Ambition 2030: a vision with a manufacturing future

The Food and Drink Federation recently launched its latest sustainability strategy, Ambition 2030 to ensure the need for a united approach across the entire food system to tackle the impacts of climate change on food production.

I was delighted to read Karen Betts’ speech on the FDF’s ambition. The chief executive outlined the federation’s five priorities for supporting climate action. Central to its vision is an approach that emphasises a response to the causes and consequences of climate change. Where we (as an industry) reduce, as far as possible, greenhouse gas emissions. In essence: restore nature and biodiversity; reduce, reuse and recycle packaging; make healthier diets more accessible in addition to reimagining and reengineering how we feed the world’s growing population in a “resilient and sustainable way”.

Crucially, she argued that for many food and drink manufacturing businesses, the complex has to be made simple. There’s no reason action on climate and nature shouldn’t be hardwired into the manufacturing process where possible, but there have to be benefits and support universally available. Betts stressed that empowering businesses is not optional, but essential for effective climate action, calling for support to implement the right environmental sustainability actions in place as well as accessing practical guidance and spreading costs in a manageable way.

“But we also know that, in itself, it isn’t enough,” Betts said. What’s paramount is what comes next. What happens after 2030?

Years ago, setting ambitious emissions reduction goals was laudable and market-leading. Today, with 2030 in sight and future planning likely to determine the final destination, the FDF is setting in train a “broader, more strategic roadmap” that “sets the direction, timeframe, and collective effort” needed to achieve the ultimate change we need to see.

In addressing the Government, and its ‘food systems review’, the FDF says a new food strategy needs to set out – no less than: vision; options and solutions; action; and a platform for collaboration.

For now, it’s still unclear whether businesses will be able to keep up with the increased demand for sustainability, but the future looks better than it did just a decade ago. After all, it’s likely that sustainable business practices will continue to be more important to overall performance, and early adopters will be one step ahead of the competition if they have prepared properly.

Measurable change is the most important aspect. In the future, sustainable businesses are likely to focus more on traceability and transparency in their supply chains. As always, the business world is changing to shape the needs of the modern world, as they work on integrating sustainability principles into their ways of working. Regulatory requirements will also have to be analysed, otherwise there’s little chance of real change.

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