Energy represents more than 75% of EU greenhouse gas emissions and as one of the largest manufacturing sectors in Europe, the entire food and drink chain is a major energy user.
The emissions impact of food processing depends on the different methods of processing, with simply chopping and packing having a lower impact and energy-use than heating and cooling.
By integrating climate change in their business strategies, European food and drink manufacturers have achieved a 21% reduction in carbon emissions per unit of value added between 2008 and 2018, that is to say, the industry is getting more efficient at producing food and drink products.
And between 2000 and 2015, the food industry cut its energy consumption by nearly 20%.
But there is more to do, that's why the industry is investing heavily in renewable energy sources and in the circular economy, to preserve the value of the resources that go into making our food and drink products.
Food processing at scale allows us to divert waste streams and by-products for re-use in the production cycle, whether its grain husks fuelling a biomass boiler, or harvesting residual heat from cooking to use in other parts of the production.