A guide to help food & drink businesses understand and move towards net zero emissions has been published by Scotland Food & Drink.
Called ‘Navigating Net Zero Handbook’, the guide, which is available to download for free, breaks down key net zero terms and offers practical advice to support businesses of all sizes in their sustainability efforts. This resource is essential for equipping companies with the knowledge they need to join industry peers in achieving climate change goals, the organisation said.
This includes:
- Understanding what net zero means
- The agreements and pledges in place that companies are aiming for
- The different types of emissions, such as baseline and scope 1, 2 and 3
- Different types of renewable energy and how to utilise it
- And, why navigating net zero should matter to businesses.
Achieving net zero emissions is crucial for curbing global warming and keeping Scottish businesses competitive worldwide, Scotland Food & Drink added. A recent PwC survey found that 80% of consumers are willing to pay a premium for sustainably produced goods, indicating a readiness to spend nearly 10% more on environmentally friendly products.
In addition, VisitScotland’s 2023 Visitor Survey revealed that 46% of visitors enjoy food and drink activities, and 19% of long-distance travellers specifically choose Scotland for its culinary offerings, meaning the need for Scottish businesses to meet their sustainability goals is evident.
Scotland Food & Drink is the leadership organisation that is responsible for the delivery of the 10-year national food and drink strategy ‘Sustaining Scotland. Supplying the World’. Notably, it is in the process of recruiting businesses for a pilot training programme aimed at enhancing food & drink experiences across the country to encourage more visitors to interact with the industry.
“As members of the food and drink industry, it is crucial that we take proactive steps to reduce our carbon footprint and contribute to the global effort against climate change,” said FDF Net Zero programme director Iain Clunie.
“Understanding the language around emissions and Net Zero is vital for driving real change in Scotland’s food and drink industry. By knowing and understanding these key terms, businesses can better engage in conversations, interpret data, and make informed sustainability decisions.”
Net zero remains high on the agenda for companies of all sizes, with many of the baking industry’s larger firms including them in their ESG targets. Baker & Baker, The Compleat Food Group, and Premier Foods are among them.
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