There is a huge variation in average emission ratings for various commodities. For example, this table
shows the variations in CO²e emissions involved in just lamb and beef, with carbon sequestration having
a huge role to play in lowering emissions.
The use of an agreed, trusted and credible
database for generic GHG emissions per
commodity, where product-specific
information isn't available. These rely largely on
common management measures that are easily
benchmarked. For example, in meat production,
factors such as nitrogen use efficiency, feed
conversion ratio, footprint of feed, age at
slaughter, energy use efficiency, % renewables,
on-farm losses/mortality are all reliable indicators
of footprint.
So, we're participating in working groups focusing on 2 issues:
Centre for Innovation
Excellence in Livestock (CIEL)
Hill Sheep
Upland Sheep
Bangor University
10.5
7.6
Lowland Sheep
Hill Beef
Upland Beef
Lowland Beef
Emissions (kg CO²e /kg
product) Including
sequestration
Emissions (kg CO²e /kg
product) Without
sequestration effect
9.5
10.7
8.8
13.7
Emissions (kg/CO²e liveweight)
Without sequestration effect
12.5
10.1
11.5
14.0
11.7
15.5
12.9
17.9
10.9
21.24 / 16.05
A harmonised 'ask' for suppliers, to
standardise and simplify the data burden on
suppliers, as well as creating a more level
playing field so that we compare like for like.
This is needed throughout food supply chains.
For example, currently, farm footprinting tools
give different answers, so there is a DEFRA
project ongoing to diagnose and consider
solutions for this.Source: HCC using data from the commissioned research from Bangor University in collaboration
with the University of Limerick and from CIEL. Net zero carbon and UK Livestock 2020.
Our progress in the last year on these issues has
included supporting a collaboration between
3Keel and WRAP; a research project which is
reaching out to our suppliers of our top nine
imported products and assessing the challenges
involved in our proposed CO²e measurement
and reporting. Our customers can be reassured
that we are working hard to drive progress in
this area, to drive up standards in accurate CO²e
reporting. In the meantime, customers might be
interested in accessing a range of databases
listing the carbon footprint of a range of
commodities. Click here to find out more
Our progress in the last year on these issues has
included supporting a collaboration between
3Keel and WRAP; a research project which is
reaching out to our suppliers of our top nine
imported products and assessing the challenges
involved in our proposed CO²e measurement
and reporting. Our customers can be reassured
that we are working hard to drive progress in
this area, to drive up standards in accurate CO²e
reporting. In the meantime, customers might be
interested in accessing a range of databases
listing the carbon footprint of a range of
commodities. Click here to find out more