The challenge of climate & decarbonisation
We acknowledge that the packaging industry has a role in driving climate change action. Although food systems1 are essential to feed the modern world, they are accountable for more than one-third of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions2.
With an expanding population, the demand for food is rising fast. But increasing food production has the risk of putting more pressure on limited resources like land, water and energy – impacting nature and warming the planet even more3. That is why the food industry needs to urgently step up to this challenge and reduce its environmental impact at every step of the food value chain.
1Food systems refer to all the elements and activities related to producing and consuming food, and their effects, including economic, health and environmental outcomes. Source: https://www.oecd.org/food-systems/
2 FAO (2022) https://openknowledge.fao.org/server/api/core/bitstreams/121cc613-3d0f-431c-b083-cc2031dd8826/content
3Arthur, C. (2021). New research shows food system is responsible for a third of global anthropogenic emissions. Source: Unido.org
4Based on climate accounting internal calculations (volume x emission factor) considering 56.9 kilo tonnes of plant-based plastic purchased in 2024. To calculate the avoided emissions number, we use a third-party emission factor for the plant-based polymers from public available lifecycle assessment by Braskem. Source: PE-Im-green-bio-based-LCA-Results-SUMMARY-ENG.pdf
5Based on climate accounting internal calculations considering 59-kilo tonnes of plant-based plastic purchased in 2021. To calculate the avoided emissions number, we use a third-party validated emission factor for the plant-based polymers.
6This means creating cartons that are fully made of renewable or recycled materials, that are responsibly sourced, thereby helping to protect and restore our planet's climate, resources and biodiversity; contributing towards carbon-neutral production and distribution; are convenient and safe, therefore helping to enable a resilient food system; and are fully recyclable.
7Ellen MacArthur Foundation. (2022). Circular Economy Introduction. Source: Ellenmacarthurfoundation.org, What is a circular economy? | Ellen MacArthur Foundation
8Sustainable food systems mean growing, producing, processing, packaging, distributing and consuming food without negatively impacting the planet. Retrieved from OECD. (2019). Accelerating Climate Action. Source: OECD iLibrary.