A new Courtauld Commitment to reduce the resource intensity of the UK’s food and drink by one fifth has been launched by WRAP.
On behalf of the UK Government and devolved administrations, WRAP has launched Courtauld Commitment 2025 that has 98 signatories and aims to save £20 billion by 2025.
All major UK retailers, plus brands, food service companies, trade bodies and local authorities have signed up.
The commitment has three ambitious targets, which are:
- A 20% reduction in food and drink waste arising in the UK
- A 20% reduction in greenhouse gas intensity of food and drink consumed in the UK
- A reduction in impact associated with water use in the supply chain.
Under the commitment, best practice will be driven through a system-wide approach to the way food and drink is produced, sold and consumed in the UK.
For the first time it will bring all parties together under one voluntary agreement to achieve collective goals.
Signatories will work together with WRAP to identify new actions and opportunities to share resources which can be shared across the entire supply chain, to make the whole system more sustainable and resilient to supply chain disruptions.
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WRAP director of sustainable food systems Richard Swannell said: “The pressures of resource scarcity, population growth and our changing climate will have profound effects on our food supply in the coming years, and business efficiency.
“To safeguard UK food we need a step-change to increase sustainable food and drink production and consumption, conserve resources and combat climate change. Courtauld 2025 will do this.
“Collaboration has never been more important, which is why I want to thank the businesses and organisations that have committed to taking action. This is an ambitious undertaking and having key signatories on board on day one puts us in a strong position at the start of this new era for our food industry.
“I look forward to welcoming other leading organisations as signatories over the coming weeks, months and years and delivering this ambitious agreement.”
