INFORM Carbon Reduction
FOOD PERFORMANCE
The emissions produced by the
UK’s food industry are much
FTSE 100 companies must do better
higher than previously thought.
The food we eat accounts for The UK’s biggest companies are
30% of the UK’s carbon foot- dragging their feet when it comes
print, according to a new to cutting greenhouse gas emis-
report published today by sions – and the targets they have
WWF and the Food Climate set themselves to reduce their
Research Network. Previous footprints fall well short of gov-
estimates put the figure closer ernment ambitions.
to 20%, but this study is the Analysis by the Carbon
first to incorporate land use Disclosure Project (CDP) shows
change overseas, increasing that the average rate of carbon
the estimate of emissions reduction among the FTSE 100
attributed to food consumption companies is 2.5% – marginally
in this country from 152MtCO
2
ahead of the 2.4% rate required if
to 253MtCO
2
. the UK is to meet its legally-bind-
ing target of cutting emissions by
EVENT
between 34% and 42% by 2020, Targets set by the most carbon-intensive blue-chip firms are falling short
Faversham House Group, the as set out in the 2008 Climate
publisher of SB, has launched Change Act. But the firms with responsible for nearly 90% of required to meet national targets
the Irish Sustainable Business the biggest carbon footprint – FTSE 100 reported emissions set and hopes the EU emissions trad-
Exhibition, taking place on those in the energy, utilities and aggressive reduction targets,” said ing scheme, as well as the incom-
13-14 October 2010. materials sectors that account for CDP’s Paul Dickinson. ing Carbon Reduction
The trade exhibition will be 87% of the carbon emissions The survey of companies also Commitment Energy Efficiency
running alongside the water emitted by the top 100 companies found that only 77% of them have Scheme, will help to drive carbon
and waste shows at – have set targets that will produce set an emissions reduction target, reduction across sectors.
Simmonscourt in Dublin, an average emissions reduction and 31% of these have based it on Last year, the CDP issued simi-
forming the biggest environ- rate of just 1.2%. carbon intensity rather than lar evidence on the emissions
mental event on the island – The CDP report argues that tar- absolute cuts in emissions. reduction ambitions of the world’s
Resource Ireland. gets set by the most carbon-inten- Reducing carbon intensity still biggest firms. The study found
Aimed at all businesses sive blue-chip firms “fall far short allows for companies to increase that the Global 100 are on track to
wanting to reduce their envi- of national targets and if we con- overall emissions, without attract- deliver average annual emissions
ronmental, water and carbon tinue on this trajectory, we will not ing negative publicity, says the cuts of 1.9% a year – well short of
footprints, the Irish Sustainable deliver in line with government report. But the Government the 3.9% needed to reach an 80%
Business Exhibition will offer requirements for 2020, until 2030”. insists UK business is still on track reduction across developed coun-
advice, case studies and best “It is crucial that those sectors to deliver the carbon savings tries by 2050.
practice guides and feature
suppliers of sustainable prod-
WIND
ucts and services.
Wind farms get the go-ahead
Bidders have been awarded the “This announcement will make the new larger turbines required
rights to nine sites around the a significant and practical contri- for round three, before they are
British coast for wind farm con- bution to reducing our CO
2
emis- installed further offshore, will be
The launch of the event in struction. The sites have the sions and the Government will a critical factor to accelerating the
Ireland follows the inaugural potential to host around 6,400 work with developers and The rate of installations and reducing
sister event Sustainable turbines, which will generate Crown Estate to support the the lifetime costs of new wind
Business – The Event, attract- around 32GW of power. growing offshore wind industry farms,” he said.
ing more than 4,000 visitors in According to Gordon Brown, and help remove barriers to rapid However, the RSPB’s head of
its first year in the UK in May offshore wind could become a development.” sustainable development, Martin
2009. The exhibition will offer a £75B industry supporting up to The Crown Estate, earns Harper, was concerned for
platform to discuss climate 70,000 clean energy jobs by 2020. money for the treasury by man- wildlife. He said: “We support
change policies and legislation, “Our policies in support of off- aging land owned by the state, government targets for 33GW of
carbon tax models, footprinting shore wind energy have already and believes a quarter of UK renewable energy to come from
and labelling and many other put us ahead of every other energy could be generated from offshore wind farms.
relevant topics with peers, country in the world,” said the the new sites. Andrew Mill, chief “But in the wrong place, wind
industry experts and the Prime Minister. executive of Narec, the Crown farms can cause problems for
public sector. “This new round of licences Estate’s technology adviser, added wildlife. For example, birds may
To get involved in the provides a substantial new plat- that the move is a “huge step for- collide with wind turbines or be
seminar programme contact form for investing in UK indus- ward” for the UK. displaced from their habitat or
the organiser at trial capacity. “Proving the technologies in food resources.”
resourceireland@fav-house.com.
IN FACT THE FOOD INDUSTRY IS RESPONSIBLE FOR AROUND 30% OF THE UK’S TOTAL CARBON FOOTPRINT
6 February 2010 ❘ Sustainable Business
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