World Water Day 2014: Europe’s food & drink
manufacturers working towards water sustainability
(Brussels, 20 March 2014) With this year's World Water Day, on March 22, focusing on
raising awareness of the inter-linkages between water and energy, Europe’s food and drink
industry reaffirms its commitment to contribute to a water and energy efficient food supply
chain.
In 20 years’ time, demand for water will be 40% higher than it is today and freshwater use is
expected to exceed natural renewal by over 60%1.Sustainable water management is key for
the food and drink industry and requires shared responsibility along the chain. Europe’s food
and drink industry has a minimal direct impact in terms of water consumption (approximately
1.8% of total water use by European industries); nevertheless it is continuously striving to
achieve measurable water reduction, waste water quality, better water re-use and water
recovery, from the factory level to the final product.
Europe’s food and drink manufacturers are actively involved in many water stewardship
initiatives, such as partnering with local communities and engaging with a wide range of
stakeholders, from farmers through NGOs and governments to other private sector actors
across the supply chain.
In the context of resource efficiency, FoodDrinkEurope, is working closely with partners
under the multi-stakeholder initiative, the European Food Sustainable Consumption and
Production Round Table2, and has developed the ENVIFOOD Protocol3 on the assessment
of the environmental impact of food and drink products, where water plays an important part.
The Protocol provides guidance on how to manage impact on water use when developing
Life Cycle Assessments on food and drink products.
Speaking on the occasion of the United Nation’s annual World Water Day, FoodDrinkEurope
President, Jesús Serafín Pérez commented:
“Europe’s food and drink manufacturers continue to lead the way in efficient water
management. With initiatives such as the ENVIFOOD Protocol, our industry proves its
commitment to the long-term sustainability of the food chain, where water plays a
fundamental part. The importance of such efforts is highlighted in the context of this World
Water Day, with FoodDrinkEurope placing water efficiency as one of the key priorities of
achieving smart, green growth as an industry.”
1
http://sustainability.fooddrinkeurope.eu/uploads/sectionimages/USE_SustainabilityReport_LDFINAL_11.6.2012.pdf
2
www.food-scp.eu
3
http://www.food-scp.eu/files/ENVIFOOD_Protocol_Vers_1.0.pdf
FoodDrinkEurope looks forward to the continuing implementation of national, sectoral and
corporate guidance on good water management as well as support for innovation and
investment in water-efficient management systems and technologies.
-ENDS-
For further information:
Eleni Giannakaki
Fintan Hastings
Communications Manager
EP Relations & Communications Manager
Phone: +32 2 508 10 24
Phone: +32 2 549 56 03
[email protected]
[email protected]
FoodDrinkEurope represents Europe’s food and drink industry, Europe’s largest manufacturing sector
in terms of turnover, employment and value added. FoodDrinkEurope works with European and
international institutions, in order to contribute to the development of a legislative and economic
framework addressing the competitiveness of industry, food quality and safety, consumer protection
and respect for the environment. FoodDrinkEurope's membership consists of 26 national federations,
including 3 observers, 25 European sector associations and 17 major food and drink companies. For
more information on FoodDrinkEurope and its activities, please visit: www.fooddrinkeurope.eu