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Carbon-footprint, sustainability, the environment – these are the topics of focus for many businesses and households across the globe. Due to the heightened urgency of curbing carbon emissions, many organisations worldwide are ensuring they are doing their bit for the environment; but how does this apply to the Food and Pharmaceutical Industry?

In a study carried out within the Journal of Cleaner Production it is indicated that the pharmaceutical Industry is significantly more emission-intensive than the automotive industry. Glaxo Smith Kline revealed in its 2010 Sustainability report that approximately 40% of its total Carbon Footprint was a result of indirect emissions from the use of their products. In addition the UK food and drink Industry generates circa 20% greenhouse gas emissions and almost £800m on energy per year.

It is evident from these statistics that the food and pharmaceutical industry should be taking every opportunity to take a prominent role in energy saving and being more environmentally aware in their procedures. There are many organisations who are doing their bit and one way in which this issue has been addressed is in the construction of facilities within the Food & Pharma industries. Whilst one of the greatest barriers to sustainable construction is cost we are seeing some large organisations building new facilities that are essentially sustainable focused.

Below are other examples of the positive work being done by a number of organisations to become more sustainable:

  • Vetter Works – All German sites with immediate effect will be supplied with only C02 neutral energy from certified renewable energy sources
  • Indorama Ventures – increased recycled content and minimised environmental footprint thus winning Coca Cola Sustainability Award
  • Biogen – Announced it achieved carbon neutrality by reducing its own emissions and investing in environmental projects

With such forward thinking companies making genuine changes to their policies and investing in making their business more environmentally friendly they differentiate themselves and generate great credibility. Sustainability faces every company and with these fundamental energy saving costs being made within new and existing food and pharma, the Government target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 80% in the built environment by 2050 may be achieved.

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