FDF slash carbon emissions by 17%

The reduction means the industry has been releasing an average of 58,000 tonnes less CO2 per year since 1990 – the equivalent of taking 22,000 cars off UK roads each year. The 17% reduction in CO2 emissions has been achieved on the back of efforts by member companies to improve energy efficiencies in their factories, boost productivity and make greater use of renewable sources of energy. The results show that FDF members are on target to meet their commitment to reduce CO2 emissions by 20% by 2010, compared with 1990. As well as reducing their CO2 emissions, FDF is today announcing that its members have prevented over half a million tonnes of food waste being created, recycled or recovered 82% of the food and packaging waste created in factories, and launched the Federation House Commitment, under which 237 food and drink manufacturing sites across the UK are working to improve efficiency. Fiona Dawson, chair of FDF's sustainability and competitiveness steering group and managing director of Mars UK Snackfood, said: "Our report demonstrates that our members are committed to making a real difference to the environment. Our achievements to date are impressive and provide a strong foundation on which we will build as we look to meet the ambitions we set ourselves in 2007." Hilary Benn, secretary of state for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, added: "This is an impressive example of what businesses can do to improve their environmental performance by working together. We need to see more of this."