New initiatives to cut carbon
The Carbon Trust is extending its work with processors on a host of initiatives, many of which are expected to yield data some time in the spring.
Projects are underway with PepsiCo, focusing on the carbon footprint of its cereal brand Quaker Oats, with a view to adopting the Trust's Carbon Reduction Label. Work has also begun with Coca-Cola, PepsiCo and Danone internationally to standardise global data.
"We've used UK projects as a proving ground," said Carbon Trust strategy manager, Euan Murray. "PepsiCo is looking at Tropicana in the US and other projects will follow. We're working with Coca-Cola on a number of products."
PepsiCo UK & Ireland has pledged to cut carbon emissions in production by converting energy used in direct operations to renewable sources within 15 years. It also aims to increase the electricity it uses from renewable sources from 8% to 14% and cut energy use by 20% per kg of production within three years.
Murray said Walkers Crisps was approaching the two-year review of its Carbon Reduction Label with the Carbon Trust. Under the terms of the deal, the manufacturer must have made further reductions during that time frame or it loses the right to use the label.
"Danone wants to track its products in all the main markets in which it operates and manage emissions as a consolidated activity," said Murray.
Additional initiatives involved work with brewers such as Scottish & Newcastle on its Bulmers cider and Fosters lager brands, and Coors Brewers on its Carling brand.
"We want this to be a transition from something that firms watch per year to something that's in their DNA - part of how they make decisions on a day-to-day basis," said Murray. Many projects would culminate in the spring.
The Trust was also working closely with firms in the dairy industry to measure producers' and processors' greenhouse gas emissions.
"We're working with Sainsbury and Associated British Agriculture [the agriculture group of Associated British Foods] to identify the difference in the carbon footprint of individual farmer producers," added Murray.
Rainfall levels, soils, types of vegetation eaten by cows and fertilisers used had an impact, as they influenced the amount of methane they expelled, he said.
