Courtauld steps up greenhouse gas, waste and water goals

The voluntary Courtauld Commitment 2025, which was established in 2015 and is helping the UK food sector to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goal of halving food waste, has set the goals for the entire food chain. It has also extended its work and remit for another five years, becoming the Courtauld Commitment 2030​. It follows the National Food Strategy Part 2​, which was published on 14 July, and set out ways the food industry could step up its work to reduce its impact on the environment.

Courtauld’s focus on measuring emissions along the entire food chain and acting on the results is being driven by environmental charity Waste & Resources Action Plan (WRAP). The charity delivers Courtauld, and brought together more than 80 businesses, trade bodies, NGOs, government departments and other organisations to set the new GHG targets.

Net zero

Courtauld will now be central to achieving and monitoring progress towards net zero GHG emissions and convening action on water stewardship in at-risk food sourcing locations.

The new 2030 goals

  • A 50% absolute reduction in GHG emissions by 2030,​ associated with food and drink consumed in the UK by 2030, against a 2015 baseline, versus a previous 20% reduction aim by 2025.
  • A 50% per capita reduction in food waste by 2030vs the UK 2007 baseline​, replacing a 20% per capita reduction by 2025.
  • Sustainable water management (quality and quantity) in the top 20 most important product and ingredient sourcing areas in the UK and overseas​ – covering 50% of product ingredients deemed ‘at risk’ from water insecurity.

Source: foodmanufacture.co.uk

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