The number of UK consumers concerned about food miles has nearly doubled
in the last five years
The number of UK consumers concerned about food miles has nearly doubled in
the last five years, according to the latest research from international food
and grocery expert IGD.
One in six Britons (16%) now say the distance food travels is one of their
top five concerns about food production, up from 9% in 2003, according to
Shopper Trends – Five Years On, IGD’s latest research into consumer behaviour.
“The food miles debate has helped to reignite our interest in where food
comes from and how it is produced, but food miles don’t tell the whole story
about the environmental impact of food and drink products,” says Joanne
Denney-Finch, Chief Executive, IGD.
“On average, transportation accounts for only 13% of carbon emissions in the
food chain,” she says.
“Because of the complexity, IGD is helping the British Standards Institute,
the Carbon Trust, Defra and the food industry to prepare a common methodology
for measuring carbon emissions and leading sustainable distribution initiatives
to reduce the environmental, economic and social impacts of food distribution.
“The challenge for the industry is to measure total greenhouse emissions,
including embedded carbon, accurately, and factor in other environmental and
social impacts such as the amount of energy and water used or animal welfare.”
Denney-Finch says being transparent and telling a compelling and credible
story about how and where products are produced can help address consumer
concerns about climate change.
“Demonstrating provenance is becoming hugely important to discerning UK
shoppers. Expect to see this story-telling happening in increasingly innovative
ways throughout 2008,” she concludes.
Ends
Notes to Editors:
IGD provides information, insight and best practice to the food and
grocery industry worldwide. Visit www.igd.com.
IGD is helping the industry to prepare a common methodology for measuring
embedded carbon, and leading initiatives to help reduce the environmental,
economic and social impacts of food distribution.
