New whitepaper challenges sustainability in the agri-food sector
Agri-food consultancy Promar International has launched a whitepaper calling for “radical change” for industry to achieve sustainability, warning that 80% of the food and drink supply chains are yet to commit to sustainable production.
McDonald’s UK has reduced on-farm emissions by 23%.
According to the whitepaper, which was contributed to by the Carbon Trust, agricultural outputs will need to increase by 20% every decade for the next 40 years to meet demand. However, it warned that the industry is currently in no position to achieve this sustainably, as 23% of carbon emissions are derived from the sector alone.
In a bid to highlight areas of the sector where the supply chain is investing in change, the whitepaper used a case study from McDonald’s UK, which has reduced on-farm emissions by 23%, demonstrating that sustainable food production can form part of a profitable business model.
Promar International’s head of environment, Tom Gill, explained the importance of prioritising a “total supply chain approach” to continue to produce affordable goods in a secure and sustainable way.
Gill added: “The increased pressure to produce more food and drink affects everyone in the supply chain, from farmers through to retailers.
“Change in the food supply chain is primarily driven by the customer, and the sustainability agenda should be no different.”
The whitepaper was launched at edie Live at the NEC, Birmingham.
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