So what does this mean for the UK’s food and beverage industry?
Sainsburys and Tesco are among the businesses piloting a new methodology designed to help food and drink businesses across the value chain accurately measure and report their indirect (Scope 3) emissions.
The UK supermarket giants are signed up to pilot the Protocols are supporting WRAP’s Courtauld 2030 commitment. On emissions, the commitment requires emissions associated with food and drink consumed in the UK to be halved by 2030, against a 2015 baseline. Meeting this target will doubtless require a greater focus on Scope 3 emissions which for most large businesses, account for the majority of their emissions footprint.
Research conducted by WRAP in the development of the Protocols found that the two most common barriers to good Scope 3 measurement were poor data and the cost associated with employing external consultants.
With two of the major UK supermarket chains getting involved and focusing their efforts on their scope 3 emissions, I expect that we will see the remaining large UK supermarkets follow suit quickly either with WRAP or various other initiatives.
The message from consumers is clear and loud, that UK retailers need to start actively managing sustainability issues through their supply chains.
Not only is the WRAP initiative better for our planet, but it also provides evidence for being better for profit:
- Nearly 50% of consumers globally are choosing to buy from brands with a clear commitment to sustainability
- 67% of consumers consider sustainable materials to be a factor in purchasing a fashion item
- 28% of consumers would stop buying clothes from a company if they find out it is not committed to the cause
Moving towards the future
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