storage capacity 
of approximately 6.9 million gallons, puts us in an 
effective position to reach southern markets that 
previously did not have efficient access to 
renewable fuel.
24 https://www.aar.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/AAR-Sustainability-Fact-Sheet.pdf
25
Lin, Dung Ying and Nig, Kuok Hou. (December 2021). “The impact of collaborative backhaul routing on carbon reduction in the freight industry.” Transportation Research Part D: Transport and Environment, 
Volume 17, Issue 8, pp. 626-628.
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2022 SUSTAINABILITY REPORT
2022 ACHIEVEMENT:
Met with all of our top outside carriers to 
discuss and collaborate on sustainability goals, 
alignments and backhaul program
2022 ACHIEVEMENT:
Maintained 74% bulk transport

Water Management
We are acting with urgency to decrease 
water use in our operations wherever 
possible, applying new technologies 
and processes to help safeguard this 
vital natural resource.
In 2022, Green Plains continued to drive new 
water-use efficiencies in our biorefineries, 
reduce our water intensity and water-permit 
deviations and work with our farmer customers 
to support sustainable agricultural practices.
Water Sourcing
Each of our biorefineries requires a consistent and 
reliable supply of water, and we understand that 
efficient water use in production minimizes water 
disruption and pollution in the communities where 
we operate. The water used is sourced from 
groundwater (well water) and to a lesser degree 
from third-party providers (municipal water, 
including recycled municipal water). Much of the 
water used is recycled back into our biorefinery 
process. Since 2018, we have realized a 3.68% 
reduction in water withdrawn (thousand cubic 
meters), and we are acting to build on this 
progress.
Goals and Achievements
Our approach is being validated by the steady or 
early achievement of important water-
management goals:
2025 GOAL:
Reduce water intensity by 10% (vs. 2021)
Water Resource 
Management
We are currently developing a water resource 
management plan to guide us toward achieving 
our water management goals and are actively 
incorporating ways to reduce water usage (e.g., 
land application, wastewater pond projects, 
eliminating water additions to yeast props) into 
our strategic plan.
In 2022, we implemented a number of efficiency 
and process improvements to reduce our 
operational water use. These included eliminating 
water additions to yeast props and successfully 
installing a controlled backwash system at our 
Otter Tail facility, which now returns water that 
was previously being discharged to the river back 
into our processes, increasing water efficiency. In 
2022, we also performed periodic stack testing, 
which has allowed us to reduce the water flow 
and consumption of our CO2 scrubbers at some of 
our biorefineries. Planned efficiency solutions 
include implementing a drier-exhaust energy 
reclamation system that is able to condense the 
process water vapor exiting our dryer stack back 
into liquid for recycling.
As seen in the diagram below, two streams of 
water are used in our biorefinery processes — 
cooling water and process water — and they do 
not come into contact with each other. Due to this 
stream separation, the majority of our cooling 
water and nearly all of our process water can be 
recirculated. Some water is lost through water 
treatment discharge (reverse osmosis reject and 
softener regeneration), boiler blowdowns, 
evaporation via dryer stacks, evaporation via 
cooling tower, or (at all but one of our facilities) 
the discharge of cooling water via continuous or 
periodic cooling tower blowdowns. Continuously 
recirculating cooling water eventually builds up 
dissolved solids to the point where it needs to be 
replenished with fresh water.
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GREEN PLAINS INC.
2022 SUSTAINABILITY REPORT
2022 PROGRESS:
Water intensity reduced by 3.01%  (Thousand 
Cubic Meters/Raw Material MT) (vs. 2021)

Environmental Compliance
We comply with all local and federal 
appropriation, pollution and permitting 
requirements for water utilization at our facilities, 
and all but one of our facilities have zero liquid 
process water discharge. Additionally, our 
Shenandoah facility utilizes treated municipal 
recycled water in its cooling tower, reducing the 
amount of fresh water we pull from the local 
community. We currently do not have any known 
significant water-related impacts identified by 
local authorities or other stakeholders.
All of our facilities are regulated for effluent 
standards via various state and federal regulatory 
agencies. Each state or federal authority is able to 
apply specific standards to meet the needs of 
local water bodies receiving effluents. 
Green Plains works with these authorities to 
ensure that proper standards are applied. Our 
water discharge is managed through stormwater 
monitoring planning & National Pollutant 
Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) 
permitting, monitoring and reporting.
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2022 SUSTAINABILITY REPORT

GREEN PLAINS PERFORMANCE DATA
UNIT OF MEASUREMENT
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
Groundwater Withdrawal
Thousand Cubic Meters
 
9,187  
9,182  
8,861  
9,328  
9,366 
Municipal Water Withdrawal
Thousand Cubic Meters
 
1,683  
759  
1,239  
1,458  
1,897 
Reclaimed Water Withdrawal
Thousand Cubic Meters
 
257  
288  
313  
317  
290 
Saltwater Withdrawal
Thousand Cubic Meters
 
0  
0  
0  
0  
0 
Surface Water Withdrawal
Thousand Cubic Meters
 
0  
0  
0  
0  
0 
Total Water Withdrawal
Thousand Cubic Meters
 
11,128  
10,229  
10,413  
11,103  
11,553 
Total Water Discharged
Thousand Cubic Meters
 
3,596  
3,546  
3,966  
4,151  
5,102 
Total Water Use
Thousand Cubic Meters
 
7,532  
6,683  
6,447  
6,952  
6,451 
Total Water Intensity
Cubic Meters Water / Raw Material MT
 
0.982  
1.013  
0.925  
0.918  
0.674 
Water Quality Permits, Standards and Regulations
Incidents of Non-Compliance
 
7  
15  
41  
—  
— 
Water Management in Manufacturing
BEST AVAILABLE CONTROL SYSTEMS
RISK MITIGATION APPROACH
Recycled 
water goal
Process water, internal recycling/
zero liquid discharge by design
Heat/cooling efficiencies 
by design
Process efficiency measures 
(energy use)
Recycled water for 
evaporative cooling
Evaporative reuse
Scrubbing efficiency
Utility efficiency (offset 
by environmental)
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10 of 11
100%
100%
of biorefineries 
equipped with:
Storm water 
containment ponds
Boom systems
of biorefineries subject to: 
Scheduled and 
unscheduled water 
inspections by State and 
Federal agencies
100%
biorefineries 
discharge 
zero liquid 
process water
of hazardous 
chemicals stored 
inside containment 
structure

Natural Capital and Land Stewardship
Green Plains is committed to protecting 
biodiversity and reducing deforestation 
while also partnering with our farmer 
customers to advance sustainable 
sourcing and farming. 
In 2022, we continued to assess the broader 
biodiversity and other nature-related impacts of 
our operations. This work is ongoing. Over the 
long term, we help ensure sustainable land use by 
keeping existing land in agriculture production, 
which in turn fosters soil regeneration and 
resilient ecosystems. By contrast, urban 
development claims 2 million acres of farmland 
per year in the U.S.26
In 2022, we developed a multiyear farm carbon 
strategy and grain origination road map to 
coordinate and drive sustainable farming 
practices and outcomes going forward.
26
Farmland losing to urban sprawl | Farm Progress
Sustainable Agriculture
We are working with our farmer customers to 
help reduce the CI of the feedstock they produce 
and we process, keep carbon in the soil, reduce 
water use and minimize erosion of valuable 
topsoil. 
Focus on Carbon Intensity
Our farmers are always innovating, using the 
latest production practices, available technologies 
and latest science to produce more crops on the 
same number of acres. Leaps forward in seed 
technology have dramatically increased yields 
and enhanced drought tolerance and weed 
resistance. When coupled with regenerative 
production practices such as cover crops, 
reduced tillage and split application of crop 
nutrients, these new seed technologies also 
enable farmers to produce more while using fewer 
inputs, conserving water and making fewer trips 
across the field. 
As opportunities to advance sustainable 
agriculture expand every year, we seek to partner 
with farmers to lower their CI even further. These 
CI reductions are not only the right thing to do, 
they are also supported by state and federal 
policy, including LCFS programs and incentives 
codified in the Inflation Reduction Act in 2022. 
Technology-neutral clean fuel policy, such as the 
Section 45Z Clean Fuel Production Credit, can 
incentivize dramatic improvements in on-farm 
conservation if the policy is designed and 
implemented properly. Additionally, having an 
accurate and complete picture of the CI and 
sustainable characteristics of our primary 
feedstock is becoming more essential to 
participation in high-value end-use markets. This 
is demonstrated by the fact that many of our 
downstream customers are beginning to more 
closely scrutinize the CI of our animal feed 
products, which is itself impacted heavily by 
feedstock CI. As we begin implementing the first 
stages of our farm carbon strategy in 2023, we 
are gaining greater visibility into the true CI and 
sustainability of our baseline feedstock. We are 
driven to reduce the carbon footprint throughout 
our supply chain and plan to work side by side 
with our farmers to incentivize and scale 
sustainable farming practices.
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2022 SUSTAINABILITY REPORT

Land Stewardship 
Because of our foundational relationship with 
farmers and their crops, land stewardship and the 
conservation of natural resources are top 
priorities for Green Plains. 
We source 100% of feedstock from farmers, grain 
elevators and cooperatives in the U.S., with over 
90% sourced within a 30-mile trucking distance 
from each of our biorefineries. Our practice of 
buying locally from U.S. farmers not only keeps 
family farms in business and supports local 
communities but also helps mitigate deforestation 
around the globe and decrease the use of long-
haul transportation and its environmental impact. 
Further, our new FQT MSC™ systems enhance 
renewable corn oil yields, allowing us to increase 
the production of an important clean energy 
feedstock source without expanding cropland 
acreage. The amount of corn we processed in 
2022 can be grown on 261,000 fewer acres than 
in 2007,27 and none of our feedstock comes from 
land converted to cropland from forests, 
grasslands or wetlands, in compliance with RFS 
regulations related to renewable biomass. 
27
(301,868,000 bushels of corn processed in 2022 / average 
US corn yield in 2007 of 150.7 bushels per acre) – 
(301,868,000 bushels of corn processed in 2022 / average 
US corn yield in 2022 of 173.3 bushels per acre) = 261,224.38
Sustainable Sourcing
Each of our biorefineries uses on average 
approximately 30 million bushels of corn annually, 
and we rely on our strong relationships with local 
farmers to ensure that we receive a steady supply 
of corn. A number of farmers in our supply chain 
use sustainable farming techniques, such as 
precision agriculture and the split application of 
nutrients, to increase yields while simultaneously 
lowering the levels of traditional inputs needed 
(such as land, water, fertilizer, herbicides and 
insecticides).28 Many of these farmers also use 
cover crops and conservation tillage practices to 
reduce the risk of land degradation and often 
enroll marginal ground in federal conservation 
programs. 
2030 GOAL:
Source 100% of primary 
feedstock sustainably
28
See https://sustainableamerica.org/blog/what-is-precision-
agriculture/ and https://nutrientstewardship.org/
implementation/split-fertilizer-application-helps-optimize-
nutrient-management/.
2023 GOALS:
Build Corn Procurement team to include 
additional carbon and traceability experience
Continue to implement phased approach to 
achieving 2030 sustainable sourcing goal 
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2022 SUSTAINABILITY REPORT
2022 PROGRESS: 
Finalized a multiyear farm carbon strategy/
grain origination road map 
Defined what "sustainably sourced" 
feedstock means to Green Plains 
GREEN PLAINS CONSIDERS 
FEEDSTOCK TO BE SUSTAINABLY 
SOURCED WHEN ONE OR MORE OF 
THE FOLLOWING SUSTAINABLE 
FARMING PRACTICES WAS 
IMPLEMENTED FOR THE PRODUCTION 
OF THE FEEDSTOCK, INCLUDING, BUT 
NOT LIMITED TO:  
• Split application of nitrogen fertilizer
• 4R nitrogen management (right time, right 
place, right form and right rate)
• Use of cover crops
• Use of conservation tillage practices (low 
till/no till)
• Use of manure as fertilizer

BIOFUELS: FEEDING THE FOOD 
SYSTEM, USING FEWER RESOURCES 
AND COMBATING INFLATION
New and evolving technologies and agricultural 
practices are changing the way that corn is grown 
and biofuels are produced in the U.S. — for the 
better. These advances are making it possible to 
grow more corn on fewer acres while using fewer 
inputs, creating positive environmental trend lines 
in biofuel production. Our Green Plains 2.0 
roadmap incorporates and builds on these 
improvements.
Producing Feed that 
Supports the Human Diet
Many valued and sustainable products are made 
from corn — most notably ethanol, a clean, 
environmentally friendly and necessary octane 
booster for gasoline that helps extend the liquid 
fuel supply. Other coproducts include low-carbon 
feedstock for renewable diesel, CO2 for 
commercial use or permanent sequestration, feed 
for animals (~30% of the kernel) that would 
otherwise consume corn and other row crops, and 
feed for land-based farmed fish that would 
otherwise be fed fish.
Historically, an unfounded criticism associated 
with biofuel production has to do with the amount 
of U.S. farmland used to grow corn that is not 
directly used for human consumption. It is 
important to note, however, that biofuels and the 
food system are not separate entities. The corn 
kernels processed in biorefineries do not leave the 
food system entirely. Rather, nearly a third of 
each kernel becomes feed for poultry, cattle, fish, 
and other animals consumed in human diets. As 
detailed on the following page, less than 10% of 
corn grown in the U.S. is processed directly into 
products for human consumption.
USING LESS LAND TO GROW 
MORE CORN
While overall production of corn, the most 
abundant crop in the U.S., has indeed increased 
dramatically over the past 100 years, the amount 
of land used to grow corn has actually been 
decreasing over time. As shown in the graph 
below, the total acres planted have gone down 
while corn yields have increased: from averages 
that hovered near 100 million acres in the early 
1900s, to an average of 90 million acres between 
2007 and 2021, to fewer than 90 million acres in 
202229 as estimated by the USDA. 
29
USDA/NASS QuickStats Ad-hoc Query Tool 
Scientific and technological advances, along with 
new production practices, notably precision 
agricultural technology and better seed genetics, 
are responsible for these higher yields per acre of 
corn planted. As shown in the graph below, yields 
have risen by 15% since 2007, when the RFS was 
expanded. These increased yields per acre have 
also been accompanied by reductions in chemical, 
fertilizer, and water inputs for every kernel grown, 
including a 50% reduction in the amount of 
nitrogen fertilizer application (in pounds per 
bushel of corn) since the 1970s.30
30 USDA ERS - Fertilizer Use and Price
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GREEN PLAINS INC.
2022 SUSTAINABILITY REPORT
CORN ACRES PLANTED VS. YIELD (1926–2022)

