The priorities of the ‘Just Transition’ programme of federal minister Khattabi include more environment-friendly methods and processes and combatting food waste”, says Ann Nachtergaele of Fevia.

Zakia Khattabi, Federal Minister of Climate, the Environment, Sustainable Development and the Green Deal, has earmarked food and agriculture as one of the key themes of her ‘Just Transition’ programme. Academics, governments, civilians and civil society were consulted. One of the conclusions: food systems are increasingly coming under pressure due to climate change. As a result there are periods in which food production, the agrifood chain and food security are at risk. “To meet the objectives for climate neutrality by 2050, all Belgian industries must bolster their efforts”, says Ann Nachtergaele, Food Production & Consumption Director of the federation of the Belgian food industry.

Sustainability road map

“As food industry we didn’t wait for this conference to take our responsibility”, Nachtergaele continues. “For many years now, our companies have been undertaking numerous initiatives to use less water, reduce food waste in our businesses and also to reduce the CO2 footprint of our production.” 

In its road map for a more sustainable food industry, the federation has set concrete short-term objectives, such as -20% water use or -30% CO2 emissions by 2025. “How do we do this? By focusing on efficiency, innovation and collaboration. Partnerships with our food companies but also across the chain and with the public or academic sector are crucial”, Nachtergaele adds. The road map ‘What will we eat tomorrow’ contains numerous examples. 

Flemish and Walloon governments 

Nachtergaele: “We work with the Flemish and Walloon governments and other industrial sectors to elaborate better CO2 and energy efficiency goals for the energy efficiency agreements. Together with our innovation hubs Flanders’ FOOD and Wagralim, we are looking into how we can launch projects to better recover and reuse organic streams that are part of the food chain.” 

Hybrid measures 

The conference also emphasises the importance of sustainable thinking, an economy with a healthy balance between social and ecological benefits. On this subject, Nachtergaele notes: “You can’t achieve real progress by focusing on a healthier environment alone or you’ll end up with a policy that excludes certain groups. That is why Fevia opts for a hybrid set of actions. To reduce food waste we not only focus on reusing organic streams but we also explore ways to donate high-quality but unmarketable food products to vulnerable groups. For instance, we have a project in tandem with the Belgian Federation of Food Banks and we stimulate food companies to make donations.” 

www.fevia.be  

www.fevia.be/nl/duurzaamheidsroadmap  

www.justtransition.be