On the anniversary of its Net Zero Transition Plan for the UK, IGD has announced the launch of a new framework to better integrate sustainability into businesses
A year since IGD launched its pivotal roadmap, ‘A Net Zero Transition Plan for the UK Food System’, developed along with Wrap and EY, the company has announced the introduction of a new Food Supply Chain Sustainability Framework, offering guidance to better integrate sustainability into businesses and identify priorities.
Building on the evidence of last year’s plan, the new framework, developed by IGD in collaboration with food manufacturers Bakkavor, The Billington Group, The Compleat Food Group, Greencore, Premier Foods and Samworth Brothers, aims to support further progress.
“As a group of manufacturers working with IGD, we see this framework and guidance as a first step to supporting sustainability commitments as part of joint business planning, making it easier for procurement teams and both businesses in a commercial supply chain relationship,” the group said. “We hope next year to expand this to other sectors.”
The framework aims to help customers and suppliers work toward sustainability goals. It draws upon the FDF Ambition 2030 action pillars and extensive consultation with suppliers, NGOs, experts, procurement teams within manufacturers and suppliers, to inform the guidance. The aim is to enable businesses to better identify priorities, streamline supplier engagement and more effectively integrate sustainability into procurement.
Kirsty Saddler, director of health and sustainability programmes at IGD, commented: “We recognise that creating a sustainable, healthy and resilient UK food system demands greater cross-industry collaboration and practical action. The launch of A Net Zero Transition Plan provided the technical evidence needed, but over the last year we’ve worked to move that forward into action.
“The introduction of the Food Supply Chain Sustainability Framework is an important step in driving collaborative progress and while it has been developed with manufacturers, we believe this can support supplier and customer relationships across every part of the supply chain, to reduce emissions. Together, we are building the pathways and the confidence needed to invest in a more meaningful, sustainable change for our industry and our communities.”
This year, IGD is continuing to work with the Net Zero Council and Wrap to develop an action framework for the food system to achieve Net Zero, to be released in the new year.
A progress report on the Net Zero Transition plan is set to be followed in December by an evidence-based report from Wrap giving the latest view on emissions, identifying gaps and making updated appeals for action.