SEEING FEWER
ESTIMATED EMISSIONS
Another positive trend is that estimated emissions 
from land use change (LUC) related to corn 
biofuel production have decreased since 2008. 
Improved and more sustainable farming practices 
as well as more accurate data collection methods 
are credited for the new estimations, among other 
factors.
To name one example, an early technique for 
analyzing land use change in the 2008 
Searchinger et al. FAPRI model was found to be 
faulty. According to the study: “To predict land 
specific crop acres, FAPRI relies upon Moderate 
Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) 
satellite imagery data, which has been 
demonstrated to misclassify agricultural and non-
agricultural lands, resulting in inaccurate 
predictions of land types that convert to cropland 
and unreliable emission estimates associated with 
LUC” (Melissa J Scully, 2021).31
31
Carbon intensity of corn ethanol in the United States: state 
of the science (iop.org)
COMBATING PRICE INFLATION FOR
FOOD AND GAS
In addition to these positive trends, biofuel 
production also helps combat price inflation for 
food items as well as fuel. The price of oil directly 
and significantly contributes to both food and fuel 
price inflation.
Specifically, gas and diesel prices at the pump are 
a combination of the price of oil, refining costs, 
distribution and marketing, and taxes. These 
prices are largely fixed, with the exception of oil 
prices, which have a direct correlation with gas 
prices.32 Similarly, retail food prices are most 
significantly correlated with transportation costs 
(petroleum use),33 marketing and labor costs.
32
Fuels Prices – In Context, not Hype | Fuels Institute
33
Luft, R. Z. (2008, May 6). Food vs. fuel a global myth. 
Chicago Tribune.
The cost of the underlying commodity has a lower 
impact on the final retail prices of food.
Increased biofuel use, therefore, actually brings 
down food and fuel prices for the consumer by 
extending the liquid fuel supply and making it 
more cost-effective: 10% ethanol blended into 
gasoline can reduce the price at the pump 
dramatically and higher blends such as E15 and 
E85 provide even greater savings. A recent study 
showed that ethanol saves the average U.S. 
household over $750 per year, or $0.77/gal on 
average, for total savings of $95 billion per year.34
34 https://ethanolrfa.org/media-and-news/category/news-
releases/article/2023/02/new-study-ethanol-industry-s-
impact-on-the-u-s-economy-strengthened-in-2022
LAND USE CHANGE EMISSIONS (gCO2/MJ)
U.S. CORN USAGE BY SEGMENT 2022
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GREEN PLAINS INC.
2022 SUSTAINABILITY REPORT
104
30
28
20
12
7
8.6
5.4
Searching et al.
FAPRI 2008
CARB 2009
U.S. EPA 2010
CARB 2015
European Union 2015
Wang et al.
GREET 2017
USDA 2018
Argonne National
Lab Winrock 2020
38.1%
Feed & Residual
7.1%
Ethanol—Animal Feed
28.8%
Ethanol—Fuel
9.7%
Other
25.9%
Octane Required in Fuel 
Supply
2.8%
High-Fructose Corn 
Syrup
2.3%
Higher Blends & Exports
2.5%
Glucose & Dextrose
0.5%
Renewable Corn Oil for 
Renewable  Diesel/Biodiesel
1.7%
Starch
1.4%
Cereal/Other
1.1%
Beverage & Industrial  
Alcohol
16.3%
Exports
0.2%
Seed

Waste, Circularity and Environmental Compliance
Inherently Little Waste
Our biorefinery operations, by their very nature, 
produce very little waste.
When feedstock, primarily corn, arrives on-site, it 
is unloaded from trucks in bulk and dumped 
directly into a receiving pit. From there, the corn 
is passed through a scalping deck that removes 
any cobs and husks, leaving only corn kernels. The 
number of cobs and husks is very low as the farm 
machinery that harvested the corn has already 
separated the kernels from the rest of the plant. 
The water treatment process at some of our 
biorefineries produces some lime cake, which is 
disposed of as solid waste. However, our Superior, 
Iowa facility donates that lime to local area 
farmers for field application.
Inherently Little 
Packaging
In addition, our products require almost 
no packaging.
The ingredients we produce are shipped in bulk 
quantities and loaded directly onto outbound rail 
cars and trucks. From there, the products are 
consumed relatively quickly, either by being 
blended and then combusted in an engine or 
consumed by livestock and other animals, leaving 
behind no packaging waste. Only a very small 
number of our products ship in packages. This 
lack of packaging for a majority of our products 
differentiates us and our industry from others that 
rely more heavily on finite materials and make 
products that require or have a lot of packaging 
and are more difficult to recycle at the end of life.
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GREEN PLAINS INC.
2022 SUSTAINABILITY REPORT

Goals and Achievements
Beyond the circularity of our biorefinery 
operations, we take steps to manage other waste 
at our facilities. In 2022, Green Plains:
• Completed the tracking and consolidation of 
non-hazardous waste data for all our 
biorefineries
• Finalized an enhanced corporate recycling 
program for implementation in 2023
• Set a new goal of zero waste to landfill by 2030
LOOKING FORWARD: 2023 WASTE 
MANAGEMENT GOALS
Implement enhanced corporate recycling 
program throughout 2023
Develop an active waste management plan 
to support our goal of zero waste by 2030
ENHANCED RECYCLING:
PLANNED 2023 ROLLOUT
The pilot phase where we incorporate 
I 
additional recycling bins, begin to measure 
E
S
volumes of recyclable commodities via a 
A
H
collection survey, and further refine 
P
program strategy for a self-sustaining/
revenue-generating recycling program. 
The scale-up phase where we decide upon 
II
final bin numbers based on volumes and 
 
E
S
efficiency and procure additional equipment 
A
H
to condense and market various recyclable 
P
commodities as determined by 
collection surveys.
III 
Further enhancements like a composting 
E
S
A
program and expanding the strategy to 
H
P
additional Green Plains locations.
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GREEN PLAINS INC.
2022 SUSTAINABILITY REPORT
Environmental Compliance
We work to protect natural resources and comply with all related laws and regulations, including around 
waste prevention and management.
GREEN PLAINS PERFORMANCE DATA
UNIT OF MEASUREMENT
2022
2021
Hazardous Waste Disposal
Thousand Metric Tons
0.001
0.002
Non-Hazardous Waste Disposal
Thousand Metric Tons
4.67  
— 
We are committed to the protection of natural resources and compliance with all related laws and 
regulations, including around waste prevention and management. Throughout our operations, we seek to 
comply with all applicable environmental laws and regulations, including the management of hazardous 
chemicals.35 All of our biorefinery locations are registered as Renewable Fuel Producers with the U.S. 
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and meet the requirements for the RFS (Title 40 CFR Part 80). 
Additionally, 100% of the denatured fuel ethanol we produce is RFS compliant.
ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE
UNIT OF MEASUREMENT
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
Number of Sites
Count
 
11  
12  
14  
14  
17 
Number of Reportable Spills36
Count
 
0  
1  
1  
1  
0 
Volume of Reportable Spills
Liters
 
0  
1,210  
9,971  
22,933  
0 
Number of Environmental Fines
Count
 
0  
1  
1  
1  
2 
Amount of Environmental Fines
USD
 
$0  
$13,992  
$25,000  
$2,720  
$11,570 
35
GPRE complies with environmental laws and regulations from the following U.S. based agencies: NDEE, DHHS, IDNR, MPCA, MNDNR, 
MDH, EIPA, IDEM and TDEC.
36 As defined by the U.S. EPA, a reportable spill is an uncontrolled release of material to the ground in excess of the reportable 
quantity. Ethanol facilities are classified as Very Small Quantity Generators (VSQGs) per U.S. EPA HazWaste Requirements (40 CFR 
Part 262.14), disposing of hazardous materials or waste according to authorized HazWaste haulers (Categories of Hazardous Waste 
Generators | US EPA).

ABOUT
GREEN PLAINS
OUR COMMITMENT
TO SUSTAINABILITY
ENVIRONMENTAL
SOCIAL
GOVERNANCE
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GREEN PLAINS INC.
2022 SUSTAINABILITY REPORT
Social
Green Plains respects the critical 
role of all stakeholders in our 
transformation journey. 
We continually work to enhance 
our programs and policies to 
support and empower our 
employees, customers, suppliers 
and communities. 
OUR KEY TOPICS
page
page
page
page
page
page
52
Employee Health 
and Safety
56
Talent 
Acquisition, 
Engagement and 
DE&I
58
Training, 
Learning & 
Career 
Development
61
Customers
63
Suppliers
64
Communities

Social
We invest in the people on whom 
Green Plains depends: our employees, 
customers, suppliers and communities.
Key investments in this area include prioritizing 
employee health and safety efforts; working to 
advance workforce diversity, equity and inclusion; 
partnering with our customers and suppliers to 
create shared benefits; and giving back to our 
local communities.
Employee Health 
and Safety
We actively work to protect the health and 
safety of our employees by monitoring and 
evaluating our EHS programs, practices, and 
outcomes. Our goal is continual assessment and 
improvement in all EHS areas going forward, as 
we transform and grow our business.
As described by the U.S. Department of Energy, 
industrial plant activities often involve "working 
with heavy industrial equipment, fixing any worn 
or broken machinery parts, and testing the quality 
of the end products. Within the bioenergy sector, 
plant workers can also be engaged with 
combining chemicals and testing fuel and 
chemical end-product quality."37
Given the scientific and technical nature of the 
work performed in our biorefineries, Green Plains 
fully appreciates the critical importance of 
effective EHS policies and practices for both our 
valued employees and our business. Further, we 
believe that transparency and disclosure around 
incidents and hazards, as well as safety 
achievements, is the straightest line to optimal 
employee safety.
In 2022, we continued to make good progress in 
our safety journey, notably exceeding our 2025 
target for reducing OSHA Recordable Incidents 
three years early:
2022 EARLY ACHIEVEMENT:
OSHA TRIR reduced by 46% (vs. 2020 baseline)
In 2022, we also continued to factor safety 
metrics into the calculation of executive 
compensation, required implementation of our 
Cardinal Rules for the third consecutive year, and 
applied the tenets of our new Occupational 
Health & Safety Policy for a second year in a row.
We also experienced 0 process safety incidents in 
2022.
37 https://www.energy.gov/eere/bioenergy/bioenergy-career-map-plant-manager
ABOUT
GREEN PLAINS
OUR COMMITMENT
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GREEN PLAINS INC.
2022 SUSTAINABILITY REPORT
Our occupational health and 
safety management system 
is based on the following 
recognized risk management 
standards:
• Occupational Safety and Health 
Administration (OSHA)
• Process Safety Management (PSM)
• American National Standards 
Institute (ANSI)
• National Fire Protection 
Association (NFPA)
• Steel Tank Institute (STI)
2025 GOAL:
Reduce OSHA Total Recordable Incident 
Rate (TRIR) by 35% (vs. 2020 baseline)
2023 GOALS:
Reimagine safety training for 2023 to be 
more interactive and inclusive
Implement layered audit program across the 
platform

EHS Programs and Policies
To support operational safety, we evaluate and 
seek to improve our Health and Safety program 
on an ongoing basis through our Program Review 
and Enterprise Implementation framework, which 
consists of policies, controls, hazards elimination 
and safety training.
Specifically, Green Plains conducts regularly 
scheduled safety trainings, inspections, and 
incident reporting and investigations. We also 
ensure the completion of internal and 
independent external audits. Each of our facilities 
has its own Health and Safety Committee that 
meets monthly. All employees are invited to 
participate in these meetings, which feature 
multifunctional panel discussions and decision-
making.
All employees at our 11 biorefineries are covered 
under our Process Safety Management (PSM) 
policy and procedures, which define protocols for 
regulated, highly hazardous chemicals as well as 
non-regulated chemicals, among other safety 
protocols.
Additional Green Plains programs, policies and 
procedures designed to prevent or mitigate 
significant negative occupational health and 
safety impacts linked to our operations include:
• OSHA policies and procedures
• Our PSM policies and procedures
• Our Contractor Management System
• Our Emergency Response Planning & Training 
program
ABOUT
GREEN PLAINS
OUR COMMITMENT
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GREEN PLAINS INC.
2022 SUSTAINABILITY REPORT
PROGRAM REVIEW
AND ENTERPRISE
IMPLEMENTATION
• Cardinal Rules
SAFETY TRAINING
• Program Matrix
• Emergency Response 
Planning & Training
HAZARD ASSESSMENT AND
IDENTIFICATION
• Process Hazard Analysis
• Inspections
• Audits
CONTROLS
• Hierarchy of Controls
• Contractor Management 
System (First, Verify)
• PSM Program Policy
RISK MANAGEMENT
STANDARDS
• American National 
Standards Institute (ANSI)
• National Fire Protection 
Association (NFPA)
• American Petroleum 
Institute (API)
• Steel Tank Institute (STI)
HAZARD COMMUNICATION
PROGRAM
• Globally Harmonized System 
(GHS) of Classification and 
Labeling of Chemicals
OSHA POLICIES
• Industrial Hygiene Testing
• Audiometric Surveys
• Hearing Conservation
• Respiratory Fit Testing
INCIDENT REPORTING
SYSTEM
• Incident Investigation Policy 
and Procedure
• Incident Investigation Teams
• Corrective Actions
HEALTH AND SAFETY
COMMITTEES
• Meet monthly
• All employees welcome to 
participate
Occupational Health and Safety Policy

6S LEAN: 5S + SAFETY
6S Lean, otherwise known as 5S + Safety, is 
a system that aims to promote and sustain a 
high level of productivity and safety 
throughout a workspace.
Source: www.safetyculture.com
EHSS CARDINAL RULES
We believe that all occupational incidents, injuries 
and environmental harm are preventable. As such, 
we continue to require adherence to what is 
known internally as our Environmental, Health, 
Safety and Security (EHSS) Cardinal Rules. We 
monitor adherence to the Cardinal Rules in 
several ways, including monthly internal scoring, 
semi-annual corporate audits and regular "walk 
around" safety compliance monitoring.
All employees and contractors of Green Plains 
and its related subsidiaries, as well as visitors to 
Green Plains and its subsidiaries, are expected to 
understand and abide by our Cardinal Rules. Each 
of the above-described individuals has stop-work 
authority when and if that person believes that a 
rule is not being followed or that an unsafe 
condition or hazard is present in the workplace.
HAZARD AND INCIDENT 
RISK ASSESSMENT
Green Plains works to assess safety risks, and 
identify and prevent potential work-related 
hazards, on both a routine and ad hoc basis. Per 
best practice, we use a variety of methods to 
collect and evaluate safety-risk information, 
including:
• Job hazard 
assessments
• Process hazard 
analyses
• Safety committees
• Periodic internal 
and independent 
external audits 
and inspections
• Hierarchy of 
controls 
• Industrial hygiene 
testing
• Audiometric surveys
• Hearing-conservation 
programs
• Respiratory fit testing
• Internal and 
independent external 
health and safety 
assessments
HAZARD AND INCIDENT REPORTING 
AND REMEDIATION
Green Plains employees are encouraged to report 
work-related hazards and hazardous situations 
through our Incident Reporting System, 
Employee Concerns Reporting system and 
GP Alert Line System.
Work-related incidents are investigated and 
corrective actions and needed improvements are 
determined by our Incident Investigation Policy & 
Procedure and Incident Investigation teams. 
Employees may also participate in Safety and 
PSM committees and meetings to voice concerns 
and identify solutions.
Green Plains also follows the Globally 
Harmonized System (GHS) of Classification 
and Labeling of Chemicals Hazard 
Communication Program. This program has 
been recognized by multiple government 
agencies as best practice for the biofuel, 
petroleum and chemical industries.
In addition, each of our applicable biorefinery 
facilities with hazardous chemicals has instituted a 
Hazard Communication Policy, which comprises 
employee training, management responsibilities, 
maintenance of chemical listings and associated 
documentation (e.g., safety data sheets (SDS), 
container labeling and pictogram requirements). 
Green Plains reviews and updates this policy 
annually.
ABOUT
GREEN PLAINS
OUR COMMITMENT
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GREEN PLAINS INC.
2022 SUSTAINABILITY REPORT
2022 Strategic Safety Initiatives
Key health and safety initiatives implemented 
by Green Plains in 2022 included:
• 6S Lean implementation across our platform
• Stop-Work Authority training 
and implementation
• Formalized communication worksheets for 
shift changes
• Standardized personal protective equipment 
(PPE) and job safety analysis (JSA) card 
locations

