Food and Drink Federation launches ambition to reach Net Zero by 2040
The Food and Drink Federation (FDF), the voice of the food and drink industry, has today announced its ambition on behalf of the sector to reach Net Zero by 2040.
The global food system is set to face unprecedented pressures over the coming decades. As part of this, a transition towards a more ‘sustainable healthy diet’ to improve the environmental impact of the food system is of growing interest to businesses, policy makers, NGOs and the public.
The definition of what constitutes a sustainable healthy diet is at a relatively early stage of development, with many organisations outlining the dietary shifts required to support better health and environmental outcomes.
All sectors of the food industry have a role to play. FDF supports the aim of sustainable healthy diets set out by the WHO and FAO and are working with our members to consider the role of food and drink manufacturers to help deliver change.
This work supports our long-standing goals to improve diet and health outcomes and deliver a more sustainable food system. This forms part of FDF’s Ambition 2025 vision for “A thriving and sustainable food and drink industry that acts responsibly for the benefit of society and the environment”. It is also an integral area within our work on climate change and upcoming roadmap to Net Zero.
Many FDF members are already making great commitments in this space, including working with retailers to collaboratively identify and test strategies to help shift consumers towards affordable, healthier and more sustainable choices in line with the Eatwell Guide recommendations.
Updates & milestones
How have food and drink manufacturers progressed environmental targets?
In this episode of the FDF podcast, the FDF’s Chief Scientific Officer, Helen Munday is joined by Skye Oudemans and Emma Mansbridge to explore the FDF’s recent Ambition 2025 progress and mid-term review reports. Both reports outlines the impressive progress made by food and drink manufacturers against environmental targets originally set out in 2016 as well as renewed ambitions the industry is aiming for by 2025.
Ambition 2025 progress report and mid-term review published
On 24 February, the FDF launched our Ambition 2025 Mid-term Review and Ambition 2025 Progress Report 2020 which was supported by a series of member case studies.
As highlighted in this year’s progress report, there has been exceptional progress in some areas, including:
- 55% reduction in CO2 emissions, five years before the target was due to be reached.
- 41.5% reduction in absolute water consumption in 2019 and support for the Courtauld 2025 Water Ambition.
- Contributed to the Food Waste Reduction Roadmap.
- Continued to build relationships with key stakeholders and with UK governments including through engagement on various the Plastics tax; undertook advocacy on PRN cost crisis; supported the UK Plastics Pact; and launched new guidelines on using recycled content in plastic packaging applications.
- Promoted the fewer and friendlier miles agenda through FDF’s 10 Point Checklist.
- Updated and promoted the Sustainability Resource Hub.
- Promoted the FDF Natural Capital Awareness Document.
The FDF also published a press release, with supporting quote from Environment Minister, Rebecca Pow MP. The launch has been extensively covered across the trade media.
FDF Diet and Health Award
Has your company made a significant contribution to improve the health of its customers?
Enter in the FDF Awards - Diet and Health category before 28 February 2021, for your chance to win. It’s completely free to enter!
Sustainable healthy diets panel discussion at the FDF convention
On 1 December, FDF’s Kate Halliwell chaired a panel discussion on the topic of sustainable healthy diets. Panelists discussed the role of food and drink manufacturers to help deliver change, and perspectives on how this could be taken forward in the upcoming National Food Strategy.
We were delighted to be joined by Will Nicholson (Project lead, The Food Foundation), Dr Nikos Mavroudis (Associate Professor in Food Quality and Regulation in the Dept. of Food and Nutritional Sciences, University of Reading - on behalf of EIT Food), Joe James (Senior Policy Adviser - National Food Strategy, Defra), and Jenny Arthur (Head of Nutrition and Membership, Leatherhead Food Research).
You can also listen to recordings of the sessions via the official FDF Podcast channel.
News
The Food and Drink Federation publishes Ambition 2025 Progress and Mid-Term Review reports
Food and drink companies beat CO2 reduction targets five years early, leading to new sustainability commitments in far reaching report.
Dumfries and Galloway Food and Drink Forum secures food funding boost
Dumfries and Galloway Food and Drink Forum, the regional food group that aims to grow a thriving food and drink network for Dumfries and Galloway, has secured funding to champion local produce.
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Related topics
Ambition 2025
Ambition 2025 sets out the FDF's vision for a thriving, responsible and sustainable UK food and drink industry.
Diet and health
FDF members are committed to ensuring people have access to a wide range of food and drinks that can support a balanced lifestyle. FDF Scotland is proud to deliver Reformulation for Health which is supporting smaller businesses to make their products healthier.
National Food Strategy
FDF is working with members and key stakeholders to inform the upcoming National Food Strategy (NFS) for England. This includes engagement on the independent review led by Henry Dimbleby and the Government white paper.
Sustainable supply chains
The UK food and drink industry is adopting schemes to address environmental, social and economic sustainability to drive sustainable supply chains.
Climate change and net zero
The UK food and drink industry welcomes the net zero target by 2050, with 2020 a key year for developing policy on climate change, energy and heat.
Report: FDF's Ambition: Progress report 2020
24 February 2021
The FDF and our members remain committed to the sustainability agenda and delivering environmental improvements across all areas of our Ambition.
Read more