4 minute read
Net Zero
by 55 North
SUSTAINABILITY: IGD/SWA
Industry focuses on Net Zero
THE FOOD AND DRINK INDUSTRY'S DRIVE TO NET ZERO IS GATHERING PACE WITH BOTH IGD AND THE SCOTTISH WHOLESALE ASSOCIATION UNVEILING IMPORTANT UPDATES THIS WEEK
Sustainability continues to be an increasingly important strand of much work being done by the UK food and drink industry, as it takes further strides towards achieving Net Zero greenhouse gas emissions.
The IGD has this week announced a new partnership with climate solutions expert South Pole to help the food and consumer goods industry take positive, tangible steps towards Net Zero and published a guide for business of all sizes. Meanwhile, the Scottish Wholesale Association (SWA) has confirmed it has entered phase two of its decarbonisation project designed to help its members and the wider wholesale sector become greener and more sustainable.
IGD
With its ambition to accelerate progress towards a sustainable food system, IGD yesterday launched a new guide, Building Your Net Zero Roadmap – A Guide For Industry Leaders And Decision Makers.
The UK government has committed to achieving Net Zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 and an increasing number of UK food and consumer goods businesses and industry organisations are committing to Net Zero by 2040. IGD has partnered with South Pole to create this new guide, which is designed to help business leaders and decision-makers kick start their own Net Zero journey.
The charity believes there is a huge opportunity for businesses of all sizes to innovate and lead the UK’s transition to a Net Zero economy. The guide includes the business case for urgent action and a new framework for building a robust Net Zero strategy, including how to make a start and build momentum.
Susan Barratt, CEO of IGD, said: “Climate change is one of the greatest challenges facing the world. We know there is a huge appetite to innovate and lead our industry’s transition to a Net Zero economy. We also know that for many businesses it’s not always clear where to start the journey. We hope you find this guide inspiring and helpful in driving action in your business and through your supply chain.” Companies can contact IGD for more information, best practice guidance and to share their Net Zero journey progress at sustainability@igd.com.
SWA
The Scottish Wholesale Association is moving into phase two of its decarbonisation project with ambitious plans to decarbonise the wholesale food supply chain and achieve net-zero emissions by 2045, if not before.
Phase one of the Decarbonisation of the Wholesale Industry Project has seen the SWA examine the emissions associated with its members’ vehicle fleets via a survey. The results will be analysed to calculated individual wholesaler’s carbon footprint.
Colin Smith, SWA Chief Executive, said: “We will then present various options to our members so we can discuss the best way forward on our journey to decarbonisation. In addition, we are in the process of creating a bespoke toolkit to help members calculate, estimate and keep track of their own vehicle fleet emissions.”
Phase two will examine emissions generated from buildings, including warehousing, cold storage and offices, and the energy consumed by them. A questionnaire has been sent out to the membership and the results, combined with those of phase one, will enable the SWA to calculate the carbon footprint of the wholesale sector in Scotland.
“A particular focus of phase one was on Hydrogen Fuel Cell and Electric Vehicle technologies. Phase two, which is shining a spotlight on energy and buildings, is now in progress and it is heartening that many SWA members are already forging ahead with their own plans to make their own fleets and buildings more sustainable and environmentally friendly.”
For example, SWA member Lomond: The Wholesale Food Co will be trialling a fully-electric vehicle in November in the Glasgow area to coincide with the global COP26 climate change conference. Working with SWA and ULEMCo, Lomond hopes to adapt and initialise what is Scotland’s first private sector hydrogen-powered truck.
Smith added: “All of this gives SWA a baseline and allows us to draw a route map to net zero for our sector which we will then present to the Scottish Government and its agencies, including Transport Scotland, Scottish Enterprise and HIE, to hopefully release some of the targeted £109m Scottish Government funding set aside for business investment in greener technologies.”
In addition to ULEMCo, which aims to bring hydrogen technology to commercial fleets by converting traditional diesel-powered trucks to hydrogen dual-fuel technology, the SWA is working with Arcola Energy, a specialist in hydrogen and fuel cell systems, and East Lothian-based Logan Energy which designs, commissions, installs and maintains hydrogen refuelling stations.