EMPLOYEE SAFETY TRAINING
The Green Plains Safety Training Program Matrix 
includes all OSHA-covered and related 
applicable topic areas. Our employee safety 
training consists of:
• Monthly online training
• Quarterly classroom training
• On-the-job training for all production 
employees
Production employees at each of our 11 
biorefineries must complete at least 25 hours of 
safety training each year.
2022 ACHIEVEMENTS:
Completed integration of EHSS training into 
LMS as of December 31, 2022
Consolidated and updated EHSS training 
courses specific to Green Plains
SAFETY GOALS AND EXECUTIVE 
COMPENSATION
We continued to link executive compensation to 
the achievement of safety goals in 2022, our 10th 
consecutive year of prioritizing and incentivizing 
safety in this structured manner.
Our annual incentive bonus is linked to a 
biorefinery safety goal with 11 leading and lagging 
safety and environmental metrics, including:
• OSHA and lost time injury rates
• Safety training and safety drill completion rates
• Environmental plan reviews and training
• Environmental incident and third-party 
audit closeouts
• Process safety management compliance
GREEN PLAINS PERFORMANCE DATA
TOTAL NUMBER
RATE
2022
2021
2020
2022
2021
2020
Employee fatalities as a result of work-related injury
0
0
1
0.00
0.00
0.12
Employee days away from work (DAFW) injuries
1
2
10
0.11
0.24
1.17
Employee total recordable work-related injuries and rate (TRIR) 17
22
30
1.88
2.66
3.51
Hours worked
1,807,662
1,656,538
1,710,636
*  per 200,000 hours worked
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GREEN PLAINS
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GREEN PLAINS INC.
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2022 SAFETY TRAINING GOALS:
Integrate all EHSS training with Learning 
Management System (LMS) launch

Talent Acquisition, Engagement and DE&I
Our highly skilled and valued employees are 
the linchpin of our ongoing transformation 
toward the biorefinery platform of 
the future.
Green Plains relies on top talent to execute daily 
operations across our 11 biorefineries, implement 
and leverage innovative technologies, and realize 
our Green Plains 2.0 road map.
In 2022, we launched a host of new initiatives to 
help ensure that we keep our existing talent and 
are best able to recruit additional talent as 
needed. Key initiatives included:
• Embraced new talent acquisition software 
and tools allowing us to better connect with 
talent in both a high tech and high touch 
manner
• Leveraged communications pathways to better 
reach diverse audiences, via media such as:
• Women in Agriculture (WIA)
• Radio Lobo
• El Perico
• Omaha Star
• New Era
• Enhanced our Employee Referral Program
• Structured our new employee orientation and 
associated trainings
• Created a more interactive and informative 
Careers page on our website
• Live as of January 2023
• Features mechanisms to stay engaged with 
the company via our talent community while 
also highlighting our uniqueness as an 
employer, technically and culturally
• Enhanced our talent acquisition infrastructure, 
including standardizing key components of our 
interviewing and selection systems, manager 
training and laying the groundwork for 
traineeship programs at select universities.
• The traineeship is being piloted at one of our 
top university partners that will bring 30-40 
students to one of our biorefineries, where 
the students will receive application 
exercises that they will apply to their 
classroom project, and receive course credit.
Also in 2022, we introduced additional means of 
engagement with our newest employees at Green 
Plains. This includes an internal communication 
channel, The Loop, where we have a New Hire 
channel that keeps new hires connected. This 
one-stop location contains relevant information 
on key events happening within the company and 
externally. Common topics include customer 
updates, employee recognition, benefits available 
to our employees, key events, executive insights 
and other relevant topics.
A Growing Uni-to-Green 
Plains Pipeline
In 2022, we welcomed 22 student interns who 
worked across multiple areas of our business, our 
largest intern class to date. What's more, they 
represented a significant increase from the 
previous year:
2021:
2
interns
0 interns
transitioned to full-
time employment
2022:
22
interns
4 interns 
transitioned to full-
time employment
ABOUT
GREEN PLAINS
OUR COMMITMENT
TO SUSTAINABILITY
ENVIRONMENTAL
SOCIAL
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GREEN PLAINS INC.
2022 SUSTAINABILITY REPORT
2022 Employment Type
FULL-TIME
PART-TIME
Male
716
3
Female
164
6
Total
880
9
Employee Turnover
2022
2021
2020
All Employees
30%
24%
18%
Male
80%
76%
87%
Female
20%
24%
13%
Under 30
32%
23%
34%
30-50
41%
51%
43%
Over 50
27%
26%
23%

Compensation and Benefits
Offering competitive wages and employee 
benefits is essential to attracting and 
retaining the top talent required by 
Green Plains.
2022 presented many challenges for both 
employers and employees. Among these were a 
continuation of the elevated inflation rate seen in 
2021, surpassing 7% in 2022, and a competitive 
talent market for employers. Despite these 
headwinds, Green Plains continued to provide 
competitive wage increases in 2022, in addition to 
having boosted wages by 13.5% in 2021.
We are committed to regularly analyzing credible 
salary data guides and related resources to 
remain competitive in total compensation 
packages and top-tier benefits for our employees. 
We continue to ensure competitive total rewards 
for our employees, regularly benchmarking to 
ensure attractive pay and benefit programming 
that addresses our employees' key needs.
All of our hourly employees are paid well above 
the federal minimum wage. We monitor local 
minimum wages to ensure that we are in 
compliance and paying above the higher 
applicable wage rate.
Additionally, we further upgraded our Employee 
Benefits Package in 2022 to now include:
• An enhanced wellness program that leverages 
high-tech ways to monitor physical activity and 
earn incentives
• 100% increase in paid bonding leave for 
birthing parents
• Up from 6 weeks in 2021 to 12 weeks in 2022
• Additional paid time off (PTO)
• Two new floating holidays of the 
employee’s choosing
• Pet insurance and pet wellness benefits
ABOUT
GREEN PLAINS
OUR COMMITMENT
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GREEN PLAINS INC.
2022 SUSTAINABILITY REPORT
5.21x
Ratio of average new employee wage to the federal minimum wage (2022)
401(K)
Green Plains offers a defined contribution 401(k) plan to 
interns and temporary, part-time and full-time 
employees that features 100% immediate vesting and 
matches up to 6% of eligible employee contributions 
upon hire and 8% at five years of service.
HEALTH BENEFITS
All full-time employees can enroll in the following:
•
Medical insurance coverage that offers three options
•
Dental insurance and two options for 
vision insurance
•
Voluntary supplemental medical coverages
•
Accident insurance
•
Critical illness insurance
•
Hospital indemnity insurance
•
Voluntary life and AD&D for the employee, spouse, 
and children
•
Pet wellness benefit and pet insurance
Green Plains also offers and pays for:
•
Life and AD&D for employees, spouse and children
•
Short-term disability
•
Long-term disability
Bonding leave for:
•
Birthing parent - 12 weeks 100% paid
•
Non birthing parent - 2 weeks 100% paid
EMPLOYEE WELLNESS PLAN
Employees can participate in a wellness program that 
will reward them for the steps they are already making 
toward their overall wellness and incentivize them to 
start a more healthy lifestyle. They complete tasks for 
points in the system that they can redeem for gift cards.
Corporate employees have access to an on-site wellness 
facility and are offered free weekly fitness classes.
COMPANY HOLIDAYS
New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Presidents 
Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, 
Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and two 
floating holidays of the employee’s choosing.
EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PLAN
Our Employee Assistance Plan (EAP) is available to all 
full-time employees and their dependents.
The EAP assists with matters related to:
•
Family and relationships
•
Emotional well-being
•
Financial wellness
•
Substance abuse and addiction
•
Legal assistance
•
Physical health
•
Work and career
OTHER BENEFITS
•
Flexible Spending Account (Medical and Dependent)
•
Health Savings Account
•
Travel Assistance
•
Identity Protection
•
Hearing Discount Program
Employee Benefits

To meet the need for continual learning at Green 
Plains, in 2022 we launched our new Learning 
Management System (LMS), the learning portal 
for Green Plains University, a one-stop shop for 
learning and developmental resources.
Through LMS, all employees at all levels 
can access:
• 2,700+ courses to complete compliance, 
technical skills, and professional trainings
• Courses in subject areas that include workplace 
safety, business skills, ethics, HR compliance, 
information technology (IT), cybersecurity, 
leadership and management essentials, legal 
policies and procedures, technical skills 
development, and more
Green Plains also continues to offer the following 
avenues of learning and development:
Ongoing Performance 
Feedback
• Annual goal-setting, development planning and 
ongoing feedback process in which managers 
and employees engage in ongoing discussions 
to ensure progress relative to company and 
individual objectives
• Provided to all employees
ABOUT
GREEN PLAINS
OUR COMMITMENT
TO SUSTAINABILITY
ENVIRONMENTAL
SOCIAL
GOVERNANCE
REPORTING
FRAMEWORKS
58
GREEN PLAINS INC.
2022 SUSTAINABILITY REPORT
Average Hours 
of Training
2022
2021
2020
Male
25.78
25
25
Female
25.98
25
25
Production
25.79
25
25
Corporate
1.067
0
0
Training, Learning & Career Development
Given the exacting nature of biorefinery operations, including emerging technologies and 
ESG opportunities, Green Plains invests in continual learning and career development 
programs. We offer virtual and in-person learning and development opportunities for all 
our employees.

Diversity, Equity 
and Inclusion
Green Plains believes in the value of an 
increasingly diverse, equitable and inclusive 
workplace to drive operational excellence 
and good corporate citizenship.
Our talent management system includes policies 
and programs in furtherance of workforce DE&I. 
We establish goals, and we proactively work to 
include more women and employees who 
enhance the diversity of our Green Plains family. 
Throughout 2022, we have accomplished DE&I 
objectives associated with attracting diverse 
talent. We remain on track for long-term 
development of gender balance. We acknowledge 
there is still much work to be done in the area of 
DE&I and have committed to enhancing our data 
quality and reliability related to candidate pool 
diversity metrics, with the ultimate goal to 
eventually set measurable targets to ensure that 
we have a diverse candidate pool for all of our 
open positions.
Proactive Outreach
In 2022, we continued to partner with recruiting 
and outreach networks within organizations that 
support more women and diverse candidates in 
STEM and other professional fields.
Internal Audits and 
Restructuring
Beyond recruiting efforts, Green Plains is taking a 
multi-pronged approach to translating DE&I 
aspirations and goals into on-the-ground realities. 
In 2022, we focused on starting up internal 
trainings and evolving practices to support the 
achievement of our DE&I objectives.
DE&I Training
• Developing a Learning & Development 
program to communicate the value of diversity, 
equity and inclusion and having all voices 
represented throughout the employee life cycle
• Making programs available to hiring managers 
and employees throughout Green Plains
• Providing all employees with access to equal 
training opportunities within their respective 
departments and roles
Onboarding Updates
• Began updating Green Plains onboarding and 
orientation programs and materials
• Program and materials to reflect company 
history, current strategy, company pillars, safe 
and secure practices, HR compliance, 
accounting/finance, business technologies, 
legal policies and procedures, and 
employee benefits
Job Description Audits
• Began reviewing company job descriptions to 
ensure that postings are attracting all 
potential employees
• All potential and current employees should 
understand the company mission and our 
commitment to sustainable practices
Hiring Process Improvements
• Introduced new interview and hiring training 
and practices
• Trainings and practices developed by experts 
within our business
ABOUT
GREEN PLAINS
OUR COMMITMENT
TO SUSTAINABILITY
ENVIRONMENTAL
SOCIAL
GOVERNANCE
REPORTING
FRAMEWORKS
59
GREEN PLAINS INC.
2022 SUSTAINABILITY REPORT
2023 GOAL:
Enhance the data quality and reliability of our 
candidate pool diversity metrics, to allow us 
to better track the success of our recruiting 
action plans

2022 Employee Diversity
Employees per diversity category*
Employees per 
diversity category*
2022
2021
2020
Male
719
 (80.9%) 
680
 (80.3%) 
630
 (81.1%) 
Female
170
 (19.1%) 
167
 (19.7%) 
147
 (18.9%) 
Under 30
194
 (21.8%) 
162
 (19.1%) 
133
 (17.1%) 
30-50
445
 (50.1%) 
415
 (49.0%) 
403
 (51.9%) 
Over 50
250
 (28.1%) 
270
 (31.9%) 
241
 (31.0%) 
Caucasian/White
811
 (91.2%) 
788
 (93.0%) 
726
 (93.4%) 
Hispanic/Latin 
American
26
 (2.9%) 
18
 (2.1%) 
15
 (1.9%) 
American Indian/
Alaskan Native
4
 (0.4%) 
4
 (0.5%) 
3
 (0.4%) 
Asian
12
 (1.3%) 
8
 (0.9%) 
6
 (0.8%) 
Black or African 
American
24
 (2.7%) 
23
 (2.7%) 
21
 (2.7%) 
Two or More Races
5
 (0.6%) 
4
 (0.5%) 
5
 (0.6%) 
Unspecified
7
 (0.8%) 
2
 (0.2%) 
1
 (0.1%) 
Total Employees
889
 (100.0%) 
847
 (100.0%) 
777
 (100.0%) 
* 
All of our employees are based in North America.
Employment Type
Full-time
Part-time
ABOUT
GREEN PLAINS
OUR COMMITMENT
TO SUSTAINABILITY
ENVIRONMENTAL
SOCIAL
GOVERNANCE
REPORTING
FRAMEWORKS
60
GREEN PLAINS INC.
2022 SUSTAINABILITY REPORT
19.1%
FEMALE
80.9%
MALE
21.8%
UNDER 30
50.1%
30 - 50
28.1%
OVER 50
91.2%
CAUCASIAN/
WHITE
2.9%
HISPANIC/
LATIN
AMERICAN
0.4%
AMERICAN
INDIAN/
ALASKAN
NATIVE
1.3%
ASIAN
2.7%
BLACK OR 
AFRICAN 
AMERICAN
0.6%
TWO OR
MORE RACES
0.8%
UNSPECIFIED
164
FEMALE
716
MALE
6
FEMALE
3
MALE

