FDF Ambition 2030 Launch

The Food and Drink Federation (FDF), which represents UK food and drink manufacturing, has launched the next stage of its flagship sustainability programme, Ambition 2030. Building on the previous Ambition 2025 programme, the strategy shares five targeted Ambitions for the next five years, highlighting the industry’s commitment to reducing its impact on the planet, by tackling emissions, driving a circular economy, sourcing sustainable ingredients, minimising food waste and supporting biodiversity. Ambition 2030 plays a central role in FDF’s work to bring supply chain partners together to develop a longer-term approach to tackling climate change and biodiversity loss.

The strategy focuses on the impacts of climate change and nature’s decline, which are being felt right across the globe, posing a growing threat to food production and food security. The strategy also highlights the need for a united approach across the entire food system to tackle the impacts of climate change on food production. As one of the UK’s biggest industries, employing more than half a million people and contributing over £38 billion to the nation’s economy, food and drink manufacturers are playing a pivotal role in helping the nation meet its environmental commitments as well as enhancing our food security.

Based on five key pillars, the strategy outlines new Ambitions that the food and drink manufacturing industry is pledging to reach by 2030:

1. Net zero – With the food we consume contributing to around a quarter of the UK’s total CO­₂ emissions¹, food and drink manufacturers will support the agrifood supply chain’s target to reduce its emissions by 50%, in line with the industry’s pledge to achieve net zero by 2040.
2. Nature restoration – Is becoming ever more urgent. By investing in nature restoration projects including regenerative agriculture, manufacturers will contribute to the UK’s Nature Positive ambition to halt and reverse nature loss by 2030.
3. Sustainable commodities – Agricultural commodities are vital for food production, from cattle feed to ingredients in manufacturing, however it is critical that these only come from sustainable sources. By halting commodity-driven deforestation and conversion by 2030, the sector will prevent further biodiversity loss due to commodity production.
4. Food waste – Around a third of all food produced is wasted, accounting for up to 10% of the world’s total CO₂ emissions³. Manufacturers will build on the substantial progress they have already made by halving food waste from the manufacturing process by 2030. However, with households accounting for 70% of the UK’s edible food waste⁴, the sector will also work with partners across industry and with government to reduce household food waste.
5. Packaging – Food and drink packaging is critical for keeping food fresh and safe. But if it isn’t recycled, it has a significant impact on our environment. FDF members are committed to establishing a circular economy in the UK. By working in partnership with government, the sector will contribute to the creation of a world-class packaging recycling system in the UK.

As well as the five overarching Ambitions, the strategy gives detailed and practical guidance on measurement, target-setting and reporting to help food and drink manufacturers take action, no matter where they are on their journey. Whether at the entry, developing or advancing stage, the programme has been developed to help every business drive real change by embedding sustainability into their business plans.

Karen Betts, Chief Executive, The Food and Drink Federation, said:

"Climate change is demanding rapid change on the part of food systems – whether this is adapting to unpredictable weather patterns or changing what we’re doing and how we’re doing it to produce food and drink. The businesses in our sector are active – directly and through their supply chains – in driving down emissions, working to restore nature, reducing food waste, and ensuring all packaging is reduced, reused or recycled. Ambition 2030 is critical in supporting them to do that, with practical guidance, knowledge sharing and planning, to ensure everyone in our sector successfully navigates the next set of complex challenges we need to tackle in the coming five years.

"FDF is now also increasingly looking beyond 2030, ensuring we’re working with other key partners across the food sector and in government to ensure we are mapping the sector’s next, critical steps to 2050, ensuring our food and drink supplies are sustainable and secure, while actively contributing to global food security, in a changing world."

Circular Economy Minister Mary Creagh said:

"Packaging waste, emissions and sustainability are complex problems for industry – which is why it’s crucial for us to work together to tackle these issues through Ambition 2030, building on the progress already made by food and drink manufacturers.

"This Government is committed to moving to a circular economy in which we keep our resources in use for longer, accelerate the path to net zero and increase investment in critical infrastructure and green jobs in every region of the country."

Andre Burger, General Manager Foods, Unilever UK & Ireland, and Chair of the Food and Drink Federation’s Environmental Sustainability Committee, commented:

"With the impacts of climate change being felt right across the globe and presenting a significant challenge to food production and security, it’s never been more important for food and drink manufacturers to tackle the critical issues contributing to our changing climate.

"I very much welcome the Food & Drink Federation’s (FDF) flagship Ambition 2030 strategy, which highlights the important work going on in the food and drink sector on net zero, nature restoration, sustainable commodities, food waste and packaging, and sets out how every business can contribute. It will be critical for the FDF and its members to collaborate with government and across the supply chain to mobilise action and ensure the industry can deliver on its ambitions."

-ENDS-

Notes

1. Source: WRAP. Data includes UK generated and net imported emissions from all GHGs measured in line with GHG protocols
2. Source: UN Environment Programme
3. Source: WRAP