UK: FDF making sustainability strides, according to new report

16 Jan 2018 --- The UK Food and Drink Federation (FDF) has published its annual sustainability progress report outlining the progress made by members to deliver its ambition for 2025. And the publication of this report is accompanied by the launch of FDF's Sustainability Resource Hub, an online platform providing information on various sustainability tools that were previously only available to member companies.

Representing the UK's biggest manufacturing sector, the FDF report shows that progress was made towards each of FDF's environmental ambitions, including further reductions in CO2 emissions from manufacturing operations, down 51 percent in 2016, when compared to the 1990 baseline.

It is accompanied by case studies from FDF member companies Bettys & Taylors, Britvic, Coca-Cola European Partners, Mars, Matthew Algie, Mondelez International, PepsiCo, Pladis and Warburtons.

The Hub contains information on voluntary certifications, collaborative platforms and practical tools available to businesses looking to further their sustainability agenda.

The project is a key deliverable on FDF's ambition on sustainable supply chains. FDF hopes it will help businesses identify relevant and credible mechanisms to increase and maintain the resilience of their supply chains, both independently and in collaboration with other stakeholders.

FDF says that it will continue to work with its members to make further progress towards its Ambition 2025 and to deliver sustainable supply chains for the future.

“The food and drink manufacturing industry continues to deliver progress against our environmental ambitions. The Sustainability Resource Hub is the next step on our journey to support a shift towards integrating sustainable sourcing into decision making at all levels throughout the supply chain and achieving our Ambition 2025,” says Helen Munday, Chief Scientific Officer, Food and Drink Federation.

“We hope this tool will provide companies, particularly small-to-medium-sized ones, with practical guidance to contribute to their sustainability goals.”

“Following the publication of the 25-year Environment Plan, we look forward to working closely with Government and other key stakeholders on evidence-based approaches to sustainability, including dealing with plastic waste and protecting and enhancing Britain's natural capital.”