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The UK’s greenhouse gas emissions from food

account for at least a fifth of total emissions.61 _{In the}

context of this report, SDC has gathered evidence from the supermarkets themselves to test whether the broad range of government policy in this highly complex area, is achieving its goal with this particular sector.

Tackling greenhouse gas emission reductions can be achieved through concentrating policy upstream in food production and processing, through the retailers, or downstream with consumers. In SDC’s view all elements of this supply chain need to be incentivised to reduce emissions, as the urgency of the climate change problem, and the need for early action (to reduce emissions and costs later) requires a holistic approach.

Our research with supermarkets revealed that from their perspective, there is an inconsistency in coverage and approach to reducing their emissions. Supermarkets recognised the policies directed at reducing their emissions (the emissions trading through the proposed Carbon Reduction Commitment, the building labelling required under the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive,

the fiscal and market transformation programme focused on specific energy saving technologies), but

they felt that their extensive transport requirements were not being given similar attention. So although

the overall cost of transport fuel may fluctuate with

global energy prices and taxation, supermarkets do not perceive a climate change policy focus to this particular element of their operations. Improved

efficiencies that are stimulated by increased

transport fuel costs, are not seen by supermarkets primarily as an effort to reduce their emissions,

more as normal business efficiency practice. From

their perspective a set of policies for tackling climate change from transport emissions should be more comprehensive, structured and offering incentives – perhaps focusing on technology shifts (to low carbon vehicles), low carbon fuels, more leadership

on efficiencies and driver behaviour, and incentives

for using rail freight rather than road.

This is mainly from emissions of nitrous oxide (largely from fertiliser use, both inorganic and organic, on food and feed crops) and methane emissions from ruminant animals (primarily dairy cows, beef cattle and sheep) rather than carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuels.64 _{UN Food and}

Agriculture Organisation reports that the livestock sector globally generates more greenhouse gas emissions as measured in CO₂ equivalent, 18%, than transport.65

For plant-based food and drink products, the greatest global warming potential is from energy used during refrigeration, storage, processing and transport.66

Greenhouse gas emissions vary by foods but ‘hotspots’ include:67

• Meat and dairy production (accounting for 8%

of total UK emissions)

• Glasshouse vegetables • Air-freighted fresh produce • Heavily processed foods

• Refrigeration (energy use and impact from

refrigerant gases e.g. HFCs).

Food retail has been estimated to account for 0.9% of total UK GHG emission through use of lighting, heating, cold stores and on-shelf refrigeration68 _and

approximately 5% of total food-related emissions.

Of greater significance are emissions from energy

used elsewhere in the food chain, including agricultural inputs, food manufacture, transport, storage, distribution, refrigeration and packaging.

Home use of energy for cooking is also significant.

The external cost of food transport has been estimated at between £1.9 billion and £4 billion, with social costs from congestion, accidents, greenhouse gas emissions, air and noise pollution, and infrastructure wear and tear.69 _{HGV transport}

is estimated to contribute 45% of the carbon dioxide emissions from food transport, air and sea approximately 13% each, and consumer car food shopping 21%.70 _{Between 1992 and 2005, urban}

food vehicle-kilometres (km) increased by 27%, due largely to an increase in shopping for food by

4.2.1 Climate Change

What is the issue?

Sustainable Development Commission Green, healthy and fair. 41 Figure 5 Food consumption-related UK greenhouse gas emissions

Source: Food Climate Research Network (2007). Adapted from figures for overall UK consumption-related GHGs (work in progress).

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from frequent use of local shops towards less frequent use of out-of-town supermarkets.

The Stern Review72 _{concluded that the benefits of}

strong and early action to mitigate climate change far outweigh the economic costs of not acting.

The costs and impacts of inaction are equivalent to losing between 5% and 20% of global GDP each year, against a projected cost of action to avoid the worst impacts of climate change of 1% global GDP per year.

The UK government is committed to reducing greenhouse gases to 12.5% below 1990 levels by 2008-12 in line with its Kyoto Protocol commitment, and additionally to reducing carbon dioxide by 60% on 1990 levels by 2050.73 _{It is proposed these}

targets are enshrined within the Climate Change Bill,74 _{making the UK the first country to have a}

legally-binding long-term framework to cut carbon

emissions and adapt to climate change. Government

has yet to respond to international scientific

consensus that an 80%, rather than 60%, reduction by 2050 is needed.75

The UK’s climate change targets apply across the devolved nations, but Scotland and Wales are also developing their own targets in addition to their responsibilities to meet the UK-wide commitments.