FDF: UK food companies reduce CO2 emissions

The food and drink industry in the UK has been able to significantly reduce CO₂ emissions by 25% even as it scaled up the production, according to a report published by the Food and Drink Federation (FDF).

According to the latest Fivefold Environmental Ambition progress report, FDF members are well on the way to achieving the goal of 35% by 2020, and have lowered product and packaging waste in the supply chain by 5.3%, saved 163 million HGV (heavy goods vehicle) road miles and reduced water use.

FDF director of sustainability and competitiveness Andrew Kuyk said that decoupling environmental impacts from economic growth is important in meeting the future challenges of sustainability and global food security.

"We are proud of our progress so far and we look forward to continuing this journey in 2012," Kuyk added.

Minister of state for agriculture and food Jim Paice said that food and drink businesses have made great progress in lowering CO₂ emissions, cutting down waste and reducing water use.

"Of course, there’s always more to be done, and I’m impressed by the challenging longer-term ambitions set by the industry itself," Paice said.

FDF launched its flagship environmental programme, the Fivefold Environmental Ambition, in 2007 to make a positive impact on the environment across the five key areas of CO₂ reduction, water efficiency, transport miles, and waste and packaging reduction.

In 2011, the programme also began to evaluate the sector’s impact on the environment beyond the factory by undertaking a study into sustainable supply chains, actively increasing awareness on the importance of biodiversity and ecosystems among its members, and developing its guidance on efficient use of water.

Caption: UK food and drink companies have reduced CO₂ emissions by 25% and are on track to achieve 35% by 2020. (Image courtesy of Flominator.)