Food and drink industry carbon emissions reduction goal achieved five years early

Food and drink companies have hit a target for cutting their carbon emissions by 35% five years early, it was announced today. The FDF revealed that the reduction, against a 1990 baseline, has seen emissions fall by 664,000 tonnes of CO₂.

The FDF Five-fold Environmental Ambition progress report also shows reduced water use among FDF members of 15.6% However, there was much slower progress on reducing levels of food waste.

As revealed by The Grocer last week, the manufacturing and retail target of the WRAP Courtauld Commitment showed a small increase in the amount of supply chain waste in 2013 compared to 2012, despite recycling and recovery both increasing and an 80% increase in food being redistributed for human consumption.

FDF members achieved a a 4.5% reduction in the carbon impact of packaging against the 2015 zero increase target.

Today’s FDF report was welcomed by secretary of state for environment, food and rural affairs, Elizabeth Truss. “This report showcases that economic growth and success need not be at the expense of environmental ambitions,” she said. “For FDF members, producing more with less isn’t a series of buzz words, it’s an opportunity to increase efficiency and competitiveness. These are real achievements and it’s encouraging to see that FDF remains committed to working with its partners across the supply chain to face the environmental and economic challenges of the future.”

“Our significant achievement of an absolute reduction of 35% in CO₂ emissions is a result of continued focus on energy efficiency and low carbon innovation by members and proof that this collective approach is working,” said Jim Moseley, interim FDF director general. “Through the FDF Five-fold Environmental Ambition food and drink manufacturers are publically committed to working together to target environmental areas where they can make the biggest difference.

“This focus and drive to raise our collective environmental performance remains at the heart of the Five-fold Environmental Ambition and we will continue working together to improve resource efficiency, including revising our emissions target over the coming months.”