Members of the Food and Drink Federation (FDF) have reduced their carbon dioxide emissions by 35%, five years ahead of schedule.
A report from FDF published today shows that the target was achieved against the 1990 baseline, with emissions falling by 664,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide. The Five-fold Environmental Ambition Progress Report also chronicles improvements in sustainability performance since 2007.
The trade body, which represents the UK food and drink manufacturing industry, has reported a 15% reduction in water usage and a 4.5% fall in the carbon impact of packaging. The industry has also lowered its proportion of food and packaging waste sent to landfills to just 3%.
Jim Moseley, interim director general of FDF, said: “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. 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. “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.”
Liz Truss, the UK’s secretary of state for environment, food and rural affairs, added: “This report showcases that economic growth and success need not be at the expense of environmental ambitions. 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.”
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