Customers
We have evolved from an early commodity 
business that turned corn into ethanol to a 
modern biorefinery platform that 
transforms byproducts into valuable low-
carbon coproducts in the areas of protein, 
renewable corn oil, sugar and carbon. 
Our loyal customer base includes individual 
farmers and retailers, many of whom are our 
neighbors across six U.S. states. We also sell to 
traders and international corporations in a host of 
countries. For our diversified markets, we produce 
a variety of products across our 11 biorefineries 
and three innovation centers, as depicted below, 
all with the opportunity to be truly low carbon 
due to our planned carbon-capture project.
Green Plains Trade Group, our marketing and 
distribution segment, sells and distributes 
ingredients from our 11 biorefineries. In 2022, we 
delivered 872 million gallons of renewable biofuel, 
2.3 million tons of animal feed and 282 million 
pounds of renewable corn oil to the market. We 
strive to deliver the best product at the highest 
value as safely and efficiently as possible. Delivery 
from our facilities in the Midwest to almost 
anywhere in the country is convenient, fast and 
efficient. We utilize trucks for transport to local 
markets, major U.S. rail carriers and barges to ship 
to other parts of the country and ocean vessels to 
ship internationally. Our terminals also allow us to 
deliver to blenders in previously underserved 
regions, further expanding our customer base.
Contributing to an emerging bioeconomy, our 
low-CI oils are helping customers meet the 
following U.S. and international clean-energy 
standards and laws:
• U.S. RFS
• California Air Resources Board LCFS
• Oregon Clean Fuels Program
• Washington State Clean Fuel Standard
• British Columbia’s Greenhouse Gas Reduction 
(Renewable & Low Carbon Fuel Requirements) 
Act and the Renewable & Low Carbon Fuel 
Requirements Regulation
• Canadian Clean Fuel Standard
• Brazil's RenovaBio
ABOUT
GREEN PLAINS
OUR COMMITMENT
TO SUSTAINABILITY
ENVIRONMENTAL
SOCIAL
GOVERNANCE
REPORTING
FRAMEWORKS
61
GREEN PLAINS INC.
2022 SUSTAINABILITY REPORT

Protecting Product Quality and Safety
The quality and safety of our ingredients are crucial to our customers, to food and fuel systems, 
and to us. 
Green Plains employs a range of tools and 
standards to help ensure the safety and quality of 
our products for our customers and their 
purposes: 
• First, all our products are subject to either a 
Certificate of Analysis process, testing to earn 
feed tags with guarantees, or other forms of 
quality assurance testing. 
• Further, our facilities are audited by the FDA to 
assess our compliance with Food Safety 
Modernization Act (FSMA) regulations. There 
have been no negative findings at any of our 
facilities from these FDA audits. 
• Additionally, we maintain Safety Data Sheets 
(SDS) for all of our products that record such 
information as sourcing of components, 
substances that might produce an 
environmental impact, and safe use 
and disposal.
Because product quality and safety are a 
fundamental responsibility of our business and 
integral to our success, we assess and evolve our 
assurance processes on an ongoing basis. 
In 2022, we implemented the following for all 
facilities equipped with MSC™ technology as they 
came online:
• Product Quality and Food Safety Manual 
• Quality Management System (QMS) and 
corresponding Quality Procedures
• Quality Deviation Report (QDR) and 
QDR training
• Corrective action and preventative action 
(CAPA) programs/tools and training for 
all employees
Additional product quality and safety initiatives 
accomplished in 2022 include:
• Implementing an internal audit program to 
maintain no negative findings on future FDA 
audits
• Building a database to pull testing (e.g., feed 
tags, COA) for product specifications to 
establish limits and identify out-of-
specification products
• Creating a KPI for tracking percentage of 
products meeting specifications
• Planning QDR training for all new MSC™ 
facilities coming online in 2023
ABOUT
GREEN PLAINS
OUR COMMITMENT
TO SUSTAINABILITY
ENVIRONMENTAL
SOCIAL
GOVERNANCE
REPORTING
FRAMEWORKS
62
GREEN PLAINS INC.
2022 SUSTAINABILITY REPORT

Suppliers
We strive to partner with suppliers that are, like 
Green Plains, working to advance sustainability in 
their operations and practice good corporate 
citizenship. Our choice of suppliers affects our 
larger ESG impact and potential for progress. 
Our dedicated group of suppliers, primarily based 
in North America, consistently meet the needs of 
our growing business. We do not outsource any 
significant part of our activities.
Our Code of Vendor Conduct
• Green Plains monitors our suppliers’ 
compliance with our sustainability goals 
• Green Plains assesses and screens third parties, 
including corn suppliers as of 2022
SCREENING OUR ENZYME, YEAST AND 
OTHER CHEMICAL SUPPLIERS
• 2018–2019: Majority screened using limited ESG 
criteria
• 2020: 100% screened using limited ESG criteria
• 2021: Enhanced ESG screening
• 2022: Increased watch lists and other sources 
used in screenings from 63 to 880
Our Suppliers and 
Service Providers
We rely on our strong relationships with suppliers 
and local municipalities for the following goods 
and services:
CORN
Each of our biorefineries requires on average 
approximately 30 million bushels of corn 
annually, depending on production capacity. 
We spend over 80% of our procurement 
budget on local corn suppliers, the majority of 
which are family farms. Corn is an annually 
renewable crop that captures CO2 from the 
air as it grows and sequesters it in the soil and 
in the kernel.
NATURAL GAS
Our biorefineries use approximately 29,000 
BTUs of natural gas per gallon of production. 
We have service agreements to acquire the 
natural gas we need and transport it through 
pipelines to our biorefineries.
WATER
Many of our biorefineries use groundwater, 
including one that uses recycled municipal 
water, for operations. Drinkable water is also 
obtained from the city. Local municipalities 
supply the necessary water to biorefineries 
that do not have on-site wells.
ELECTRICITY
Local utilities supply on average 
approximately 0.8 kilowatt hours of electricity 
per gallon of production to each of our 
biorefineries. Many of these utilities source a 
significant portion of their energy from 
renewable sources, like the utility that 
supplies our Superior, Iowa biorefinery, which 
is located near a wind farm.
OTHER SUPPLIERS
Enzymes, yeast, denaturant and bulk 
commodity chemicals are obtained from 
domestic suppliers.
ABOUT
GREEN PLAINS
OUR COMMITMENT
TO SUSTAINABILITY
ENVIRONMENTAL
SOCIAL
GOVERNANCE
REPORTING
FRAMEWORKS
63
GREEN PLAINS INC.
2022 SUSTAINABILITY REPORT
87.9%
CORN
5.5%
NATURAL GAS
0.1%
WATER
2.1%
ELECTRICITY
4.4%
OTHER SUPPLIERS

Communities
Giving Back: A Banner Year
In 2022, Green Plains surpassed our goal of 
increasing monetary donations by 10%-20% over 
the 2021 figure, donating $274,338 to meaningful 
causes and events. Across Green Plains, our 
people also volunteered a total of 4,004 hours, 
surpassing our stated target of 2,000 hours by 
100%. Together, we pushed beyond expectations 
to make an even greater impact in our 
communities.
We are only as successful and healthy as the 
communities where we live and work, and 2022 
was a banner year in helping to strengthen our 
communities. We volunteered at food banks, 
homeless shelters, animal shelters, youth events 
and more. In 2023, we are considering new ways 
to further encourage service to our communities, 
with more opportunities for our teams to 
volunteer together.
We continue to develop and enhance 
partnerships with organizations that support our 
strategic goals, including cleanup and 
beautification projects, youth agricultural 
organizations and events, health and safety 
entities, STEM-related events and nonprofits, rural 
schools, community disaster-recovery events, 
diversity, equity and inclusion efforts, and more.
In addition, our teams sponsor state and county 
fairs, school district events, career fairs and 
unique local partnerships. We sponsor booster 
clubs, local safety campaigns and volunteer 
firefighter appreciation events.
In 2022, we also enhanced our sponsorship 
procedures, outlining budgets for all locations and 
prioritizing local giving. In Omaha, we are the 
leading sponsor of the American Lung
2022 ACHIEVEMENT:
Monetary donations increased by 12.47% 
(vs. 2021)
Association Corporate Cup. This annual event 
raises approximately $330,000 for education, as 
well as lung disease research, support, programs 
and services. Beyond the company donation, our 
team of employees consistently ranks in the 
top-five fundraising teams across the entire event.
At Green Plains, we take our citizenship seriously 
and hold ourselves accountable as good stewards 
and good neighbors.
ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP
Further, to help protect the health and safety of 
our local communities, we evaluate the 
environmental impacts of our operations by:
• Ensuring that 100% of our operations have 
implemented environmental impact 
assessments
• Performing ongoing monitoring via EPA's Risk 
Management Program and our own Process 
Safety Management policy and procedures
CAPITAL INVESTMENT
Green Plains also supports local communities by 
contributing to rural economies and livelihoods, 
as well as into the U.S. economy as a whole.
In 2022, we continued to maintain a mutually 
beneficial relationship with local farmers, infusing 
capital into rural economies and communities 
throughout the Midwest:
• Green Plains directly infused over $1.6 billion 
into local communities near our biorefineries via 
grain purchases in 2022, including over 
$822 million in direct purchases from area 
farmers
• Green Plains' MSC™ installations have an $11 
million impact in their communities, through 
increased hotel, restaurant, entertainment and 
local contract spending 
As a whole, the biofuel industry made significant 
monetary contributions to rural communities and 
the U.S. economy in 2022:
• Directly and indirectly supported more than 
421,600 jobs in the U.S.
• Added more than $57 billion to the U.S. Gross 
Domestic Product (GDP) through annual 
operations, transportation and new project 
construction
• Provided an additional $34.8 billion to U.S. 
households through biofuel production
Source: https://ethanolrfa.org/media-and-news/
category/news-releases/article/2023/02/new-
study-ethanol-industry-s-impact-on-the-u-s-
economy-strengthened-in-2022
ABOUT
GREEN PLAINS
OUR COMMITMENT
TO SUSTAINABILITY
ENVIRONMENTAL
SOCIAL
GOVERNANCE
REPORTING
FRAMEWORKS
64
GREEN PLAINS INC.
2022 SUSTAINABILITY REPORT
2022 GOAL:
Increase monetary donations by 10-20% 
(vs. 2021)

ABOUT
GREEN PLAINS
OUR COMMITMENT
TO SUSTAINABILITY
ENVIRONMENTAL
SOCIAL
GOVERNANCE
REPORTING
FRAMEWORKS
65
GREEN PLAINS INC.
2022 SUSTAINABILITY REPORT
Governance
We shape our sustainability governance to address the 
evolving needs and opportunities of our transformation 
road map, and to help ensure the utmost accuracy and 
integrity in our work.
In 2022, we reconfigured and expanded our ESG 
leadership, and continue to enhance our climate-
related financial reporting and bolster our carbon-
assurance efforts.
OUR KEY TOPICS
page
66
Board Composition 
and Structure
page
69
Ethics and 
Compliance

Board Composition 
and Structure
Board Overview
The Green Plains Board of Directors consists of 
nine members with diverse qualifications, qualities 
and skills that support our near- and long-term 
strategies, including our ongoing transformation.
The company made a key governance 
enhancement in 2022, having been the first Iowa 
corporation of which we are aware to act on a 
change in Iowa law eliminating the requirement 
that company boards remain classified. In 
February 2022, we put forward a proposal to our 
shareholders for a vote at its Annual Meeting of 
Shareholders in May 2022 to declassify our board. 
This proposal was approved by an overwhelming 
majority of shareholders.
The declassification process is a multiyear 
initiative. All future director elections, beginning 
with the elections at our 2023 Annual Meeting of 
Shareholders, will be for one-year terms. Three 
incumbent directors up for reelection at the 2023 
Annual Meeting will serve one-year terms, 
expiring in 2024. These three directors, along with 
three incumbent directors, will be up for 
reelection at the 2024 Annual Meeting and will 
serve one-year terms, expiring in 2025. These six 
directors, along with two incumbent directors, will 
be up for reelection at the 2025 Annual Meeting 
and will serve one-year terms. This will result in 
fully declassified board elections occurring at the 
2025 Annual Meeting, where all eight members 
will be up for reelection.
We will also achieve our current goal to reduce 
the size of our board to eight members by the 
2023 Annual Meeting of Shareholders with the 
retirement of Board Chairman, Wayne Hoovestol.
ABOUT
GREEN PLAINS
OUR COMMITMENT
TO SUSTAINABILITY
ENVIRONMENTAL
SOCIAL
GOVERNANCE
REPORTING
FRAMEWORKS
66
GREEN PLAINS INC.
2022 SUSTAINABILITY REPORT
R.
NER
2022 KEY SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE
IM ANDERSON
ARHA ASLAM
ODD BECKER
WAYNE HOOVESTOL
JNAR KNUDSEN
RIAN PETERSON
J
F
T
E
B
MARTIN SALINAS, J
LAIN TREUER
A
IMBERLY WAG
K
Industrial Manufacturing & 
NDUSTRY
Ingredient Production
 
I
Commodity Markets/Marketing
 
Strategy Development
International Business
IC
TRATEG
M&A / Partnerships
S
Capital Markets
 
Audit / Risk / Cybersecurity
 
Legal / Regulatory / Govt. Relations
EADERSHIP
Public Company / Corp. 
Governance / ESG
Executive Leadership
L
Executive Compensation

