Our CEO, Jamie Shaw, recently spoke to Food and Drink Manufacturing UK about the role of solar energy in helping food manufacturers reduce their Scope 3 emissions. If you missed the original article, catch up below…
It is no secret that food and drink manufacturers are under increasing pressure, from both retailers and consumers, to reduce their Scope 3 emissions and foster more sustainable supply chain practices.
For instance, in December 2023, 10 major grocery retailers – including Tesco, Morrisons, Sainsbury’s, and Asda – partnered with Manufacture 2030 to help speed up supply chain decarbonisation.
And as more major supermarkets look to decrease their value chain emissions, and reduce their carbon footprint, Scope 3 emissions will continue to become a bigger topic for food manufacturers and the sites where they operate.
According to Deloitte, Scope 3 emissions can consist of up to 95% of food and drink manufacturers and retailers’ total carbon emissions. Therefore, it is no surprise that many of these companies, alongside their warehousing and logistics partners, are exploring solutions to help them decarbonise – commercial solar energy installations being one of these.
After all, with an increasing number of food manufacturers working hard to source and package food in a sustainable way, it is only natural that they want to operate from sites that can run on clean, renewable energy.
Setting a Solar Energy Example
A collaborative approach is certainly needed throughout the entire value chain if the UK’s target of reaching net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 is to be achieved.
This means food manufacturers need to ensure they are partnering with businesses that share their commitment to sustainability and carbon reduction.
Earlier this year, Shawton Energy installed a large-scale rooftop solar energy system at a Wisbech distribution centre site – owned by Knowles Logistics and operated on behalf of international food and drink group, Princes.
This will contribute to Princes’ 2030GreenGoals initiative – which outlines the Group’s ambition to become a carbon-neutral manufacturing business across its UK and international operations by 2030 – and it is also forecasted to achieve carbon savings of 135 tonnes per year.
Embracing a Brighter, More Sustainable Future
Ultimately, by adopting rooftop or ground-mounted solar energy solutions, businesses can maximise the space they have – using it to embrace a greener, renewable alternative to carbon-intensive fossil fuels.
And alongside the environmental advantages, there are also bottom-line and operational benefits. One being that on-site solar energy generation affords businesses with greater energy independence and security – safeguarding against fluctuating energy prices and future market volatility.
The result is not only reduced reliance upon the grid for meeting energy needs but cheaper energy bills too.
It also aligns with corporate social responsibility (CSR) goals, as well as positioning food and drink manufacturers as forward-thinking in their approach to helping combat climate change.
Even if they do not have the capital to invest outright, every manufacturer should be able to access sustainable infrastructure and renewable energy. That is where fully funded solutions can really support the sector.
The more companies that harness renewable energy sources, the more likely this is to have a ripple effect of best practice across the wider industry – encouraging the adoption of more efficient and sustainable energy choices across the entire social value chain.
If you’d like to find out more about our commercial solar energy solutions for the manufacturing sector, get in touch with our team, here.
