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CARBON FOOTPRINTING IN THE FOOD CHAIN

“Assessing a carbon footprint can identify opportunities and priorities for business to significantly improve productive efficiency, energy efficiency and waste minimisation, thereby saving costs”  James Clarke, ADAS Science and Business Development Manager

What is a carbon footprint?

The greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of a product or organisation, usually expressed as the total GHG emissions in units of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO₂e).  This is a shorthand way of expressing the total impact of all greenhouse gases (including methane and nitrous oxide) produced by a process, product or activity during production, manufacturing, distribution, retailing, consumer use and disposal. 

A major part of the carbon footprint of food is often from primary production with major contributions from the use of fertilisers to grow crops and the output of greenhouse gases from livestock systems. 

How can a carbon footprint help you?                 

Most scientists now agree that reducing our carbon footprint is good for the environment. 

Measuring your carbon footprint is the first step to reducing it.  Key contributors to a carbon footprint are poor production efficiency, high energy use and waste.  Improving production whilst reducing waste and energy use will normally lead to improved business performance as well as helping the environment.

It is also becoming important for businesses to demonstrate their commitment to reducing environmental impacts. Cost savings to the business can be achieved through improved production and process efficiency, retail customers may be asking suppliers to commit to carbon footprinting and stakeholders within the business may require the company to improve its environmental credentials.

What can ADAS offer?

ADAS is leading projects which are developing GHG methodologies and mitigation measures for food production and agriculture generally, most notably through its involvement for Defra in testing the BSI Publicly Available Specification for the assessment of the life cycle greenhouse gas emissions of goods and services (PAS 2050).

The ADAS work involved making recommendations to improve the draft BSI methodology for GHG assessment on a range of simple and complex foods.  Key to this is understanding the production processes of crops and animals from a range of different production systems including intensive, extensive and organic.

The PAS 2050 is also being tested on products through the food manufacturing stage by Campden BRI (formerly CCFRA). Their focus is on highly processed foods requiring high temperature processing and/or refrigeration.

By applying the PAS 2050 method at each stage of the supply chain it will be possible for organisations to calculate both direct and indirect GHG emissions of their food products, which can be used to target where GHG emission reductions can be made.

In addition to this work, in partnership with the Centre for Sustainable Accounting (CenSA), ADAS uses a footprint modelling programme called Bottomline3 UK.  The model works to rapidly analyse the direct and indirect economic, environmental and social impacts of an organisation’s operations. Bottomline3 UK uses a different approach to the PAS 2050 methodology where financial accounts are used to assess both direct and indirect, embodied energy use and the resulting GHG emissions. Bottomline3 UK is best suited to footprinting businesses whereas, PAS 2050 is more appropriate for assessing the carbon footprint of a product.

This range of experience and expertise makes ADAS uniquely placed to help businesses determine, analyse and improve the carbon footprint of their organisation or product.

How can ADAS help your business?

ADAS’s background in land-based consulting and research, its involvement in scientific research on GHG emissions and its lead position in the development of the BSI methodology gives it a unique and knowledgeable perspective on all these issues.  We are working with Campden BRI to offer a service covering the whole food supply chain. Click here to see the service we have developed with Campden BRI.

 Carbon Solutions Delivered^TM

Carbon Solutions Delivered^TM is the name for a group of three linked but independent products which ADAS provides to its clients.

1. For products – we will derive a carbon footprint and identify carbon ‘hotspots’ within the supply chain and manufacturing process to enable clients to focus on the ‘big’ carbon numbers first.  This can deliver real, tangible savings from the outset.

2. For organisations and businesses - we will calculate the total footprint for a company and make recommendations for improvement as a Carbon Management Plan. We can put this plan at the core of a company or organisation’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities, or help to build a tailored CSR process around it.

3. Delivering solutions – we work with clients to implement, manage and monitor the process of improving their footprint and realising the opportunities for improved profitability and reduced environmental impact within a wider CSR approach.  Using ADAS specialists production efficiency, energy efficiency and waste minimisation and utilization we offer a complete service. 

Environmental Consultancy | Agricultural Consultancy | Environment Consultancy