2022 BOARD COMPOSITION
AND PARTICIPATION
Board of 
Directors
67%
INDEPENDENT
2022
2021
2020
Executive
11%
11%
9%
Independent
67%
67%
73%
TENURE
0-4 years
3
3
1
5-9 years
1
1
3
10+ years
5
5
7
Audit 
Committee
100%
INDEPENDENT
2022
2021
2020
Executive
0%
0%
0%
Independent
100%
100%
100%
TENURE
0-4 years
2
2
0
5-9 years
0
0
1
10+ years
1
1
3
Compensation 
Committee
100%
INDEPENDENT
2022
2021
2020
Executive
0%
0%
0%
Independent
100%
100%
100%
TENURE
0-4 years
1
1
0
5-9 years
0
0
2
10+ years
2
2
2
Nominating & 
Governance 
Committee
100%
INDEPENDENT
2022
2021
2020
Executive
0%
0%
0%
Independent
100%
100%
100%
TENURE
0-4 years
2
2
0
5-9 years
0
0
1
10+ years
1
1
3
ABOUT
GREEN PLAINS
OUR COMMITMENT
TO SUSTAINABILITY
ENVIRONMENTAL
SOCIAL
GOVERNANCE
REPORTING
FRAMEWORKS
67
GREEN PLAINS INC.
2022 SUSTAINABILITY REPORT
UNIT OF 
MEASUREMENT
2022
2021
2020
Board Meeting 
Attendance Rate
%
97%
85%
96%
EXECUTIVE 
COMPENSATION
Annual Total 
Compensation ratio 
of CEO to median 
employee
Ratio
63/1
69/1
42/1
Annual Say on Pay 
Vote
Yes/No
Yes
Yes
Yes
Results of Annual 
Say on Pay Vote
%
93%
88%
97%
93%
Results of Annual Say on Pay Vote
97%
Board Meeting Attendance Rate
3
1
5
0-4 Years
5-9 Years
10+ Years
2
0
1
0-4 Years
5-9 Years
10+ Years
1
0
2
0-4 Years
5-9 Years
10+ Years
2
0
1
0-4 Years
5-9 Years
10+ Years

The board recognizes the value of nominating 
directors who bring varying perspectives, 
opinions, skills, experiences, backgrounds and 
personal characteristics to discussion and 
decision-making. Diversity is one of several key 
factors that our Nominating and Governance 
Committee considers when identifying director 
candidates. Our Board Qualifications and Diversity 
Policy requires that each time a vacancy arises on 
the Board, the Nominating and Governance 
Committee must ensure that any search firm hired 
is instructed to provide a candidate pool that is 
comprised of at least 50% candidates that are 
women or otherwise considered diverse and at 
least 25% of the interviewed candidates are 
women or otherwise considered diverse. The 
Nominating and Governance Committee views 
diversity broadly and considers diversity of 
experience, skills and viewpoint, as well as 
traditional diversity concepts such as race/
ethnicity, gender identity or expression, national 
origin, religion and sexual orientation when 
making nominations.
Green Plains is committed to maintaining a board 
comprising diverse viewpoints and has made 
significant progress related to board diversity 
since 2020. With the addition of two new board 
members in 2021, we accomplished our goals to 
appoint two female directors and one director 
who adds diversity and reach 33% gender/
ethnically diverse board members prior to the 
2022 Annual Meeting. As part of an ongoing 
refreshment initiative, the Board has also 
appointed a lead independent director, rotated 
the leadership and adjusted the composition of its 
key committees. Jim Anderson serves as the Lead 
Independent Director. Martin Salinas, Jr. serves as 
Audit Committee Chair, Kimberly Wagner serves 
as the Nominating and Governance Committee 
Chair and Brian Peterson serves as the 
Compensation Committee Chair.
2022 BOARD DIVERSITY
ABOUT
GREEN PLAINS
OUR COMMITMENT
TO SUSTAINABILITY
ENVIRONMENTAL
SOCIAL
GOVERNANCE
REPORTING
FRAMEWORKS
68
GREEN PLAINS INC.
2022 SUSTAINABILITY REPORT
Commitment to Board Diversity
78%
22%
MALE
FEMALE
100%
0%
OVER 50
30-50
78%
11%
11%
CAUCASIAN/
WHITE
HISPANIC/LATIN
AMERICAN
ASIAN/PACIFIC
ISLANDER
PERCENTAGE OF INDIVIDUALS WITHIN OUR
HIGHEST GOVERNANCE BODY IN EACH OF
THE FOLLOWING DIVERSITY CATEGORIES
UNIT OF 
MEASUREMENT
2022
2021
2020
Gender
Male
%
78%
78%
91%
Female
%
22%
22%
9%
Age
30-50
%
0%
11%
9%
Over 50
%
100%
89%
91%
Race/Ethnicity
Caucasian/White
%
78%
78%
100%
Hispanic/Latin American
%
11%
11%
0%
Black/African American
%
0%
0%
0%
Asian/Pacific Islander
%
11%
11%
0%
American Indian/Alaskan Native
%
0%
0%
0%
Two or More Races
%
0%
0%
0%
Unspecified
%
0%
0%
0%

Green Plains has made several enhancements in 
the areas of ethics and compliance in recent 
years. Throughout 2022, we continued to 
maintain or build upon initiatives put into place in 
2021, including our Vendor Screening Program. 
The screening process utilizes 880 different watch 
lists and other data sources to search for unlawful 
business practices, including corruption, human 
rights violations, sanctions or criminal activity. At 
least 2,666 additional parties (consisting of 
prospective or new international customers, 
suppliers and other vendors) were screened in 
2022, ensuring that Green Plains was not 
conducting business with sanctioned or blocked 
counterparties. Further, all Green Plains 
employees received Ethics and Anti-Corruption 
Training and Human and Labor Rights Training 
through the company's newly launched LMS, with 
a required completion date of December 30, 
2022.
Green Plains has a robust compliance program 
modeled from guidelines and/or 
recommendations of the United States 
Department of Justice as well as the United States 
Sentencing Commission. The program includes 
approximately 163 areas of compliance that the 
company has identified as being applicable to its 
business. Each area of compliance is assigned to 
one or more Responsible Corporate Employee(s), 
who are primarily responsible for 1) maintaining a 
thorough knowledge of laws, regulations and 
guidelines applicable to their area and 2) 
implementing compliant policies and procedures 
(with support from secondary departments or 
employees as needed). Our Legal Department 
conducts audits of the compliance functions, 
choosing several primary areas to focus on each 
year. During 2022, Investor Relations and multiple 
Engineering-related areas underwent Legal 
Department audits. Findings, recommendations 
and courses of action were discussed with the 
CLAO and other key personnel as applicable.
We abide by our Code of Ethics (Code) and aim 
to operate at the highest levels of integrity and 
good corporate citizenship. The Board is 
responsible for the Code and has entrusted our 
management team with its implementation in 
satisfaction of Section 406 of the Sarbanes-Oxley 
Act of 2002. The Code:
• Prohibits employees and directors from taking 
unfair advantage of anyone through 
manipulation, concealment, abuse of privileged 
information, misrepresentation of material facts 
or any other unfair dealing practice
• Contains a Conflicts of Interest policy that 
applies to all directors and employees, and 
outlines expectations and requirements, 
including mandatory reporting. Employees and 
directors are obligated to report any potential 
conflict of interest, and they cannot personally 
take opportunities or achieve personal gain 
using company property, information or 
position. Additionally, employees and directors 
may not compete with the company in 
any manner
• Provides advice about ethical and lawful 
behavior and offers various methods for 
seeking additional information, in addition 
to summarizing certain government laws 
and regulations
Employees, customers, suppliers and the general 
public have access to a Compliance Hotline to 
report concerns about unethical or unlawful 
behavior either by telephone (844.957.2596) or 
via our online portal. This hotline is operated by a 
third party and is completely confidential. The 
CLAO and Audit Committee Chair receive all 
reports and the CLAO, or their designee, 
investigates all complaints. Every employee upon 
hire needs to acknowledge both the Code of 
Ethics and Code of Business Conduct. All new 
hires are obligated to participate in our New 
Employee Legal Orientation, where we highlight 
our corporate policies and procedures, including 
the Code of Ethics. 
ABOUT
GREEN PLAINS
OUR COMMITMENT
TO SUSTAINABILITY
ENVIRONMENTAL
SOCIAL
GOVERNANCE
REPORTING
FRAMEWORKS
69
GREEN PLAINS INC.
2022 SUSTAINABILITY REPORT
Ethics and Compliance
IN 2022 WE MADE
financial and in-kind political corporate 
contributions in the amount of $25,000 
and political action committee (PAC) 
contributions in the amount of $68,000.

Anti-Corruption Policy
We make every effort to conduct our business in 
accordance with the highest ethical standards to 
maintain the complete confidence and trust of our 
consumers, shareholders and the public. Every 
employee, officer and director is expected to 
carry out the performance of their business 
responsibilities ethically and in accordance with 
our Anti-corruption Policy.
Human and Labor Rights 
Policy
We are committed to upholding human rights 
where we operate, and this includes protecting 
and promoting labor rights of our employees and 
providing a safe work environment. We are also 
dedicated to respecting the rights of 
disadvantaged people. We monitor suppliers and 
customers for human rights violations and aim to 
create a positive impact in our communities. We 
abide by our Human and Labor Rights Policy and 
Code of Vendor Conduct, both of which prohibit 
child and forced labor at Green Plains and our 
suppliers and customers.
Cybersecurity
Cyberattacks are a leading risk and continue to 
evolve and increase in sophistication and 
frequency. Our Information Security Program 
utilizes the latest technologies to keep our 
systems secure and provide training resources to 
keep our users informed. As a key producer in the 
ag-tech space, we have the same vision for our 
cybersafety as we do for our employee health and 
safety — a vision of zero: zero incidents, zero 
breaches and zero leaks thefts or losses of 
customer data. In 2022, we maintained 0 
identified leaks, thefts or losses of customer data.
As with any operational risk, Green Plains has a 
strong governance structure around 
cybersecurity. We have a centralized IT function 
at our corporate headquarters to have clear 
visibility into how well our policies enhance 
cybersecurity. We continuously monitor for 
potential threats, perform regular tests of our 
ability to respond and recover, and conduct 
continuous assessments of our cybersecurity 
standards. To further mitigate threats, we 
collaborate with governments and regulatory 
agencies, and take part in external events to 
enhance our knowledge of the emerging threat 
landscape. We also engage independent third 
parties to audit our cybersecurity program, in 
accordance with top information security 
standards such as ISO 27001.
Cybersecurity is embedded in our organizational 
structure and overall business strategy, where the 
SLT briefs the Audit Committee about 
cybersecurity matters on a quarterly basis. The 
most senior manager responsible for 
cybersecurity matters is our Chief Financial 
Officer, who, along with our Senior Vice President 
of Business Technology, discusses the current 
state of information security with the rest of the 
SLT on a regular basis. The Board Audit 
Committee provides oversight for the 
Cybersecurity Program. We engage in response 
readiness, cybersecurity training, disaster 
recovery and business continuity considerations. 
Our cybersecurity training program is a multi-
dimensional information security learning 
experience with annual online video training 
sessions as well as ongoing dynamic and 
interactive learning exercises throughout the year 
that are designed to hone our employees' 
cybersecurity awareness and enhance our overall 
information security performance. Green Plains 
carries a broad cyber insurance policy covering 
information security risks and partners with our 
insurers for optimal transparency and 
risk mitigation. 
ABOUT
GREEN PLAINS
OUR COMMITMENT
TO SUSTAINABILITY
ENVIRONMENTAL
SOCIAL
GOVERNANCE
REPORTING
FRAMEWORKS
70
GREEN PLAINS INC.
2022 SUSTAINABILITY REPORT

page
72
Global Reporting 
Initiative (GRI)
page
81
Biofuels Standard from 
the Sustainability 
Accounting Standards 
Board (SASB)
page
83
Task Force on Climate-
Related Financial 
Disclosure (TCFD)
page
84
Alignment with United 
Nations Sustainable 
Development Goals
ABOUT
GREEN PLAINS
OUR COMMITMENT 
TO SUSTAINABILITY
ENVIRONMENTAL
SOCIAL
GOVERNANCE
REPORTING 
FRAMEWORKS
71
GREEN PLAINS INC.
2022 SUSTAINABILITY REPORT
Reporting
Frameworks
This report references certain 2021 GRI standards. We also 
disclose under the SASB Biofuels Standard and align with the 
TCFD framework and UN Sustainable Development Goals.
 
FRAMEWORKS AND STANDARDS

Global Reporting Initiative (GRI)
GRI 2: General Disclosures 2021
Disclosure Number
Disclosure Title
Response or Disclosure Location
2-1
Organizational details
Green Plains Inc.
1811 Aksarben Drive, Omaha, NE 68106
2022 Sustainability Report: About Green Plains, pages 6-7
2022 Form 10-K: Item 1: Business – Overview, page 5; Operating Segments, pages 7-11
We are a publicly traded company on the NASDAQ Stock Exchange. Our state of organization is Iowa and our 
legal form is domestic for-profit corporation.
2022 Form 10-K: Cover, page 1
2-2
Entities included in the organization’s sustainability 
reporting
2022 Form 10-K: Exhibit 21.1: Subsidiaries of the Company
2-3
Reporting period, frequency and contact point
This report covers our environmental, social and governance (ESG) data and initiatives from January 1, 2022 
through December 31, 2022, though we also share details on goals and initiatives that extend into 2023 and 
beyond.
2022 Sustainability Report: About This Report, page 3
Annual
Inquiries related to the report and its content should be directed to our sustainability team at 
sustainability@gpreinc.com. More information can also be found at www.gpreinc.com.
2022 Sustainability Report: About This Report, page 3
2-4
Restatements of information
There have been no restatements of information.
2-5
External assurance
Our current policy and practice includes seeking external assurance for certain data in our report through APEX 
Companies, LLC.
APEX Companies, LLC has assured the data as outlined in their letter.
The relationship between Green Plains Inc. and APEX is limited in scope to ESG disclosure auditing services.
There are no known conflicts of interest between Green Plains Inc. and APEX.
Senior executives, including the CEO, approved the selection of the external assurance provider.
ABOUT
GREEN PLAINS
OUR COMMITMENT
TO SUSTAINABILITY
ENVIRONMENTAL
SOCIAL
GOVERNANCE
REPORTING
FRAMEWORKS
72
GREEN PLAINS INC.
2022 SUSTAINABILITY REPORT

GRI 2: General Disclosures 2021
Disclosure Number
Disclosure Title
Response or Disclosure Location
2-6
Activities, value chain and other business relationships
2022 Sustainability Report: Letter from our Chief Executive Officer, pages 4-5; About Green Plains, pages 6-7; 
Social – Customers; Suppliers, pages 61-63
2022 Form 10-K: Item 1: Business – Overview, page 5; Operating Segments, pages 7-11; Human Capital 
Resources, page 13
Net Revenues: $3,662,849,000
Total Capitalization (Assets): $2,123,131,000
2022 Sustainability Report: Social – Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, pages 59-60
There were no significant changes to our supply chain during the reporting period that can cause or contribute
to significant economic, environmental, and social impacts. All of our corn suppliers and the majority of our other
suppliers are based out of North America and we do not outsource any significant part of our activities.
2022 Form 10-K: Item 7: Liquidity and Capital Resources, pages 43-44
2-7
Employees
2022 Sustainability Report: Social – Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, pages 59-60
2022 Form 10-K: Item 1: Business – Human Capital Resources, page 13
The data was compiled from internal employee records
2-8
Workers who are not employees
The portion of Green Plains' activities performed by workers who are not employees is not significant
2-9
Governance structure and composition
2022 Sustainability Report: Governance – Board Composition and Structure, pages 66-68
2023 Proxy Statement: Corporate Governance - Committees of the Board, page 26
2023 Proxy Statement: Proxy Summary – Board Highlights, pages 7-10; Corporate Governance – Director 
Biographical Information and Experience, pages 14-21; Corporate Governance – Leadership Structure – Diversity 
and Refreshment, page 25
2-10
Nomination and selection of the highest governance 
body
2022 Sustainability Report: Governance – Board Composition and Structure - Commitment to Board Diversity, 
page 68
2023 Proxy Statement: Corporate Governance – Director Nomination Process, page 23
2-11
Chair of the highest governance body
Board Chairman, Wayne Hoovestol is a non-executive director.
2023 Proxy Statement: Corporate Governance – Leadership Structure, page 24
ABOUT
GREEN PLAINS
OUR COMMITMENT
TO SUSTAINABILITY
ENVIRONMENTAL
SOCIAL
GOVERNANCE
REPORTING
FRAMEWORKS
73
GREEN PLAINS INC.
2022 SUSTAINABILITY REPORT

