British food and drinks giants join WRAP’s Scope 3 emissions reporting pilot

A total of 15 food and drinks companies, including ABP, Sainsbury’s and Tesco, have signed up to WRAP’s new initiative to test protocols to accelerate progress on Scope 3 emissions reporting across the industry.

It has published the Courtauld 2030 Scope 3 Measurement & Reporting Protocols for UK Food & Drink businesses, which will initially be adopted by firms that also include ABWF, Albert Bartlett, Apetito, AVARA, Barfoots, Bidfood (with CI support), CH&Co, Hilton Food Group plc, Kepak and Westmill.

All the businesses signing up to the pilot are supporting WRAP’S Courtauld 2030 commitment, which requires emissions associated with food and drinks consumed in the UK to be halved by 2030, against a 2015 baseline.

According to WRAP, food production and consumption are responsible for around 30% of global greenhouse gas emissions and by creating space for agriculture, it also contributes to between 60% to 80% of biodiversity loss through the destruction of natural habitats.

The new Protocols are expected to give businesses a consistent methodology for measuring and tracking their progress in reducing supply chain emissions.

WRAP believes the “market-first” Protocols will mean faster progress towards achieving the Courtauld 2050 target of a 50% absolute reduction in emissions by 2030.

Marcus Gover, WRAP CEO: “WRAP’s new Protocols give businesses a consistent way of quantifying supply chain emissions and the confidence of a uniform way of comparing products and value chains. They provide a solution for investors who want assurance that they are investing in sustainably minded businesses and help citizens who want to align their purchases with their values by helping businesses be clear, transparent and able to report publicly their Scope 3 emissions.

“We will not fix climate change until we fix the food system. By listening to the voice of the food and drink industry, WRAP is playing a major role in changing the way food is produced, to deliver a more sustainable food system.”

In addition, WRAP believes the “unique” body of work has the potential to inform a more international approach towards consistent measuring and reporting of Scope 3 emissions.

Jo Churchill, Minister for Climate Adaptation welcomed the initiative: “The food sector is already leading the way in tackling climate change, from farm to fork, delivering more sustainable ways to cut food waste.

“WRAP’s new guidance will help food and drink businesses go further and do all that they can to reduce emissions in their supply chains.”

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