FDF slash carbon emissions by 17%

27th November 2008, 11:14am

Members of the Food and Drink Federation (FDF) have slashed their CO2 emissions by 17% as part of an ambitious plan to reduce their environmental impact.

The reduction means the industry has been releasing an average of 58,000 tonnes less CO₂ per year since 1990 – the equivalent of taking 22,000 cars off UK roads each year.

The 17% reduction in CO₂ emissions has been achieved on the back of efforts by member companies to improve energy efficiencies in their factories, boost productivity and make greater use of renewable sources of energy. The results show that FDF members are on target to meet their commitment to reduce CO₂ emissions by 20% by 2010, compared with 1990.

As well as reducing their CO₂ emissions, FDF is today announcing that its members have prevented over half a million tonnes of food waste being created, recycled or recovered 82% of the food and packaging waste created in factories, and launched the Federation House Commitment, under which 237 food and drink manufacturing sites across the UK are working to improve efficiency.

Fiona Dawson, chair of FDF's sustainability and competitiveness steering group and managing director of Mars UK Snackfood, said: "Our report demonstrates that our members are committed to making a real difference to the environment. Our achievements to date are impressive and provide a strong foundation on which we will build as we look to meet the ambitions we set ourselves in 2007."

Hilary Benn, secretary of state for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, added: "This is an impressive example of what businesses can do to improve their environmental performance by working together. We need to see more of this."

Related Articles:

• 06 Feb 2012 - FDF launches regional apprenticeship roadshows
• 28 Oct 2011 - FDF calls on food manufacturers to sign up to apprenticeship pledge
• 13 Oct 2011 - FDF Community Partnership Award winners announced
• 22 Mar 2011 - Date for the diary: FDF's Biscuit, Cake, Chocolate and Confectionery Sector Group's conference
• 21 Jan 2011 - FDF appoints new director of communications
• 14 Apr 2009 - New environment category for FDF awards
• 26 Mar 2009 - FDF hosts 56th sweet conference

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