Sustainability Challenges and Opportunities in Northern Ireland’s Food and Drink Industry

The Food And Drink Industry In Northern Ireland Is Facing Some Big Challenges, But There Are Also Some Exciting Opportunities On The Horizon. A Recent Report By KPMG Sustainable Futures And The Northern Ireland Food And Drink Association (NIFDA) Has Highlighted The Key Issues And Opportunities In The Sector.

The Report, Titled ‘Balancing Act’, Takes A Close Look At The Environmental, Social, And Governance (ESG) Agenda In The Food And Drink Industry. It’S No Surprise That Decarbonisation Is A Top Priority For Businesses In This Sector, With 74% Of Respondents Identifying It As Their Highest Priority. Waste Reduction And Circular Economy Initiatives Also Rank High On The List Of Priorities.

One Of The Positive Findings Of The Report Is That 83% Of Firms In The Industry Have Dedicated Teams Working On Sustainability. These Teams Are Driving Initiatives Such As Investing In Renewable Energy, Setting Science-Based Targets, And Making Advancements In Food Labelling And Nature Protection.

Despite These Positive Steps, There Are Significant Challenges Ahead. The Report Points To A Lack Of Capital Investment Support And A Political Vacuum In Northern Ireland As Major Obstacles To Progress. Many Members Of NIFDA Believe That There Is Not Enough Funding Support For Sustainability Initiatives, And They Also Feel That Clear Policy Direction Is Needed To Address Environmental Challenges.

Michael Bell OBE, Executive Director Of NIFDA, Emphasised The Importance Of Sustainability In The Industry. He Highlighted The Need For Collaboration Across The Supply Chain And Stressed The Industry’S Commitment To Leveraging New Technologies For More Efficient And Sustainable Processes.

The Report Also Sheds Light On The Impact Of Political Instability On Sustainability Efforts. Without Stable Politics And The Right Support, Achieving Emissions Reduction Targets And Implementing Sustainability Projects Will Be A Significant Challenge.

Russell Smyth, Head Of Sustainable Futures At KPMG Ireland, Acknowledged The Industry’S Commitment To Sustainability But Also Stressed The Need For Further Support And Technological Innovation To Achieve Long-Term Sustainability.

The Full Report, ‘Balancing Act – Assessing Current Sustainability Opportunities And Challenges For The Northern Ireland Food & Drink Sector’, Is Available On The NIFDA Website: [KPMG_NIFDA-Report_FINAL_DIGITAL-VERSION.Pdf](Https://Nifda.Co.Uk/Wp-Content/Uploads/2023/11/KPMG_NIFDA-Report_FINAL_DIGITAL-VERSION.Pdf)