Decarbonizing the food and drink sector: FDE roadmap helps manufacturers plot a path to net-zero emissions

12 Jul 2021 --- A report detailing how the EU food manufacturing industry can play its part in reaching net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 has been published following its commission by FoodDrinkEurope. It states that food production from farm-to-fork represents 30 percent of total carbon emissions within the EU, with the manufacturing process accounting for 11 percent of this share, or 3 percent of the total.

Decarbonization of the food manufacturing sector can therefore make a significant contribution to the EU carbon neutrality target.

The report – the Decarbonization roadmap for the food and drink manufacturing sector – was commissioned by FoodDrinkEurope and written by environment expert Ricardo.

Transition to net-zero
“Businesses should start with setting an emissions baseline and selecting a tool that will guide them in their decision-making process,” says lead author Alfredo Lopez Carretero.

“Most plants will need to take decarbonization measures relating to both energy demand and energy supply, and this roadmap provides information on more than 90 measures to do this.”

“We also note barriers that must be overcome. For instance, an unstable policy environment does not help companies working on long-term investments. The cost of infrastructure to enable carbon reductions can often be prohibitive, especially for small and medium-sized businesses. Also, many of the technologies required to reach net-zero are immature and not yet economically viable.”

“Overall, we hope this report will facilitate dialogue between industry and policymakers to assist with this challenging transition.”

Laura Degallaix, FoodDrinkEurope director for environmental sustainability, says the FDE report is a “major step” toward net-zero emissions.The FDE commissioned the report, written by environment experts Ricardo, closely follows a similar report from the UK’s Food and Drink Federation and environmental advisory consultancy SLR, which also sets out how the industry can achieve a net-zero carbon footprint by 2050 and the type of support this would require from the government.

Collaborative working 
Laura Degallaix, FoodDrinkEurope director for environmental sustainability, adds that the FDE report is a “major step” toward net-zero emissions.

“We are in a climate emergency, and we must tackle it with the urgency it demands. That’s why FoodDrinkEurope signed the EU’s ground-breaking farm- to-form Code of Conduct in which food chain actors committed to reach carbon neutrality by 2050,” she says.

“We will now work with our members to translate Ricardo’s report into action on the ground and build on the many climate commitments already made by our industry. It will be especially important to work with EU and national policymakers to develop an enabling environment, including financial support mechanisms which will be vital for SMEs.”

Last week, a wide range of stakeholders signed up to industry’s movement for more sustainable food systems in Europe, including Nestlé, Mondelēz International and FDE. The pledges will lead to a more nutrition-focused product reformulation and putting environmentally friendly strategies at the heart of food production.

Achieving net carbon emissions, developing sustainable packaging models, protecting biodiversity, tackling climate change, environmental degradation and eliminating malnutrition are among the key focus areas.

They are underscored by consumer demand for environmentally friendly food production with a low impact on planetary health. Consumers want to know more than ever before about where their food comes from and how it ends up on the plate. This is in line with Innova Market Insights Top Ten Trend for 2021, Transparency Triumphs. 

Edited by Gaynor Selby