GRI 2: General Disclosures 2021
Disclosure Number
Disclosure Title
Response or Disclosure Location
2-12
Role of the highest governance body in overseeing the 
management of impacts
2022 Sustainability Report: Our Commitment to Sustainability – Stakeholder Engagement and Key ESG Topics, 
page 12; ESG and Climate Change Governance, pages 10-11
Pursuant to its charter, the Nominating and Governance Committee oversees ESG topics, including the 
development, approval and updating of the Company’s ESG purpose, mission statements, strategies, policies 
and goals.
2023 Proxy Statement: Corporate Governance – Board Oversight, pages 29-32
2023 Proxy Statement: Corporate Governance – Board Oversight – Risk Oversight, page 29
2-13
Delegation of responsibility for managing impacts
2022 Sustainability Report: Our Commitment to Sustainability – ESG and Climate Change Governance, pages 
10-11
2-14
Role of the highest governance body in sustainability 
reporting
The Nominating and Governance Committee is responsible for the review and approval of our ESG reporting, 
including this Sustainability Report.
2022 Sustainability Report: Our Commitment to Sustainability – ESG and Climate Change Governance, pages 
10-11
2-15
Conflicts of interest
2022 Sustainability Report: Governance – Ethics and Compliance, pages 69-70
Code of Ethics
Code of Business Ethics and Conduct
2-16
Communication of critical concerns
2022 Sustainability Report: Governance – Ethics and Compliance, pages 69-70
2023 Proxy Statement: Corporate Governance – Other Governance Principles – Communications with the Board, 
page 35
2-17
Collective knowledge of the highest governance body
2022 Sustainability Report: Governance – Board Composition and Structure, pages 66-68
2023 Proxy Statement: Proxy Summary – Board Highlights – Board Snapshot – Skills and Experience, pages 8-10
2-18
Evaluation of the performance of the highest 
governance body
Corporate Governance Guidelines: Annual Performance Evaluation of the Board, page 3
2-19
Remuneration policies
2022 Sustainability Report: Our Commitment to Sustainability – ESG and Climate Change Governance, pages 
10-11
2023 Proxy Statement: Corporate Governance – Compensation of Directors, page 36; Executive Compensation – 
Compensation Discussion and Analysis, pages 44-65
2-20
Process to determine remuneration
2023 Proxy Statement: Corporate Governance – Investor Engagement, page 32; Compensation of 
Directors, page 36; Executive Compensation – Compensation Discussion and Analysis, pages 44-65
ABOUT
GREEN PLAINS
OUR COMMITMENT
TO SUSTAINABILITY
ENVIRONMENTAL
SOCIAL
GOVERNANCE
REPORTING
FRAMEWORKS
74
GREEN PLAINS INC.
2022 SUSTAINABILITY REPORT

GRI 2: General Disclosures 2021
Disclosure Number
Disclosure Title
Response or Disclosure Location
2-21
Annual total compensation ratio
2022 Sustainability Report: Governance – Board Composition and Structure – 2022 Board Composition and 
Participation, page 67
2023 Proxy Statement: Executive Compensation – CEO Pay Ratio, page 77
2-22
Statement on sustainable development strategy
2022 Sustainability Report: Letter from our Chief Executive Officer, pages 4-5
2-23
Policy commitments
Although we do not currently apply the Precautionary Principle or approach, as defined by the 'Rio Declaration 
on Environment and Development', in our operational risk management planning or when we develop and 
introduce new products, we do consider potential environmental issues including whether the proposed 
operation or product could pose a serious threat of irreversible environmental damage.
2022 Sustainability Report: About Green Plains – Our Principles and Values, page 8
2-25
Processes to remediate negative impacts
2022 Sustainability Report: Governance, pages 65-70
2-26
Mechanisms for seeking advice and raising concerns
2022 Sustainability Report: Governance – Ethics and Compliance, pages 69-70
2023 Proxy Statement: Corporate Governance - Other Governance Principles - Code of Ethics and Other 
Policies, page 34
2-27
Compliance with laws and regulations
2022 Sustainability Report: Environmental – Waste, Circularity and Environmental Compliance, pages 49-50
2-28
Membership associations
2022 Sustainability Report: About Green Plains – Awards and Memberships, page 7
2-29
Approach to stakeholder engagement
2022 Sustainability Report: Stakeholder Engagement and Key ESG Topics, page 12
We engage with stakeholder groups based on an analysis of our business impacts.
2-30
Collective bargaining agreements
None
GRI 3: Material Topics 2021
Disclosure Number
Disclosure Title
Response or Disclosure Location
3-1
Process to determine material topics
2022 Sustainability Report: About This Report, page 3; Our Commitment to Sustainability – Stakeholder 
Engagement and Key ESG Topics, page 12
3-2
List of material topics
2022 Sustainability Report: Stakeholder Engagement and Key ESG Topics, page 12; Our Commitment to 
Sustainability – ESG Highlights, pages 21-26
No significant changes in the list of key ESG topics or topic boundaries.
ABOUT
GREEN PLAINS
OUR COMMITMENT
TO SUSTAINABILITY
ENVIRONMENTAL
SOCIAL
GOVERNANCE
REPORTING
FRAMEWORKS
75
GREEN PLAINS INC.
2022 SUSTAINABILITY REPORT

GRI 3: Material Topics 2021
Disclosure Number
Disclosure Title
Response or Disclosure Location
3-3
Management of material topics
Although we do not currently apply the Precautionary Principle or approach, as defined by the 'Rio Declaration 
on Environment and Development', in our operational risk management planning or when we develop and 
introduce new products, we do consider potential environmental issues including whether the proposed 
operation or product could pose a serious threat of irreversible environmental damage.
The environmental data within this report, with the exception of the GHG emissions inventory, is limited to the 
biorefinery production segment of our operations, including our biorefining facilities. The GHG emissions 
inventory covers all relevant GHG emissions, from all relevant sources and subsidiaries. The boundary coverage 
for scope 1 and 2 emissions is 99.69% and the boundary coverage for scope 3 emissions is 100%.
The social and governance data in this report is enterprise-wide.
2022 Sustainability Report: About this Report, page 3; Our Commitment to Sustainability, pages 9-26; 
Environmental section, pages 27-50; Social section, pages 51-64; Governance section, pages 65-70
200
Economic topics
201
 Economic Performance 2016
201-2
Financial implications and other risks and opportunities 
due to climate change
2022 Sustainability Report: Environmental – Climate Change and GHG Emissions, pages 28-38
2022 Form 10-K: Item 1A: Risk Factors, pages 13-28
202
Market Presence 2016
202-1
Ratios of standard entry level wage by gender 
compared to local minimum wage
All of our hourly employees are paid well above the federal minimum wage, and we monitor local minimum 
wages to ensure we are complying and are paying above the higher applicable wage rate.
2022 Sustainability Report: Social – Employees – Talent Acquisition, Engagement and DE&I – Compensation and 
Benefits, page 57
203
Indirect Economic Impacts 2016
203-1
Infrastructure investments and services supported
2022 Sustainability Report: Social – Communities, page 64
203-2
Significant indirect economic impacts
2022 Sustainability Report: Social – Communities, page 64
204
Procurement Practices 2016
204-1
Proportion of spending on local suppliers
2022 Sustainability Report: Environmental — Natural Capital and Land Stewardship, pages 45-48; Social – 
Suppliers, page 63
205
Anti-corruption 2016
205-1
Operations assessed for risks related to corruption
Anti-Corruption Policy, Scope, page 1
205-2
Communication and training about anti-corruption 
policies and procedures
Green Plains Board receives annual compliance updates
Anti-Corruption Policy, Scope, pages 1 and 6
ABOUT
GREEN PLAINS
OUR COMMITMENT
TO SUSTAINABILITY
ENVIRONMENTAL
SOCIAL
GOVERNANCE
REPORTING
FRAMEWORKS
76
GREEN PLAINS INC.
2022 SUSTAINABILITY REPORT

GRI 3: Material Topics 2021
Disclosure Number
Disclosure Title
Response or Disclosure Location
205-3
Confirmed incidents of corruption and actions taken
2022 Sustainability Report: Governance – Ethics and Compliance – Anti-Corruption Policy, page 70
206
Anti-competitive Behavior 2016
206-1
 Legal actions for anti-competitive behavior, anti-trust, 
and monopoly practices
2022 Sustainability Report: Governance – Ethics and Compliance – Anti-Corruption Policy, page 70
300
Environmental topics
301
Materials 2016
301-1
Materials used by weight or volume
Our products are almost completely absent of any packaging.
2022 Sustainability Report: About Green Plains — Our Business, pages 6-7; Environmental – Waste, Circularity 
and Environmental Compliance, pages 49-50; Social – Suppliers, page 63
302
Energy 2016
302-1
Energy consumption within the organization
2022 Sustainability Report: Environmental – Energy Use and Efficiency, pages 39-41
302-2
Energy consumption outside of the organization
2022 Sustainability Report: Environmental – Energy Use and Efficiency, pages 39-41
302-3
Energy intensity
2022 Sustainability Report: Environmental – Energy Use and Efficiency, pages 39-41
302-4
Reduction of energy consumption
2022 Sustainability Report: Our Commitment to Sustainability — ESG Highlights, pages 21-26; Environmental – 
Energy Use and Efficiency, pages 39-41
303
Water and Effluents 2018
303-1
Interactions with water as a shared resource
2022 Sustainability Report: Environmental – Water Management, pages 42-44
303-2
Management of water discharge-related impacts
2022 Sustainability Report: Environmental – Water Management, pages 42-44
303-3
Water withdrawal
2022 Sustainability Report: Environmental – Water Management, pages 42-44
303-4
Water discharge
2022 Sustainability Report: Environmental – Water Management, pages 42-44
303-5
Water consumption
2022 Sustainability Report: Environmental – Water Management, pages 42-44
304
Biodiversity 2016
304-1
Operational sites owned, leased, managed in, or 
adjacent to, protected areas and areas of high 
biodiversity value outside protected areas
2022 Sustainability Report: Environmental – Natural Capital and Land Stewardship – pages 45-48
304-2
Significant impacts of activities, products and services 
on biodiversity
2022 Sustainability Report: Environmental – Natural Capital and Land Stewardship – pages 45-48
304-3
Habitats protected or restored
2022 Sustainability Report: Environmental – Natural Capital and Land Stewardship – pages 45-48
ABOUT
GREEN PLAINS
OUR COMMITMENT
TO SUSTAINABILITY
ENVIRONMENTAL
SOCIAL
GOVERNANCE
REPORTING
FRAMEWORKS
77
GREEN PLAINS INC.
2022 SUSTAINABILITY REPORT

GRI 3: Material Topics 2021
Disclosure Number
Disclosure Title
Response or Disclosure Location
305
Emissions 2016
305-1
Direct (Scope 1) GHG emissions
2022 Sustainability Report: Environmental – Climate Change and GHG Emissions, pages 28-38
305-2
Energy indirect (Scope 2) GHG emissions
2022 Sustainability Report: Environmental – Climate Change and GHG Emissions, pages 28-38
305-3
Other indirect (Scope 3) GHG emissions
2022 Sustainability Report: Environmental – Climate Change and GHG Emissions, pages 28-38
305-4
GHG emissions intensity
2022 Sustainability Report: Environmental – Climate Change and GHG Emissions, pages 28-38
305-5
Reduction of GHG emissions
2022 Sustainability Report: Environmental – Climate Change and GHG Emissions, pages 28-38
305-7
Nitrogen oxides (NOₓ), sulfur oxides (SOₓ), and other 
significant air emissions
2022 Sustainability Report: Environmental – Climate Change and GHG Emissions, pages 28-38
306
Waste 2020
306-1
Waste generation and significant waste-related impacts
2022 Sustainability Report: Environmental – Waste, Circularity and Environmental Compliance, pages 49-50
306-2
Management of significant waste-related impacts
2022 Sustainability Report: Environmental – Waste, Circularity and Environmental Compliance, pages 49-50
306-3
Waste generated
2022 Sustainability Report: Environmental – Waste, Circularity and Environmental Compliance, pages 49-50
307
Environmental Compliance 2016
307-1
Non-compliance with environmental laws and 
regulations
2022 Sustainability Report: Environmental – Waste, Circularity and Environmental Compliance, pages 49-50
400
Social topics
401
Employment 2016
401-1
New employee hires and employee turnover
2022 Sustainability Report: Social – Talent Acquisition, Engagement and DE&I page 56
401-2
Benefits provided to full-time employees that are not 
provided to temporary or part-time employees
2022 Sustainability Report: Social – Talent Acquisition, Engagement and DE&I – Compensation & Benefits, pages 
57
401-3
Parental leave
2022 Sustainability Report: Social – Talent Acquisition, Engagement and DE&I – Compensation & Benefits, pages 
57
403
Occupational Health and Safety 2018
403-1
Occupational health and safety management system
2022 Sustainability Report: Social – Employee Health and Safety – Occupational Health & Safety Management 
System, page 53
403-2
Hazard identification, risk assessment, and incident 
investigation
2022 Sustainability Report: Social – Employee Health and Safety, pages 52-55
403-3
Occupational health services
2022 Sustainability Report: Social – Employee Health and Safety, pages 52-55
ABOUT
GREEN PLAINS
OUR COMMITMENT
TO SUSTAINABILITY
ENVIRONMENTAL
SOCIAL
GOVERNANCE
REPORTING
FRAMEWORKS
78
GREEN PLAINS INC.
2022 SUSTAINABILITY REPORT

