2020
Last week, a conference on the future of forestry was held, with representatives from both the Commission and Parliament. The possibility of introducing a European Forestry Policy was discussed. Pascal Canfin (FR, Renew Europe), chairman of the EP Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety, said that EU Forest Policy should be based on two pillars – on protection, and on the sustainable identification of parts of forests that will not be protected in order to ensure balance. On average, according to Canfin, 30% of marine and terrestrial areas should be protected, which should also be a target in third countries. According to Canfin, a sustainable business model for agroforestry and forest protection has economic added value. The conference focused on preventing global deforestation, which should be supported by the introduction of mandatory labelling schemes, due diligence systems or voluntary commitments.
More information is available here.
2020
Green Alliance, an independent think-tank, published in the past month a report entitled ‘Plastic Promises’ focused on replacing plastic packaging with cardboard or glass packaging. According to Green Alliance, the risk of this move is consumers’ perception that by replacing plastic packaging with glass or cardboard packaging, we will support the sustainability of the whole system. Green Alliance points out that the preference of cardboard and glass packaging may have a greater impact on the carbon footprint. Therefore, current standards of what is biological material, biodegradable material and compostable material should be reviewed to avoid further consumer confusion. The Green Alliance has supported the move from plastic packaging to pulp-based packaging, according to the results of a Swedish study, up to 25% of food and drink packaging could already be replaced by these packaging today.
More information is available here.
2020
Israeli start-up Yofix Probiotics produces yoghurt alternatives made from oatmeal, lentils, sunflower seeds, sesame seeds and coconut. Yofix last week managed to secure a fund to support the global expansion of plant-based yogurt alternatives, the total amount of the fund is $ 2.5 million, and is co-financed by large dairy products Müller and Bel Group (La vache qui rit, Babybel, Kiri). Yofix production, in addition to purely plant ingredients, is carried out using the zero-waste method. Yofix is produced in three flavours (berry fruit, apple and cinnamon, bananas and maple syrup), is vegan and lactose-free. Bel Group said that by supporting a new start-up, it aims to approach new trends and develop innovations for its own production.
More information is available here.
2020
The French company Danone is one of only 6 companies, selected from around 8,400, who received a AAA score from the CDP (Carbon Disclosure Project). The non-profit organization CDP gave the company a high mark for its efforts in environmental protection, climate protection or in combating deforestation. Danone has set mid-term carbon reduction targets after 2030 as part of its commitment to carbon neutrality throughout the value chain by 2050.
More information is available here.
2020
Nestlé has recently confirmed an increase in investment in the processing and production of recycled food plastics to replace non-recycled packaging with recycled packaging by 2025, achieving the company's carbon neutrality by 2050. Nestlé (but also Danone, Carrefour, or Intermarché) has also recently joined the initiative of the Danish company 'Too Good To Go', which is fighting food waste by raising awareness and understanding of the date of food consumption. According to the Commission, misunderstanding of the use-by date leads to up to 20% of household food waste, up to 53% of Europeans do not recognize the difference between the terms 'best by' and 'use by'.
More information is available here.