Farming: Food Industry Sustainability Strategy (FISS)
Champions' Group: Energy use and climate change
An Industry led Champions’ Group was formed in October 2006 to identify how energy consumption and emissions by the food industry can be reduced. The group membership was made up of representatives from industry, government and the third sector. The starting point for the work of this group was the key action point on energy and climate change which can be found on page 35 of the Strategy Document (see also below). The final report from this Group can be found below.
Final report
(375 KB)Related research
- ‘Scoping studies to identify opportunities for improving resource use efficiency and for reducing waste through the food production chain’ by AEA Technology
Key FISS Action point (p35)
To contribute its share of the Energy White Paper figures the food industry is going to need to cut its carbon emissions by 20% from 1990 to 2010. The manufacturing sector has already made good progress in cutting emissions from its use of fossil fuel by 18% between 1990 and 2002, but these reductions have been offset by increasing output leading to an increase in the use of electricity obtained from the electricity generators.
The net result is that since 1990 there has been a 9% cut in the carbon emissions from energy as a result of actions taken by the food manufacturers themselves (as opposed to those by the electricity generators) so they and the rest of the food industry will need to redouble their efforts to reach 20% by 2010.
New measures are needed by both government and industry to achieve this target but there is as yet no agreement on how this should be pursued. It is agreed that a process of discussion between government and industry is set upon regarding the feasibility of reaching this target, the evidence base and measures needed. To report by winter 2006.
Page last
modified: 07 February 2008
Page published: 10 November 2006