GRI 3: Material Topics 2021
Disclosure Number
Disclosure Title
Response or Disclosure Location
403-4
Worker participation, consultation, and communication 
on occupational health and safety
2022 Sustainability Report: Social – Employee Health and Safety, pages 52-55
403-5
Worker training on occupational health and safety
2022 Sustainability Report: Social – Employee Health and Safety, pages 52-55
403-6
Promotion of worker health
2022 Sustainability Report: Social – Employee Health and Safety, pages 52-55
403-7
Prevention and mitigation of occupational health and 
safety impacts directly linked by business relationships
2022 Sustainability Report: Social – Employee Health and Safety, pages 52-55
403-8
Workers covered by an occupational health and safety 
management system
2022 Sustainability Report: Social – Employee Health and Safety, pages 52-55
403-9
Work-related injuries
2022 Sustainability Report: Social – Employee Health and Safety, pages 52-55
404
Training and Education 2016
404-1
Average hours of training per year per employee
2022 Sustainability Report: Social – Training, Learning and Career Development, page 58
404-2
Programs for upgrading employee skills and transition 
assistance programs
2022 Sustainability Report: Social – Training, Learning and Career Development, page 58
404-3
Percentage of employees receiving regular performance 
and career development reviews
2022 Sustainability Report: Social – Training, Learning and Career Development, page 58
405
Diversity and Equal Opportunity 2016
405-1
Diversity of governance bodies and employees
2022 Sustainability Report: Social – Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, pages 59-60; Governance – Board 
Composition and Structure – 2022 Board Diversity, page 68
408
Child Labor 2016
408-1
Operations and suppliers at significant risk for incidents 
of child labor
Green Plains does not permit the employment of underage children in our workforce or the use of forced or 
compulsory labor in any of our operations.
Human and Labor Rights Policy
409
Forced or Compulsory Labor 2016
409-1
Operations and suppliers at significant risk for incidents 
of forced or compulsory labor
Green Plains does not permit the employment of underage children in our workforce or the use of forced or 
compulsory labor in any of our operations.
Human and Labor Rights Policy
410
Security Practices 2016
410-1
Security personnel trained in human rights policies or 
procedures
All security personnel hired are required to attend formal training relating to our Human and Labor Rights Policy.
413
Local Communities 2016
ABOUT
GREEN PLAINS
OUR COMMITMENT
TO SUSTAINABILITY
ENVIRONMENTAL
SOCIAL
GOVERNANCE
REPORTING
FRAMEWORKS
79
GREEN PLAINS INC.
2022 SUSTAINABILITY REPORT

GRI 3: Material Topics 2021
Disclosure Number
Disclosure Title
Response or Disclosure Location
413-1
Operations with local community engagement, impact 
assessments, and development programs
2022 Sustainability Report: Our Commitment to Sustainability — ESG Highlights, pages 21-26; Social – 
Communities, page 64
414
Supplier Social Assessment 2016
414-1
New suppliers that were screened using social criteria
2022 Sustainability Report: Social – Suppliers, page 63; Governance – Ethics and Compliance, page 69
414-2
Negative social impacts in the supply chain and actions 
taken
2022 Sustainability Report: Social – Suppliers, page 63; Governance – Ethics and Compliance, pages 69-70
415
Public Policy 2016
415-1
Political contributions
2022 Sustainability Report: Governance – Ethics and Compliance, page 69
416
Customer Health and Safety 2016
416-1
Assessment of the health and safety impacts of product 
and service categories
We ensure the health and safety of our customers by guaranteeing that 100% of our products are subject to 
either a Certificate of Analysis process, feed tag with guarantee or another type of quality assurance document.
2022 Sustainability Report: Social – Customers, pages 61-62
416-2
Incidents of non-compliance concerning the health and 
safety impacts of products and services
Our facilities continue to perform well during audits by the FDA regarding compliance with the Food Safety 
Modernization Act (FSMA) regulation, with no facilities receiving negative findings.
2022 Sustainability Report: Social – Customers, pages 61-62
418
Customer Privacy 2016
418-1
Substantiated complaints concerning breaches of 
customer privacy and losses of customer data
In 2022, we have not had any identified leaks, thefts or losses of customer data.
2022 Sustainability Report: Governance – Ethics and Compliance – Cybersecurity, page 70
ABOUT
GREEN PLAINS
OUR COMMITMENT
TO SUSTAINABILITY
ENVIRONMENTAL
SOCIAL
GOVERNANCE
REPORTING
FRAMEWORKS
80
GREEN PLAINS INC.
2022 SUSTAINABILITY REPORT

