County Council signs up to agreement to reduce food and drink waste

It sets a target of a 50% reduction of greenhouse gases produced by the making and eating of food and drink by 2030.

Leicestershire County Council has signed up to the Courtauld agreement – led by the Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP). #

The ten-year voluntary agreement brings together organisations across the food system – from producer to consumer – to make food and drink production more sustainable.

The Courtauld agreement is now stepping up a gear to ensure the targets highlight the links between greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, water consumption and waste challenges ahead of the year 2030.

The new targets set out in the agreement are:

• 50 per cent reduction in food and drink waste in the UK per person (against a 2007 baseline);
• 50 per cent absolute reduction in the GHG emissions associated with the production and consumption of food and drink in the UK;
• 50 per cent of fresh food is sourced from areas with sustainable water management. 

Councillor Blake Pain, cabinet member for the environment and green agenda, said: “As we look ahead to the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) later in the year, and work towards our target to become a net zero county by 2045, it’s important that both the council and its residents look to reduce their food waste, greenhouse gas emissions and water consumption, in line with the Courtauld 2030 targets.

“Everyone can help to raise awareness of these issues and together we can do our bit to combat climate change locally to create a cleaner, greener and healthier Leicestershire.”