Food and drink companies have achieved a 55% reduction in CO2 emissions, five years before the target was due to be reached. The Ambition 2025 project aims to set ‘achievable but hard-hitting’ sustainability targets for food and drink companies.
Helen Munday, chief scientific officer at FDF, said: “It’s incredible that we are half way to reaching the end of this project in 2025 and we are seeing our members fully achieve some of the targets we set out in 2016.
“Despite the difficult year the industry has faced, sustainability and environmental initiatives have remained at the forefront of our agenda and this is clearly seen in the progress being made.
“We of course know there is more to achieve which is why we undertook the Mid-Term Review work, and can now present fresh, forward-thinking targets which we know our members our keen to embrace.”
Between 2007 and 2019 FDF members reduced their absolute water consumption by more than one third (41.5%). As a result of the Mid-Term Report the FDF updated its ambitions on carbon, food waste and packaging to better reflect the current UK and international targets.
Environment Minister Rebecca Pow, added: “We all need to play our part to protect and improve our environment. The Food and Drink sector’s commitment shows it is leading British business to greater levels of sustainability.
“The sector is setting an example to all businesses by supporting the Government’s commitment to a natural capital approach and reducing the UK’s environmental footprint overseas.
“It’s great to see progress made already and I look forward to seeing the industry take further steps in months and years ahead.”