Biofuels Standard from the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB)
Topic
Metrics
Category
Unit of Measure
Code
Answer, Cross-Reference, Omissions and 
Explanations
Location
Air Quality
Air emissions of the following pollutants: (1) 
NOx (excluding N2O), (2) SOx, (3) volatile 
organic compounds (VOCs), (4) particulate 
matter (PM10), and (5) hazardous air 
pollutants (HAPs)
Quantitative
Metric tons (t)
RR-
BI-120a.1
Yes, except (5) hazardous air pollutants 
(HAPs)
2022 Sustainability Report: 
Environmental – Climate Change 
and GHG Emissions, page 38
Number of incidents of non-compliance 
associated with air quality permits, 
standards, and regulations
Quantitative
Number
RR-
BI-120a.2
161 incidents
2022 Sustainability Report: 
Environmental – Climate Change 
and GHG Emissions, page 38
Water 
Management 
in 
Manufacturing
(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 (%)
RR-
BI-140a.1
Yes, except (2), percentage of each in 
regions with High or Extremely High 
Baseline Water Stress
2022 Sustainability Report: 
Environmental – Water 
Management, pages 42-44
Description of water management risks and 
discussion of strategies and practices to 
mitigate those risks
Discussion 
and 
Analysis
n/a
RR-
BI-140a.2
We currently do not have any known 
significant water-related impacts 
identified by local authorities or other 
stakeholders.
2022 Sustainability Report: 
Environmental – Water 
Management, pages 42-44
Number of incidents of non-compliance 
associated with water quality permits, 
standards, and regulations
Quantitative
Number
RR-
BI-140a.3
7
2022 Sustainability Report: 
Environmental – Water 
Management, page 44
Lifecycle 
Emissions 
Balance
Lifecycle greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, 
by biofuel type
Quantitative
Grams of CO2-e 
per megajoule 
(MJ)
RR-
BI-410a.1
Discloses Scope 1, Scope 2 and Scope 3 
GHG emissions as well as lifecycle GHG 
emissions
2022 Sustainability Report: 
Environmental – Climate Change 
and GHG Emissions, pages 28-38
Sourcing & 
Environmental 
Impacts of 
Feedstock 
Production
Discussion of strategy to manage risks 
associated with environmental impacts of 
feedstock production
Discussion 
and 
Analysis
n/a
RR-
BI-430a.1
Yes, under Natural Capital and Land 
Stewardship section
2022 Sustainability Report: 
Environmental – Natural Capital 
and Land Stewardship, pages 
45-48
Percentage of biofuel production third-
party certified to an environmental 
sustainability standard
Quantitative
Percentage (%) 
of gallons
RR-
BI-430a.2
All of our biorefinery locations are 
registered as Renewable Fuel 
Producers with the U.S. Environmental 
Protection Agency (EPA) and meet the 
requirements for the Renewable Fuel 
Standard (Title 40 CFR Part 80). 
Additionally, 100% of the denatured 
biofuel we produce is RFS compliant.
2022 Sustainability Report: 
Environmental – Waste, 
Circularity and Environmental 
Compliance, pages 49-50
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TOPIC
METRICS
CATEGORY
UNIT OF MEASURE
CODE
ANSWER, CROSS-REFERENCE, OMISSIONS 
AND EXPLANATIONS
LOCATION
Management 
of the Legal & 
Regulatory 
Environment
Amount of subsidies received through 
government programs
Quantitative
Reporting 
currency
RR-
BI-530a.1
Discussion of corporate positions related to 
government regulations and/or policy 
proposals that address environmental and 
social factors affecting the industry
Discussion 
and 
Analysis
n/a
RR-
BI-530a.2
2022 Form 10-K: Item 1: Business 
– Regulatory Matters, pages 
12-13; Item 1A: Risk Factors – 
Risks Related to our Business 
and Industry, pages 13-28
Operational 
Safety, 
Emergency 
Preparedness 
& Response
Process Safety Incidents Count (PSIC), 
Process Safety Total Incident Rate (PSTIR), 
and Process Safety Incident Severity Rate 
(PSISR)
Quantitative
Number, Rate
RR-
BI-540a.1
There were no Process Safety Incidents 
in 2022
2022 Sustainability Report: 
Social – Employee Health and 
Safety, page 52
Activity Metrics
Biofuel production capacity
Quantitative
Millions of 
gallons (Mgal)
RR-
BI-000.A
958,000,000 gallons renewable biofuel 
production capacity
2022 Sustainability Report: 
About Green Plains – Our 
Business, page 7
Production of: (1) renewable fuel, (2) 
advanced biofuel, (3) biomass-based 
diesel, and (4) cellulosic biofuel
Quantitative
Millions of 
gallons (Mgal)
RR-
BI-000.B
872,133,000 gallons sold in 2022
2022 Sustainability Report: 
About Green Plains – Our 
Business, page 7
Amount of feedstock consumed in 
production
Quantitative
Metric tons (t)
RR-
BI-000.C
301,868,000 bushels of corn consumed 
in 2022
2022 Sustainability Report: 
About Green Plains – Our 
Business, page 7
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Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosure (TCFD)
Topic
Recommended Disclosure
Response or Location
Governance: Disclose the organization’s governance 
around climate-related risks and opportunities.
a. Describe the board’s oversight of climate-related risks and 
opportunities.
2022 Sustainability Report: Our Commitment to 
Sustainability – ESG and Climate Change Governance, pages 
10-11; Environmental – Climate Change and GHG Emissions, 
page 30
2023 Proxy Statement: Corporate Governance – Board 
Oversight – ESG and Sustainability Oversight, pages 31-32
b. Describe management’s role in assessing and managing 
climate-related risks and opportunities.
2022 Sustainability Report: Our Commitment to 
Sustainability – ESG and Climate Change Governance, pages 
10-11; Environmental – Climate Change and GHG Emissions, 
page 30
Strategy: Disclose the actual and potential impacts of 
climate-related risks and opportunities on the 
organization’s businesses, strategy, and financial planning 
where such information is material.
a. Describe the climate-related risks and opportunities the 
organization has identified over the short, medium, and long 
term.
2022 Sustainability Report: Environmental – Climate Change 
and GHG Emissions, pages 30-33
b. Describe the impact of climate-related risks and 
opportunities on the organization’s businesses, strategy, and 
financial planning.
2022 Sustainability Report: Environmental – Climate Change 
and GHG Emissions, pages 30-36
c. Describe the resilience of the organization’s strategy, 
taking into consideration different climate-related scenarios, 
including a 2°C or lower scenario.
2022 Sustainability Report: Environmental – Climate Change 
and GHG Emissions, pages 30-36
Risk Management: Disclose how the organization identifies, 
assesses, and manages climate-related risks.
a. Describe the organization’s processes for identifying and 
assessing climate-related risks.
2022 Sustainability Report: Environmental – Climate Change 
and GHG Emissions, page 30
b. Describe the organization’s processes for managing 
climate-related risks.
2022 Sustainability Report: Environmental – Climate Change 
and GHG Emissions, pages 28-36
c. Describe how processes for identifying, assessing, and 
managing climate-related risks are integrated into the 
organization’s overall risk management.
2022 Sustainability Report: Environmental – Climate Change 
and GHG Emissions, pages 30-33; Our Commitment to 
Sustainability – ESG and Climate Change Governance, pages 
10-11
Metrics and Targets: Disclose the metrics and targets used 
to assess and manage relevant climate-related risks and 
opportunities where such information is material.
a. Disclose the metrics used by the organization to assess 
climate-related risks and opportunities in line with its 
strategy and risk management process.
2022 Sustainability Report: Environmental – Climate Change 
and GHG Emissions, pages 28-29 & 36-37
b. Disclose Scope 1, Scope 2 and, if appropriate, Scope 3 
greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and the related risks.
2022 Sustainability Report: Environmental – Climate Change 
and GHG Emissions, page 37
c. Describe the targets used by the organization to manage 
climate-related risks and opportunities and performance 
against targets.
2022 Sustainability Report: Environmental – Climate Change 
and GHG Emissions, pages 28-29 & 36-37
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Alignment with United Nations
Sustainable Development Goals
Our commitment to sustainability is ingrained in our operations and culture. Not only have we set meaningful and actionable goals 
for ourselves, but we hold our partners and suppliers to the same standards of equality, responsibility and accountability.
The United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a guide to our sustainability efforts, and several of our 
initiatives and goals support the principles of the UN SDGs.
Using the SDGs as a guide further helps Green Plains to positively impact communities here and around the world.
GOAL
TARGETS AND INDICATORS
GREEN PLAINS ALIGNMENT
End hunger, achieve food
security and improved
nutrition and promote
sustainable agriculture
2.4    By 2030, ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient 
agricultural practices that increase productivity and production, that help maintain 
ecosystems, that strengthen capacity for adaptation to climate change, extreme 
weather, drought, flooding and other disasters and that progressively improve land 
and soil quality
2.4.1  Proportion of agricultural area under productive and sustainable agriculture
100% sustainably-sourced primary 
feedstock by 2030
Ensure inclusive and
equitable quality
education and promote
lifelong learning
opportunities for all
4.3    By 2030, ensure equal access for all women and men to affordable and quality 
technical, vocational and tertiary education, including university
4.3.1  Participation rate of youth and adults in formal and non-formal education and 
training in the previous 12 months, by sex
Tracking average hours of training
per year for men, women, production
and corporate employees. Launched a
Learning Management System in 2022
to increase participation.
Ensure availability and
sustainable management
of water and sanitation
for all
6.4   By 2030, substantially increase water-use efficiency across all sectors and ensure 
sustainable withdrawals and supply of freshwater to address water scarcity and 
substantially reduce the number of people suffering from water scarcity
6.4.1  Change in water-use efficiency over time
Reduce water intensity 10% by 2025
over 2021 baseline
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GOAL
TARGETS AND INDICATORS
GREEN PLAINS ALIGNMENT
Ensure access to
affordable, reliable,
sustainable and modern
energy for all
7.2    By 2030, increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix
7.2.1   Renewable energy share in the total final energy consumption
7.3    By 2030, double the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency
7.3.1  Energy intensity measured in terms of primary energy and GDP
7.a    By 2030, enhance international cooperation to facilitate access to clean energy 
research and technology, including renewable energy, energy efficiency and advanced 
and cleaner fossil-fuel technology, and promote investment in energy infrastructure and 
clean energy technology
Contribute to the production of low 
carbon-intensity renewable diesel via a 
50% increase in average renewable corn 
oil yield by 2025 over 2020 baseline
Goal to reduce natural gas intensity 
(MMBtu/Raw Material MT) 2% per year 
through 2026
Partnering with United Airlines and 
Tallgrass to develop ATJ SAF using 
advanced PNNL technology
Partnering with Osaka Gas USA and 
Tallgrass to study the feasibility of 
synthetic methane production from low-
carbon hydrogen and biogenic CO2
Promote sustained, 
inclusive and sustainable 
economic growth, full and 
productive employment 
and decent work for all 
8.4    Improve progressively, through 2030, global resource efficiency in consumption and 
production and endeavor to decouple economic growth from environmental 
degradation, in accordance with the 10-Year Framework of Programs on Sustainable 
Consumption and Production, with developed countries taking the lead
8.4.1   Material footprint, material footprint per capita, and material footprint per GDP
8.8    Protect labor rights and promote safe and secure working environments for all workers, 
including migrant workers, in particular women migrants, and those in 
precarious employment
8.8.1   Fatal and non-fatal occupational injuries per 100,000 workers, by sex and 
migrant status
8.8.2  Level of national compliance with labor rights (freedom of association and 
collective bargaining) based on International Labor Organization (ILO) textual 
sources and national legislation, by sex and migrant status
Products derived from renewable 
biomass and currently tracking carbon 
footprint of multiple products (biofuel, 
high-protein, renewable corn oil) with a 
carbon reduction strategy in place to 
work toward improved resource 
effciency
Goal to reduce OSHA TRIR by 35% by 
2025 compared to 2020 baseline
Enhanced Human and Labor Rights 
Policy adopted in May 2021 with goal to 
have, by 2022, 100% of Green Plains 
employees trained on Code of Ethics, 
Anti-Corruption and Human and Labor 
Rights policies
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GOAL
TARGETS AND INDICATORS
GREEN PLAINS ALIGNMENT
Build resilient 
infrastructure, promote 
inclusive and sustainable 
industrialization and 
foster innovation
9.2    Promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and, by 2030, significantly raise 
industry’s share of employment and gross domestic product, in line with national 
circumstances, and double its share in least developed countries
9.2.1   Manufacturing value added as a proportion of GDP and per capita
9.2.2  Manufacturing employment as a proportion of total employment
9.4    By 2030, upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable, with 
increased resource-use efficiency and greater adoption of clean and environmentally 
sound technologies and industrial processes, with all countries taking action in 
accordance with their respective capabilities
9.4.1  CO2 emission per unit of value added
5 Sustainable Technology Installations 
(MSC high protein) with clean sugar 
(CST) construction underway in 2023
Multiple goals to raise inclusive share of 
employment in manufacturing:
•
Increase the number of female 
employees 25% from 2020 numbers 
by 2030
•
Increased the number of employees
who add diversity to our workforce by 
more than 15% from 2020 numbers, 
partially ACHIEVING our 2030 goal 
•
2022 short term target to increase 
culturally diverse hires by 2% and an 
increase in women hiring by 4% over 
2021
Carbon reduction strategy under 
development with goal to reduce our 
operational GHG emissions intensity 
16.5% by 2026 compared to a 2020 
baseline
Ensure sustainable 
consumption and 
production patterns
12.2   By 2030, achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources
12.2.1  Material footprint, material footprint per capita, and material footprint per GDP
12.4   By 2020, achieve the environmentally sound management of chemicals and all wastes 
throughout their life cycle, in accordance with agreed international frameworks, and 
significantly reduce their release to air, water and soil in order to minimize their 
adverse impacts on human health and the environment 
12.4.2 (a) Hazardous waste generated per capita; and (b) proportion of hazardous 
waste treated, by type of treatment
12.5   By 2030, substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, 
recycling and reuse
12.5.1  National recycling rate, tons of material recycled
12.6   Encourage companies, especially large and transnational companies, to adopt 
sustainable practices and to integrate sustainability information into their reporting 
cycle
12.6.1 Number of companies publishing sustainability reports
Products derived from renewable 
biomass and currently tracking carbon 
footprint of multiple products (biofuel, 
high-protein, renewable corn oil) with a 
carbon reduction strategy in place to 
work toward improved resource 
efficiency
Currently tracking and publishing all 
hazardous waste generated and 
developing active waste management 
plan in support of our zero waste goal.
Finalized our corporate recycling 
program plan with planned initiation of 
phase I in 2023 and established new 
goal: Zero waste to landfill by 2030
Published 3rd annual Sustainability 
Report with commitment to continue 
reporting on sustainability efforts
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GOAL
TARGETS AND INDICATORS
GREEN PLAINS ALIGNMENT
Take urgent action to 
combat climate change 
and its impacts
13.2   Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning
13.2.2 Total greenhouse gas emissions per year
Climate disclosure aligned with TCFD 
framework, tracking and publishing of 
GHG emissions (Scopes 1, 2, 3 and 
biogenic) as well as science-based 
targets of 37.8% reduction in Scopes 1 & 
2 and 22.5% reduction in Scope 3 GHG 
emissions from 2021 baseline by 2030 
and a 100% reduction in operational GHG 
emissions by 2050 from a 2018 baseline
Conserve and sustainably 
use the oceans, seas and 
marine resources for 
sustainable development
14.4   By 2020, effectively regulate harvesting and end overfishing, illegal, unreported and 
unregulated fishing and destructive fishing practices and implement science-based 
management plans, in order to restore fish stocks in the shortest time feasible, at least 
to levels that can produce maximum sustainable yield as determined by their biological 
characteristics
14.4.1 Proportion of fish stocks within biologically sustainable levels
Developing high-protein plant-based 
feed ingredients currently being tested in 
our aquafeed formulations and could 
potentially partially replace fishmeal in 
fish feed formulations. Fishmeal is a 
significant contributor to overfishing 
our oceans
Protect, restore and  
promote sustainable use 
of terrestrial ecosystems, 
sustainably manage 
forests, combat 
desertification, and halt 
and reverse land 
degradation and halt 
biodiversity loss
15.1   By 2020, ensure the conservation, restoration and sustainable use of terrestrial and 
inland freshwater ecosystems and their services, in particular forests, wetlands, 
mountains and drylands, in line with obligations under international agreements
15.3   By 2030, combat desertification, restore degraded land and soil, including land 
affected by desertification, drought and floods, and strive to achieve a land 
degradation-neutral world
We actively pursue opportunities to 
protect biodiversity and reduce 
deforestation while also partnering with 
our farmer customers to advance 
sustainable sourcing and farming
100% of corn purchased from 
non-deforested, US-domestic sources 
via compliance with RFS regulations
Established new goal of 100% 
sustainably-sourced primary feedstock 
by 2030 and began phase 
implementation of sustainable sourcing/
farm carbon grain origination roadmap.
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GOAL
TARGETS AND INDICATORS
GREEN PLAINS ALIGNMENT
Promote peaceful and 
inclusive societies for 
sustainable development, 
provide access to justice 
for all and build effective, 
accountable and inclusive 
institutions at all levels
16.5  Substantially reduce corruption and bribery in all their forms
16.6  Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels
16.7  Ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory and representative decision-making at all 
levels
The company made numerous 
governance enhancements in 2021, 
including but not limited to adopting 
new Board Governance Guidelines and 
Company Bylaw improvements 
concerning shareholder rights.
Proposal to declassify Board included in 
2022 Proxy Statement, with vote 
occurring at our 2022 Annual Meeting of 
Shareholders, resulting in passage
Enhanced Anti-Corruption Policy and 
Human and Labor Rights Policy adopted 
in May 2021 with required training for 
100% of workforce implemented in 2022.
Strengthen the means 
of implementation 
and revitalize the 
Global Partnership for 
Sustainable Development
17.6  Enhance North-South, South-South and triangular regional and international 
cooperation on and access to science, technology and innovation and enhance 
knowledge sharing on mutually agreed terms, including through improved 
coordination among existing mechanisms, in particular at the United Nations level, and 
through a global technology facilitation mechanism
17.17  Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships, 
building on the experience and resourcing strategies of partnerships
Partnering with Osaka Gas USA and 
Tallgrass to study the feasibility of 
synthetic methane production from 
low-carbon hydrogen and biogenic CO2 
to support Japan's climate goals 
Partnering with United Airlines and 
Tallgrass to develop ATJ SAF using 
advanced Pacific Northwest National 
Laboratory, a US Department of Energy 
research institution, technology
* https://sdgs.un.org/goals
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Other Information
Index of Defined Terms
6S
Otherwise known as 5S (Sustain, Set 
in Order, Shine, Standardize, Sort) + 
Safety
AD&D
Accidental Death and
Dismemberment
ANSI
American National
Standards Institute
API
American Petroleum Institute
CAPA
Corrective Action and
Preventative Action
CCS
Carbon Capture and
Sequestration
CEMS
Continuous Emissions
Monitoring System
CFR
Code of Federal Regulations
CI
Carbon Intensity
CLAO
Chief Legal and
Administration Officer
CO2
Carbon Dioxide
CO2 e
Carbon Dioxide Equivalent
COA
Certificate of Analysis
CST™
Clean Sugar Technology
DAFW
Days Away From Work
DEI/DE&I
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
DHHS
Department of Health and
Human Services
EAP
Employee Assistance Plan
EHSS
Environment, Health, Safety
and Security
EIPA
European Institute of
Public Administration
EPA
Environmental
Protection Agency
ESG
Environmental, Social
and Governance
FAPRI
Food and Agricultural Policy
Research Institute
FDA
Food and Drug Administration
FIFO
Fish In/Fish Out
FQT
Fluid Quip Technologies
FSMA
Food Safety Modernization Act
GDP
Gross Domestic Product
GHG
Greenhouse Gas
GHS
Globally Harmonized System
GREET
Greenhouse Gases, Regulated
Emissions, and Energy Use in
Transportation
GRI
Global Reporting Initiative
HAPs
Hazardous Air Pollutants
HBCUs
Historically Black Colleges and
Universities
IDEM
Indiana Department of
Environmental Management
IDNR
Illinois Department of Natural
Resources
ISS
Information Security Standard
IT
Information Technology
JSA
Job Safety Analysis
KPI
Key Performance Indicators
KWh
Kilowatt Hours
LCFS
Low Carbon Fuel Standard
LDAR
Leak Detection and Repair
LMS
Learning Management System
LPG
Liquified Petroleum Gas
LTI
Lost Time Injury
LUC
Land Use Change
MBE
Minority Owned Business
Enterprise
MDH
Minnesota Department of Health
MMBtu
Metric Million British Thermal
Unit
MNDNR
Minnesota Department of
Natural Resources
MODIS
Moderate Resolution Imaging
Spectroradiometer
MPCA
Minnesota Pollution Control
Agency
MSCI™
Morgan Stanley Capital
International
MSC™
Maximized Stillage Co-Products
MT
Metric Tons
MTBE
Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether
NDEE
Nebraska Department of
Environment and Energy
NFPA
National Fire Protection
Association
NOX
Nitrogen Oxides
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OSHA
Occupational Safety and Health
Administration
PAC
Political Action Committee
PEMS
Predictive Emissions
Monitoring System
PM
Particulate Matter
PMS
Performance Management
System
PPE
Personal Protective Equipment
PSM
Process Safety Management
Q&A
Question and Answer
QDR
Quality Deviation Report
QMS
Quality Management System
RAS
Recirculating Aquaculture
Systems
RD
Renewable Diesel
RFS
Renewable Fuel Standard
RO
Reverse Osmosis
RTO
Regenerative Thermal Oxidizer
S&P
Standard and Poor’s
SASB
Sustainability Accounting
Standards Board
SBTi
Science-Based Targets Initiative
SCS
Summit Carbon Solutions
SDS
Safety Data Sheets
SLT
Senior Leadership Team
SO2
Sulfur Dioxide
SOX
Sulfur Oxide
STEM
Science, Technology, Engineering, 
and Mathematics
STI
Steel Tank Institute
SVP
Senior Vice President
SWA
Stop Work Authority
TCFD
Task Force on Climate-Related
Financial Disclosure
TDEC
Tennessee Department of
Environment and Conservation
TO
Thermal Oxidizer
TRIR
Total Recordable Incident Rate
UN SDGs
United Nations Sustainable
Development Goals
USD
United States Dollar
USDA
United States Department of
Agriculture
VFD
Variable Frequency Drives
VOCs
Volatile Organic Compounds
VOSB
Veteran-Owned Small Business
VP
Vice President
VSQGs
Very Small Quantity Generators
WBE
Women-Owned
Business Enterprise
WIA
Women in Agriculture
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Assurance Letter
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GOVERNANCE
REPORTING
FRAMEWORKS
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Forward-Looking Statements
This sustainability report includes forward-looking statements that reflect management’s current views of company performance, industry conditions and 
future economic environment. These statements are based on assumptions and various factors that are subject to risks and uncertainties. Green Plains has 
provided additional information about such risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in its 
reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Forward-looking statements are made in accordance with safe harbor provisions of the Private 
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based on current expectations which involve a number of risks and uncertainties and do not 
relate strictly to historical or current facts, but rather to plans and objectives for future operations. These statements include words such as “anticipate,” 
“believe,” “continue,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “outlook,” “plan,” “predict,” “may,” “could,” “should,” “will” and similar words and phrases as well as 
statements regarding future operating or financial performance or guidance, business strategy, environment, key trends and benefits of actual or planned 
acquisitions. Factors that could cause actual results to differ from those expressed or implied are discussed in our 10-K report under “Risk Factors” or 
incorporated by reference. Specifically, we may experience fluctuations in future operating results due to a number of economic conditions, including: 
competition in the ethanol industry and other industries in which we operate; commodity market risks, including those that may result from weather 
conditions; financial market risks; counterparty risks; risks associated with changes to government policy or regulation, including changes to tax laws; risks 
related to acquisitions and disposition activities and achieving anticipated results; risks associated with merchant trading; risks related to our equity method 
investees; disruption caused by health epidemics, such as the COVID-19 outbreak; and other factors detailed in reports filed with the SEC. We believe our 
expectations regarding future events are based on reasonable assumptions; however, these assumptions may not be accurate or account for all risks and 
uncertainties. Consequently, forward-looking statements are not guaranteed. Actual results may vary materially from those expressed or implied in our 
forward-looking statements. In addition, we are not obligated and do not intend to update our forward-looking statements as a result of new information 
unless it is required by applicable securities laws. We caution investors not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which represent 
management’s views as of the date of this report or documents incorporated by reference. This sustainability report also includes estimated projections of 
future operating results. This information is not fact and should not be relied upon as being necessarily indicative of future results; the projections were 
prepared in good faith by management and are based on numerous assumptions that may prove to be wrong. Important factors that may affect actual results 
and cause the projections to not be achieved include, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties relating to the company and other factors described under 
“Risk Factors” section of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K. Actual results may differ materially from those contained in the estimates. Accordingly, 
there can be no assurance that the estimates will be realized. Neither the SEC nor any other regulatory body has passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of 
this sustainability report. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense. Except as otherwise indicated, this sustainability report speaks as of the date 
hereof. The delivery of this sustainability report shall not, under any circumstances, create any implication that there has been no change in the affairs of the 
company after the date hereof. Certain of the information contained herein may be derived from information provided by industry sources. While the 
company believes that such information is accurate and that the sources from which it has been obtained are reliable, it has not independently verified data 
from these third-party sources.

Green Plains Inc. 
1811 Aksarben Drive 
Omaha, NE 68106
www.gpreinc.com