We are pleased to announce we are one of the founding signatories of The Courtauld Commitment 2025, which launched nationally on 15th March 2016.
The Courtauld Commitment 2025 is a world-leading ten year voluntary agreement that brings together leading organisations from across the Foodservice Industry to tackle waste levels, greenhouse gas emissions and water intensity. All those involved will work collaboratively to reach the shared ambition of cutting the resources needed to provide food and drink in the UK by one-fifth in the next decade.
Launched by sustainability charity WRAP, the commitment will drive best practice through its innovative whole-system approach to the way food and drink is produced, sold and consumed in the UK. The member organisations will work collectively to meet common goals, these include providing lower impact products more efficiently, helping consumers and businesses get more value from the food and drink they buy, and finding innovative ways to use remaining waste and surplus food. WRAP estimates that meeting the Commitment targets will deliver £20 billion worth of savings to the UK economy.
Julie Barker, Chair of TUCO, said: “Sustainability remains a hugely important issue for our members and indeed the Industry. As an organisation we strive to lead the way on finding innovative solutions to the widespread challenges and our commitment to Courtauld 2025 is a key part of this programme.
“As part of TUCO’s involvement, we hope to harness the efforts and passion already demonstrated by member institutions, encouraging them to go one step further, reducing waste even further, recycling more and together, reaping the significant environmental and financial rewards.”
Richard Swannell, Director of Sustainable Food Systems at WRAP, said: “Courtauld 2025 is our most ambitious agreement yet and we are delighted that TUCO has pledged their support as a signatory. We are faced with some big challenges ahead with rising populations, climate change and dwindling resources, but tackling food waste offers a practical option to address these challenges and in doing so, will create new opportunities. Only by working together can we hope to realise the big changes that are essential to ensuring a more prosperous future for individuals, businesses and the planet.”
Included in The Courtauld Commitment’s shared ambition is the aim to reduce food and drink waste by 20%, cut the GHG intensity of food and drink consumed in the UK by 20%, and drive a decrease in the impact associated with water use in the supply chain. In doing this the member organisations hope to contribute to achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goal 12.3 to lessen food waste by 2030.
To get involved and join the conversation follow #Courtauld2025 on Twitter or visit the WRAP website for details on Courtauld.