Moving to net zero: easier said than done

According to delegates at the International Juice Conference held in the Western Cape, there is growing concern over the sustainability of food production

- Glenneis Kriel

Rising concern over the sustainability of food systems will having a growing impact on food production and packaging practices. This is according to various speakers at the International Juice Conference recently held in Somerset West in the Western Cape.

Linda Drummond, legal administrator at the Consumer Goods Council of South Africa, said a concerted effort was needed if the United Nations member states, which included South Africa, wanted to reach the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) set for 2030. She pointed out that COVID-19, the war in Ukraine and climate-related emergencies had impeded progress to achieve many targets, including poverty alleviation, food security, and the sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems and oceans, seas and marine resources.

Drummond highlighted that, on average, 13,3% of the food produced in all countries was lost on the way to retail markets, while 17% was wasted at consumer level.

She said businesses should review the SDG goals that were most applicable to them, along with the relevant indicators, and assess whether their practices were hindering or supporting the achievement of these goals.