With the world’s politicians only managing to agree to talk about talks for targets for greenhouse gas emissions in Bali is it perhaps now up to individuals and businesses to take up the slack and show that we are prepared to act. 

The UK Governments are moving ahead with Climate Change Bills, aiming for legally binding agreements for between a 60% and 80% absolute emissions cut by 2050. This sounds a long time away but will ensure - in what will be an ever growing economy - a really challenging framework coming our way soon. We might as well get used to it - the futures of most EU (if not US) citizens are going to be dominated by carbon constraint. It is perhaps time to get serious about driving down our carbon footprints before it gets even harder to adjust.

As an industry-wide body the Food and Drink Federation last month launched its “Five-Fold Ambition for the Environment”, signing the whole food industry up to a 30% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2020 compared to 1990. 

At apetito we are of course supporting and moving forward on the FDF’s agenda. There are many opportunities out there for making a difference. We are making strong progress in the obvious ones like energy efficiency and keeping food miles down which are really important, but also easily won, real differences can be made through initiatives like the simple avoidance of waste. 

We are moving forward with programmes that stop waste food being sent to landfill. One excellent project we are following for instance is the diversion of short date and surplus food to a social enterprise partner, passing the food to the needy and homeless. This is not only terrifically socially responsible but saves substantial CO₂ emissions by avoiding having to grow and transport new food to feed people. This is a really nice example of the win win situations and greenhouse gas emission advantage that are out there when we make the effort to be a less wasteful society, even if our politicians are dodging the bullet somewhat!

Mark Lovett

Sustainability Manager apetito Ltd