Food Industry Sustainability Strategy

The food industry has published its Food Industry Sustainability Strategy which, among other things, outlines the steps it proposes to take to address energy, waste, food miles and sustainable consumption issues.

Champions' groups are examining best practice, looking at ways of working and identifying barriers which may discourage the industry from behaving in a more sustainable way. The champions groups should have completed their work and submitted a report to Ministers by May 2007.

Energy

The FISS 'challenges' industry to reduce its carbon emissions by 20% by 2010 against a 1990 baseline and commits Government and industry to a process of discussion, to report by winter 2006, on the feasibility of reaching this target, the evidence base and the measures needed to achieve the target. Note that the industry is committed to a process of discussion, but not to the 20% target itself.

Instead the industry has committed itself to the following:

• collaborating to establish a firm evidence base of existing energy consumption patterns and potential for savings in the food retail and food service sectors
• agreeing voluntary energy efficiency targets beyond areas covered by CCAs
• developing mechanisms for monitoring progress
• promoting a programme of industry engagement with the Carbon Trust regarding energy efficiency best practice

Waste

The same applies to waste reduction - the report 'challenges' the food manufacturing industry to reduce its own waste by 15-20% by 2010 but has no definite targets. Instead the FISS commits Government and industry to a process of discussion, to report by early 2007, on the most effective way to carry through these objectives, including the establishment of better base data.

Transport

Here the FISS encourages the food industry to continue to improve its vehicle fleet utilisation and efficiency, as measured by the Department for Transport's benchmarking surveys on food distribution. This includes regular surveys which assess performance against vehicle fill, empty running, time utilisation, deviations from schedule and fuel consumption benchmarks.

Building on the logistical improvements of the last decade, a process will be set up with industry to consider the practical implications associated with it securing significant reductions (say, 20% by 2012) in the level of external costs associated with the domestic transportation of food. To report back to Ministers by winter 2006. Once again there are no definite quantified targets.

Sustainable consumption and production

The FISS encourages industry to engage with benchmarking programmes and commits Government to investigating the lifecycle impacts of the contents of an average food shopping trolley. Government is also establishing the Environment Direct service. This will give clear independent advice to consumers on the impacts of choices they face and seek to improve understanding of the social and cultural influences that shape consumer choices in order to narrow the gap between consumer awareness and actual behaviour.